It's undeniable that our kids are more stressed than ever and that's not what we want as parents. Our ultimate goal is to ensure that our kids are living a happy and healthy life from the moment they are born until they transition into adulthood.
The more that they become exposed to gadgets, television and social media, the more that they grow less focused and prone to throwing a fit when they don't get what they want.
But, did you know that by encouraging your kids to meditate, you are helping them hone one of the most valuable skill that they can ever have? Meditation is beneficial for living a healthy life.
Here at Journali, we love meditating to find our inner sense of stillness. In fact, meditating before or after a journaling session has been quite helpful, especially for our son.
Here are 7 benefits of meditation and why we should encourage kids to meditate:
Healthy self esteem
Meditation can help your self esteem whatever age, so it is extremely beneficial for a growing brain. Meditation can improve children’s feelings of security, empathy and inner stability, and this, in turn, builds compassion, joy and self-esteem. Meditation teaches kids – and adults –that where they are right now is enough.
Improved resilience
Life can knock us down sometimes, and it’s important to build a sense of inner strength. Studies have shown that meditation can help kids bounce back quicker after challenges, such as falling out with a friend or getting a disappointing outcome in school. Meditation can improve resilience in children.
Better focus
It’s always better when children can pay more attention in schools, as their minds can jump around so much. Studies have shown the effects of meditation on attention in adults with and without ADD/ADHD, and there’s some evidence that it can help kids focus, too.
There was a school district in California that expanded its school day by half an hour in some of its “high-risk” schools, to build meditation into the day.
One study showed that children who were taught using the mindfulness-based learning program MindUp (founded by Goldie Hawn!) had higher maths scores and better working memory and were more focused than their control-group counterparts.
A stronger immune system
The benefits of meditating for health are well documented. Studies have shown it can lower blood pressure and boost our immune system, leading to a calmer and happier outlook overall.
An article in Translational Psychiatry studied meditation's effects on the immune system. They found that the effects are more than from just the relaxation element – there seems to be something intrinsic about meditation itself that can shift our gene expression and even boost mood over time.
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5 Ways to Increase Your Child’s Emotional Intelligence Through Journaling
Helps to improve relationships
Relationships are the foundation of our lives, and because of this we understand the concept behind it– compassion. Meditation can help children develop this important core value.. Through meditation, children have the ability to become more understanding and listen to others, which helps nurture their relationships.
Because kids are generally more willing and receptive, it means that they’re curious and willing to embrace new things, and they're honest about what disinterests them. Meditation is something you can start with kids at an early age.
Calm emotions
One study showed that elementary school-aged children who took an eight-week meditation class had lower levels of aggression and social anxiety. If you have a child that struggles with their emotions, meditation can be very effective.
Increased empathy
With this newfound calm, empathy can be built. By taking a step back from their reactions through meditation, kids can learn to become less reactive and instead show more empathy.
Studies have shown that meditating can build your empathy and compassion muscle, leading to overall feelings of wellbeing and more harmonious connections.