Tag: mindfulness

Three Mindfulness Practices for Back to School Anxiety

Maria Santiago Valentin

Dear Parents,

You can help your child or teen to regulate and shift their energy, for a little more focus. In a month our children will be back at school and here is a list of three practices that help them to slow down:

  1. The 7-11 Breath (Source: Dr. Christopher Willard) – Breathe in through the nose for a count of 7 seconds, hold it for 5 and breathe out for a count of eleven. Repeat 5 times.
  2. Gratitude Practice. At the end of the day, have your child share something they are grateful for. This practice can surprise you with information that you never thought of.
  3. Visit the school. Call the school and explain the purpose of your visit. Take your child/ youth to visit the school, check out the classroom, locker, lunchroom, media center, gym, etc. Rehearse the first day of school.

The goal is to create positive and lasting memories and habits about school and their soon-to-be learning environment.

Mother Nature’s healing power

Isis K. Colon

I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.

quote by John Burroughs, American naturalist and essayist.

“Nature has an inherent ability to heal and restore our weary souls. Encountering the vastness of the mountains, the tranquil melody of birdsong, or the gentle touch of a breeze against our skin can transport us to a place of serenity and inner peace. In nature, we find solace, a respite from the chaos of our daily lives. The symphony of colors in a sunset, the fragrance of a blooming flower, or the rhythm of waves crashing on the shore invigorate our senses, awakening a deep sense of awe and reverence for the natural world. The healing power of nature lies not only in its ability to rejuvenate our physical and mental well-being but also in its capacity to reconnect us with our essence, reminding us of the profound interconnectedness of all living beings.”

Grounding techniques

Image Isis K. Colon

“Grounding techniques are strategies that help connect or “ground” you in the present moment. They’re essentially a form of mindfulness, which has been shown to help many different mental health conditions. A large 2014 reseach review with Trusted Source with nearly 19,000 studies concluded that mindfulness-based stress reduction programs can ease symptoms of anxiety, depression and […]