If your child is curious about your meditation practice, or has heard about meditation, try guiding them toward their own daily practice. It could help them evolve into responsible, productive and happy human beings.
Meditation releases tension in the mind, according to a growing number of studies, and with a relaxed mind, we don't react or overreact to things that might have otherwise upset us in the past. Instead, in meditation we see those thoughts objectively, acknowledge them and then let them float away. We don't hold onto them or take things personally.
Here are just three reasons kids should learn to meditate for their wellbeing:
Whether they're at home or school, they can learn to be more mindful of the present moment. When children have a hard time focusing, cry easily, or get overly excited, meditation can help them hone in on only what's in front of them.
With so much pressure to perform in today's world, meditation allows them to relax, breathe, and ground themselves to feel comfortable in their own skin. This helps them better handle stress in the classroom, especially when learning new subjects or taking exams.
The tween/teen years can be an extremely anxious time. Meditation can help center and calm them, making peer pressure less of an issue. Instead, they'll learn to trust their own inner wisdom to guide them through a maze of decisions, while being more mindful of their actions.
Start early, as soon as age 7, and encourage them to join you when you meditate. Younger children can start off with one minute of silence, and set a positive intention for the day, and expand their meditation practice from there.
Then, you might have them add the following. Each of these examples can be approximately five to 20 minutes in length.
This simple meditation will help bring your child into the present moment. First, let your child find a quiet place to meditate, sitting upright in the traditional cross-legged posture to keep from getting sleepy, or in any other position that is comfortable. Sit with eyes closed, hands on thighs and turn their attention inward, focusing on the breath. Breathe naturally, through the nostrils, without controlling the breath, just be a witness to the breath.
Om (pronounced "aum") is the sound of the universe, a sacred, vibrational sound that can slow down the nervous system and calm the mind. One easy meditation is to let kids walk very slowly barefoot in the grass or on the beach, chanting "om" in the mind with each step.
Visualization (Yoga Nidra)
Create a kids mini version of this guided meditation, which brings deep relaxation and helps tremendously at bedtime. Like a yoga bedtime story, have them visualize what they want to achieve the next day or week and create positive intentions for success.
Meditation benefits can happen immediately or over time, but starting them at a young age can help focus their lives in a positive, grounded direction.
LiveYourVie.com, a website with a growing community that includes experts, partners and influencers on mind, body and soul. The site offers educational and inspirational content, celebrity interviews with doctors, athletes and chefs -- all focused on how to live your healthiest and happiest life. Vie is purpose driven, and donates 10 percent of all profits back to the community in a partnership with the Sylvia Center, an organization which inspires children to eat well -- so that they may lead healthy and productive lives.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.