Calming Your Mind
When we feel stressed, our minds tend to jump to the past (I should have...) or to the future (What if...?). The problem is that we cannot change the past nor control the future. Focusing on the present can help us take control of our current situation and help us feel calmer and more relaxed.
Watch this video to learn more about how mindfulness can help you (or your child) be more present and relaxed.
To calm your (or your child’s) mind:
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Look around you, and name five things you see. Pick one object, and describe what it looks like, what color, what size, and what shape it is.
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Look for four things you can touch. Pick one of those items to touch, and describe how it feels.
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Name three things that you can hear. At first, it might seem that there is not much to hear, but listen carefully. Focus on one sound, and describe it.
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Look for two things you can smell. Focus on one smell, and describe it.
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Find one thing you can taste. Focus on the taste and describe it.
You can repeat these steps every time you feel stressed to come back to the present moment.
