We often talk about building self-awareness in our kids, but what about in ourselves, as parents and caregivers?
The better we understand our own complexities, the more wholeheartedly we can show up for our children. In fact, research shows that when a parent understands themselves better, the child has better overall life outcomes. Read more ›
In any moment as parents, we can choose to react or let it go. Putting space between you and your reaction allows you to respond with kindness—both to your children, and to other parents. Read more ›
For parents, being self-aware is key for connecting to their kids. When parents aren’t self-aware, they might get caught up in their own emotions instead of being present with their children. They also might not recognize that they’re unconsciously repeating the patterns of their own childhoods in their parenting today. Read more ›
A Stanford study shows that taking a few slow, deep breaths significantly reduces children’s physiological arousal in everyday settings. Read more ›
Our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are all connected. What we think can affect how we feel and act. And what we do can affect how we think and feel. Changing one can help change the others. We can use this fact to help ourselves feel better and live the way we want to live. Read more ›
What is mindfulness, really, and does it even make a difference?
Listen in to this Voices of Compassion podcast episode as we talk with Jennifer Salomon, Occupational Therapist at CHC, about the physiology of mindfulness and practical ways to be more present (even for skeptics). Because “as soon as we tune in and recognize that we’re not being mindful, we’re already being mindful.” Read more ›
Now that 2021 is here, many are looking for new ways to manage stress. Although mindfulness and meditation are not new – there is evidence suggesting that humans have been practicing meditation for more than 5,000 years – many are turning to these techniques to improve overall well-being. Read more ›
You may be wondering why mindfulness is important for your child. Mindfulness gives kids the habit of focusing on the present moment and ignoring distractions, promotes happiness and patience by lowering social anxiety and stress, teaches them to stay calm in the face of life’s stressful times, improves attentiveness and impulse control, creates good habits for the future, and so much more. Read more ›
If you’ve heard of or read about mindfulness meditation — also known as mindfulness — you might be curious about how to practice it. Find out how to do mindfulness exercises and how they might benefit you. Read more ›
To say that COVID-19 has been an emotional roller coaster is an understatement. Now, for a moment, try to forget all of that. Breathe in and out a few times. If your mind wanders, just notice that, accept that your mind has wandered, and refocus on your breathing.
That’s a bare bones example of mindfulness, an approach to dealing with stress that can involve a simple form of meditation—although it doesn’t have to—or a variety of other techniques that help you slow down. Read more ›
