Mindfulness and Kindness

I have written and talked about mindfulness, extensively, in the past. Today I had a different experience on the subject when I read a quote from mindfulness researcher Lisa Flook of University of Wisconsin: “This is the way of nurturing the seeds of kindness in children.” And, I am sure, it could inculcate that tender emotions in grown ups too.

20% of children in the US have anxiety, a predictor of depression. ADHD show no signs of waning, rather, it has gone from 7% in 2003 to 11% in 2011. 18% of the adult population suffer from anxiety disorders costing us 42 billion dollars every year. These numbers may seem like Goliaths, but, we have been given small stone- mindfulness. Let’s use it. New evidences emerge from the studies on mindfulness on how it reduce anxiety, depression and ADHD. Studies with children (as low as age 4) have shown how these techniques improve the attention and test scores. Mindfulness improved their attitude and awareness; and reduced bullying among children. Deep breathing in mindfulness triggers parasympathetic nervous system stimulating “rest and digest” and “feed and breed” mechanisms. This is opposite to the “fight or flight” stimulation triggered by sympathetic nervous system and shallow breathing.

What is our role in reducing the anxiety and stress in our children? Studies show a high level of stress hormone, cortisol, in children whose teachers reported “burnt out” Stress is contagious; if we are able to deal with our stress better, we trickle its benefits to our children.

Yoga, meditation, pranayama (breathing) techniques, corpse pose (savasana- easiest pose to perform but hardest pose to master), Mindful Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and prayer could all lead you mindfulness. Be mindful; teach children to learn mindfully; train them to be kind to themselves and others; and allow them to discover the genius in them.

Jay