What is Mindfulness?
You may have recently come across the buzz word, Mindfulness. Research has supported using this strategy to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, as well as increase concentration, empathy, and productivity. Although there are many definitions and interpretations of mindfulness, Greater Good Science Center (GGSC) out of the University of California, Berkeley, defines mindfulness as "maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, and surrounding environment, through a gentle, nurturing lens. Mindfulness also involves acceptance, meaning that we pay attention to our thoughts and feelings without judging them—without believing, for instance, that there’s a “right” or “wrong” way to think or feel in a given moment. When we practice mindfulness, our thoughts tune into what we’re sensing in the present moment rather than rehashing the past or imagining the future (retrieved from GGSC, 2018)."
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WHy is it important?
As our culture grows in complexity, it is becoming more and more essential to understand ourselves so we can understand our impact on others. When we understand our emotions in any given moment, we can better understand our actions related to our emotion. Dedicating specific time to slow down and recognize our emotions will give us power to choose a positive outlet for any emotion. Mindfulness is an excellent tool for practicing this skill!
This video also gives a wonderful explanation on why becoming mindful is an important part of mental wellness.
If you have any further questions or concerns about mindfulness or would like more information, please reach out to Katie Aldama at katiealdama@iusd.org.
Try it!
Here are some sites that you can use at home and some that we use here at school. This is an excellent way for you and your child to work on becoming mindful together!