Why are kids so stressed today?

Kids today are much more "stressed" and they are much less like "kids" than when I was growing up.  I think that is why we see so many who are prescribed anxiety and depression medicine.  I know that some of it may have to do with nutrition but I think a lot has to do with what is expected of the children of today.

You don't see all the kids outside playing with their friends like they used to.  The consequences are many but we have a higher rate of childhood obesity (due to lack of exercise as well as poor nutrition), increased type 2 diabetes in children, and increased anxiety, depression, and a myriad of other diagnoses.

Today's goal is to get your kids outside and play - if you can get other kids, too, that's even better.  Everyone can play something fun and non-competitive.  If the wind is right, fly a kite : )  Have fun and laugh - enjoy the day!!  Just be and don't worry about "doing"  just for today!  See how it feels and let me know.

Have an incredible day!!

World Laughter Day 2011

Today is the 2011 World Laughter Day.  Laughter Yoga International is set up to help spread world peace through laughter. 

In honor of the day, try to laugh more.   If you find yourself thinking about anything that is stressful or makes you upset, laugh.  That's right, laugh.  Laughter yoga teaches us to laugh for no reason.  Our bodies naturally respond by releasing "feel good" chemicals into our body even when we are faking the laughter!!  So try it.  Laugh in the shower.  Laugh in your car.  Laugh for no reason!!   When you are laughing and feeling good, you will be at peace.  When you are at peace, you will show peacefulness to others.  Enjoy the day and laugh.  Laugh for all of us to hear!! 

Have a fabulous, joyful, laughter-filled day!!

Namaste!

Smile

Do you know that your body doesn't know the difference between a fake smile and a real smile??  That means that when you smile, your brain is releasing neurochemicals that actually elevate your mood.  I know, you don't always feel it immediately but it happens immediately and you can use your own smile as a wonderful stress reliever!!  It's true.  So next time you don't feel like smiling, smile anyway.  Walk around with a huge smile on your face and soon you'll be feeling great!!  (By the way, it helps your kids, too!)

Have a fabulous day!!

Have you ever hugged a tree??

My kids thought I was crazy when I went over and hugged a tree.  I found the biggest tree at the Audubon and went to hug it.  I invited my kids to do the same.  One refused, one reluctantly hugged it, and the third joyously hugged.

I told them that this tree has been around for hundreds of years and has gathered the wisdom of the ages and by hugging it, we can reconnect to that wisdom.  (Okay, my four year old had no idea what I was talking about, I admit it.)  But when asked them what they felt when hugging the tree, they felt good.  They felt love.  They felt a connection to nature that they hadn't experienced before.  Yes, my nine old also said he felt really silly but in a good way.  If mom can let go of what people might think and go hug a tree, then he can, too!!

Try it and let me know what you think.

Have an awesome day!

Spend some time in nature with your children

If you can spend some time with your children outside, away from the TV, computer, and phone, you will benefit not only from the time together but also from nature. Just being in nature and in the fresh air has a way of lifting our spirits and rejuvenating us!  Many time we don't realize the positive effect of just being nature.  That doesn't mean you need to travel to the mountains or the ocean either : )

You can benefit from going to a park, walking on tree-lined street, or if it's feasible going on some type of nature walk.  Look up at the color of the sky and just take it in and enjoy it.   Yes, even if it is cloudy and grey or raining.  It really is magnificent!!  When you are breathing in, imagine pulling the air from a place high up in the sky, filled with love and peace.

Have a spectacular day!!

What are you going to do today??

Many schools are on vacation this week.  What do you have planned to do with your children?  It doesn't really matter what you do as long as you're giving them your full attention.   Giving your children that undivided attention actually builds their self-esteem and makes them feel special and loved.

Too often we are distracted with work or other obligations and don't actually give our children our full attention.  In fact, not much gets our full attention since we are trying to do several things at once!  Take time today (even if it's only a few minutes) to really give your full attention to your children.  Take a few minutes to really quiet your mind and give yourself some attention, too!!  Enjoy the day!

What do we expect from our children?

I know this is not a unique title for my blog but I want to ask it again since I didn't get any responses : ) I also like to ponder this myself. So often we don't sit back and appreciate the uniqueness of each of our children - or any child for that matter. We try to push them into behaving in "acceptable" ways that are often no in line with who they are!

We expect that they will conform to the masses. Is that really what we want? Don't we want more for our kids? Don't we want more for ourselves? Have you bought into this and find yourself limited by your own limiting beliefs? I want you to look around. There are people who have gone beyond what we see as possible for us. We can, too! Our children can, too! I believe the key is not to keep throwing more limiting beliefs at them of what they can and cannot do.

My goal for today is to look at one behavior, for each of my children, that I'd like to stop and find something praiseworthy about it. I'm going to try to find what special quality of theirs is exemplified in this behavior and if I really don't like what they are doing (jumping from high places), perhaps I can find another way to exhibit that quality. Today, I will look for a positive in everything and I invite you to do the same!

Have a wonderful, glorious, positive day!