There are many benefits of mindfulness for children. For example, it helps children manage stress, build self-esteem, maintain openness, and improve overall well-being.
But what if your kids could access all these benefits at home using just an app?
new coronavirus pandemic
The coronavirus pandemic has forced some dramatic changes, including school closures and lockdowns. Children’s lack of physical access to education prompted a team of researchers at MIT to conduct an interesting study.
In 2020 and 2021, the team set out to investigate the benefits of practicing mindfulness remotely through an app. They believe this will help in dealing with the effects of the pandemic.
“While the impact of the coronavirus is to some extent out of our individual control, our ability to respond to and interpret it may be aided by mindfulness,” said the lead author of the book, a researcher at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. said graduate student Isaac Treves. the study.
Remote mindfulness with children
Researchers found that children who used a mindfulness app from the comfort of their own home for 40 days showed significant improvements in their mental health. These children showed fewer negative emotions such as stress, fear, and loneliness.
This finding suggests that using a mindfulness app at home has the potential to help more children than a school-based approach alone.
Further research
Researchers also wanted to see if mindfulness could help children cope with difficult emotions brought on by the pandemic. To this end, they measured mindfulness in children between the ages of 8 and 10.
The standardized test used assesses self-blame, the tendency to dwell on negative thoughts, and the tendency to suppress emotions.
Children were asked about how COVID-19 had negatively affected their lives and their levels of anxiety, stress, depression and other negative emotions.
emotional management
Researchers observed that the more alert children were, the less their mood was affected by COVID-19. Children who were less attentive took the pandemic harder emotionally. Children in this category have not received any training in mindfulness. It was just how much they cared about nature.
“This paper is our best attempt to consider mindfulness specifically in the context of COVID-19 and consider what factors might help children adapt to changing circumstances. “We did,” Treves said.
“The point here is not that we don’t have to worry about the pandemic because we can help our children with mindfulness. People can only bounce back if they have systems and families that support them. I can.”
Mindfulness training for children
The research team wanted to know if the app could make children more mindful and happier, based on previous research findings. They divided the children from the previous study into three groups of 80 each.
One group received mindfulness training using the Inner Explorer mindfulness app. Another group got an app to listen to audiobooks that weren’t about mindfulness. The third group had a virtual meeting with a facilitator.
The researchers found that all groups’ mental health improved by the end of the study. However, the group that used the mindfulness app, especially the children who practiced the mindfulness exercises, showed the greatest improvement.
Children’s future and mindfulness
Researchers have proven that app-based distance training is beneficial for children. The benefits are even greater with continued exercise and parental involvement.
Mindfulness apps require fewer resources while ensuring a wider reach compared to school-based programs. Children work at their own pace and repeat their favorite exercises.
Learn more about mindfulness
In today’s whirlwind of digital chaos and constant work, mindfulness has emerged as a way to give our cluttered minds a break. It’s not just a trend. It’s a practical response to the confusion we often experience.
As mentioned in the above study on children and mindfulness, incorporating mindfulness into your daily life means actively engaging with the present moment and acknowledging your emotions, thoughts, and bodily sensations without judgment. means to accept. Although this practice is deeply rooted in centuries-old meditative traditions, its relevance resonates more than ever in the cacophony of modern times.
basics
First, let’s dig into what it means for adults and children to practice mindfulness at a basic level. Imagine this. You don’t just sit in a quiet room with your eyes closed. You are choosing to be fully immersed in the here and now, focusing on your breathing, and distracting yourself from the clutter of thoughts that normally flood your mind. Doing so will train your brain to focus on the present and gently bring you back when it drifts into past regrets or future worries.
big advantage
But why is mindfulness important? It’s not about running away from reality, it’s about increasing your responsiveness to reality. Research shows that practicing mindfulness allows you to take an active role in your own health and well-being.
Researchers from a variety of fields have documented the positive impact of mindfulness on reducing stress, improving emotional responses, and enhancing cognitive focus. Additionally, people who practice mindfulness can develop deeper connections with themselves and others, and develop empathy and compassion in their interpersonal relationships.
start small
You don’t have to completely overhaul your lifestyle to incorporate mindfulness into your daily life. Start with small, positive steps. Spend a few minutes each day observing your breathing, consciously paying attention to your surroundings without allowing external pressures to shape your observations.
Approach every task at hand, like doing the dishes or listening to a friend, with full intention and attention. By anchoring your actions with mindfulness, you can find a richer, more resonant quality in even the simplest activities.
Things to be careful about at work
Mindfulness is also extending its influence into professional areas. Companies are increasingly recognizing the value of this practice and are encouraging employees to participate in conscious training to improve productivity and boost workplace morale. Mindfulness reduces burnout and anxiety, paving the way for a more focused, creative, and stress-free environment.
patience and practice
Remember that patience and practice are key to practicing mindfulness. It’s about coming back to the present again and again and building mental resilience and tolerance for the ebbs and flows of life. You are not seeking a vacuum, but rather actively and consciously recognizing and accepting your innermost thoughts and feelings and engaging with them in a healthier, more grounded way. We are creating a space where you can.
Children, teens, and adults all benefit from mindfulness
In summary, mindfulness is not a temporary escape from the chaos of life, but a sustainable practice that allows us to dive into a world of chaos with an anchor of calm and clarity. It’s about actively engaging with the present, a skill that requires cultivation and dedication, and one that brings immeasurable rewards that spill over into every aspect of your personal and professional life. By embracing mindfulness, you can do more than just weather the storm. You are learning to dance in the rain.
The research will be published in a journal Mindfulness.
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