Meditate the summer blues away
Summer can be an awesome time to enjoy your family, filled with long days, late nights, and plenty of outdoor fun. But not without its challenges: the scorching heat, disrupted sleep schedules, restless kids, and the inevitable grumpiness that follows. For most of us, managing these summertime blues can be overwhelming. I have recently found that a short and quick medidation session can be a lifesaver in helping both parents and children find our calm amidst the chaos. I know you’re thinking there’s no way to get my kid to sit still and meditate but I think if you leave onto an app - their favourite thing in the world - to help guide it, it can actually work!
When the days are hot and sticky, tempers can flare more easily, and when bedtime is pushed back to enjoy those extra hours of daylight, overtired kids can become extra cranky (and so can the parents missing more and more that ALONE time). Add in the frustration of being cooped up indoors when the weather is too extreme, and you’ve got a recipe for some serious family grumpiness.
Meditation is such a simple but productive way for managing stress and emotions. It helps calm the mind, improve focus and give an overall “everyone take a moment” vibe - things invaluable for both parents and children dealing with the summer madness. I like to use Headspace because makes it easy to add meditation into the family activities. It has guided sessions tailored to different age groups, it helps kids eventually learn to recognise and manage emotions and helps them to cope with the ups and downs of their day. So I’m all for something that helps me out now, during the summer bbq we’re all sitting on but also help give them a tool to help them deal with ever coming new stresses in life!
I’ve been using the “Calm Under 5” as a little lifesaver when that screen goes off and the separation anxiety kicks in. Also the “Appreciation Under 5” is another family favourite. But loads more to explore from and the kids like it! Everyone knows that Andy voice that calms you down immediately and it’s become a fun little thing we do together, not at all a chore!
Personally, I also enjoy these meditation sessions. Taking a few minutes each day together to meditate it helps me recharge and calm - like that advice of taking a few breaths before exploding advice we always hear. I definitely find myself being more patient and understanding, even when the kids are being…difficult. It also can help give an overall more serene vibe to the household, as a change to the ever moving furniture and tipped-over drawers.
I’m not claiming here that my household is some Buddist temple and we’re all just floating around on clouds pleasing and thanking each other - but - it does help. Sometimes long term, sometimes as a response to a meltdown, sometimes as a recovery treatment to a meltdown. The chaos is still there and thriving, I’ve embraced it, I know you have too - you have to let go! I’m just saying I’ve enjoyed this little treat of minutes in the day and sharing it you good people.