Mindfulness for busy parents who don ’t have time

I know the last thing you need is another item on your to-do list. If you’re a parent — especially a parent of a child with a medical condition — your time, energy and resources are already spread precariously thin. You’re exhausted. You’re worried. And you have no idea what’s coming next. It’s hard enough to show up for life’s daily challenges without the added task of trying to learn mindfulness. But here’s the thing about mindfulness: It holds space for you to feel that exhaustion; that worry and that uncertainty. Mindfulness acknowledges the churning waves, while helping you access a place of inner stillness deep down below the surface. Once you get there, research shows, your blood pressure is lower and your immunity to disease is higher. You’re less anxious and more grounded. You respond, rather than react, to stressful situations. Because of the physical, mental and emotional benefits, mindfulness has become a billion-dollar industry. It’s in books and on apps. It’s taught in classrooms and corporations. But what is it, exactly? Mindfulness is paying attention, with compassion, to the present moment. Rather than dwelling on the past or fretting about the future, you’re resting fully and non-judgmentally in the now. Here are three quick and simple techniques to help get you there. Each takes less than one minute. 1. Label and locate the tough stuff. While it’s human nature to resist feelings of fear, frustration and sadness, studies show that...
Source: Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tags: Health & Wellness Mental Health Parenting meditation mindfulness positive thinking Source Type: news