Mindfulness for Families

"When we practice mindfulness, we're practicing the art of creating space for ourselves-space to think, space to breathe, space between ourselves and our reactions." (www.mindful.org)

What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness means paying full attention to something. It means slowing down to really notice what you're doing.

Being mindful is the opposite of rushing or multitasking. When you're mindful, you're taking your time. You're focusing in a relaxed, easy way.

Mindfulness happens naturally sometimes. Let's say you're getting ready to take a foul shot in basketball. You carefully position your feet at the line. You look up at the hoop and feel the ball in your hands. Taking your time, you bounce the ball a couple of times. You tune out all the other sounds and take your shot. Swoosh — yes! Nicely done.

That calm focus, that way of paying attention to what you're doing, taking your time, taking it easy — that's you being mindful! And being mindful just helped you take your best shot.

Everyday Mindfulness (4:45)

Mindfulness is A Superpower

Being mindful helps you:

pay attention better
be less distractible
learn more
stay calm under stress
avoid getting too upset about things
slow down instead of rush
listen better to others
be more patient
get along better
feel happier and enjoy things more

If this sounds like a superpower, it is! Being mindful helps people in just about every part of life. Learning how to be mindful when you're young gives you a chance to get really good at it and use it always.