Mindfulness
Mindfulness is the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us.
Mindfulness is a technique that has become very popular, but there is still a lot of doubts about what it really is and how it can help us on a day to day basis. In this article, we give advice on how to practice it and we will tell you how it can help us to have a fuller and happier life.
Being a teen can be really stressful! Mindfulness is a powerful way to handle stress, and live life more fully. Mindfulness is all about living fully in the present moment, without judgment, and with an attitude of kindness and curiosity. It’s about breathing, noticing what’s happening right here and now, sending a gentle smile to whatever you’re experiencing in this moment (whether it’s easy or difficult), and then letting it go. You can be mindful anytime, anywhere, no matter what you’re doing.
Mobile Apps
Breath Dr. Vo helped to develop this mindfulness app for youth with the Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre (British Columbia, Canada). Free for Apple and Android mobile devices!
Stop, Breathe, and Think: Web and mobile app for youth, with meditations for mindfulness and compassion.
Calm.com: Free website and mobile app with guided meditation and relaxation exercises.
Insight Timer: Free mobile app with virtual “bells” to time and support your meditations, and access to lots of guided meditations by many different meditation teachers (including Dr. Vo).
MindShift: Free mobile app for teens developed by AnxietyBC, with mindfulness and other coping skills for anxiety.
Smiling Mind: Free mobile mindfulness app for young people, from Australia.
Headspace: “Meditation made simple.” This app has a free introductory period, after which it requires a paid subscription to continue to use.