Why the practice of mindfulness is so important for children
When teacher Trina Markusson noticed that her son Zachary?s worrying was beginning to give him stomach aches, she realized that he needed some techniques to help him cope with stress and anxiety. The two began practising a daily mindfulness routine that consisted of six tools used to calm the physical symptoms of stress. These six exercises now comprise her debut children?s book, Good Morning, Sunshine! A Story of Mindfulness, which teaches children and parents alike how the practice of mindfulness can stop the stream of stressful thoughts and help you regain power over your emotions.
Photo: Your Nickel’s Worth Publishing
?Mindfulness means paying attention to the present moment,? says Markusson, who has been studying mindfulness and stress reduction for the past 15 years. She has been sharing what she?s learned about living in the present with thousands of adults and children through classrooms and conferences. Markusson believes that, though Good Morning, Sunshine! A Story of Mindfulness is written for kids, it?s equally helpful for parents, caregivers and teachers. ?We have so many perfect moments we miss each day because we?re stuck in thoughts that can take us away from the present moment,? she says. Markusson describes these as ?past thoughts,? in which we replay something that has already happened, and ?future thoughts,? the what-ifs and worries over things that are yet to come. ?If we spend our time thinking about the future or replaying past hurts, we?re mi...
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