More Mindfulness and Breathing Techniques for Grandkids and Grandparents

I think we all need this now...another blog about mindfulness and handling stress.

It's true. I was watching the national news the other night and there was a report about the US being the most stressed country in the world. Can you imagine? According to a recent Gallup poll, Americans are feeling stressed and overwhelmed--even angry. (I've posted the magazine article at the end of this blog.)

And then this on a Facebook page I follow called, The Daily Positive: "The world we live in IS changing faster than our minds have evolved to handle. And we are all getting to learn how to be more conscious and careful than ever before as to how we learn to manage our emotions and train our minds to handle all this energy it's taking on." Tara Wagner (I've included this website at the end of my blog.)

I've done a couple of blogs about teaching our grandchildren how to handle stress in this modern world we live in. With these two news reports, it got me to thinking that I also need to stress with my grandkids that how to handle stress is a LIFE SKILL. They need to learn it now and carry the techniques with them their entire life.

All of you grandparents knew how to deal with stress in your childhood--you rode your bike or climbed a tree. I'm betting you still get out in nature even if it's just to take a walk.

As I was researching online for tips for children on how to deal with stress, I found a wonderful poster on a website I'll include at the end of this blog. It had some great ideas for kids on dealing with anxiety including~

• Create some art
• Climb a tree
• Make and play with slime
• Journal time
• Play outside

I realized my grands do so many of these activities, and I know you grandparents have seen your grands involved in these things too. In fact, you probably encourage many of these things when they visit your home. 

Grandson loves to play with his Legos, and it's a great way to relieve stress.

Journaling is another stress-buster for kids and teens.

Putting together a puzzle? Another stress-reliever.

Point out to your grandchildren that these things they enjoy doing can help them deal with stress. Instead of yelling at your big sister, or picking on your little brother, go to your room and get out your Legos or do a puzzle. Calming down is a skill they need their entire life.

So I took a page from my teacher book, and my grandson and I made a book with tips on dealing with stress. You might want to consider doing this with your kids, grandkids, and great-grandchildren. Such a nice token when you've been sent to your room for an inappropriate outburst. (Insert chuckle here.) Just grab your "Calm Down" book you made with your grandma or grandpa.  Here's the one we made:

Make a book about dealing with stress~

The cover of our book. He helped me with the coloring and writing.

More tips in his book: build something or put together a puzzle.

Reminders in his book about the grounding technique as well as doing some yoga.

Two more pages about breathing techniques: the 4-7-8 method as well as "Take 5."

The little book we made for him to take home.

And more!

I also found a great little book at the bookstore entitled, "Breathe with Me," by Mariam Gates. In it she describes various breathing techniques with such names as, rainbow breath, dandelion breath, counting breath, and belly breath. It's a good book.

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And there you have it! More tips for your youngsters to learn and use to deal with the stress of our modern-day world. I bet you can use some of these too. I know I do!

​​www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/americans-are-some-most-stressed-out-people-world-reporting-negative-emotions-highest-rates-decade-180972047/

​www.thedailypositive.com/3-step-process-for-overcoming-anxiety/

​www.pinterest.com/pin/282037995400650555/

​And how to make that neat little 8-page booklet with NO STAPLES~

​www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Booklet-from-Paper

My previous blog with mindfulness and breathing techniques for kids. It includes the handouts that we used in our book. Write me via my "Contact Page" and I'll send the handouts.

​www.gigisseasonings.com/blog/teaching-your-grands-mindfulness-to-deal-with-this-modern-world

Finally, another great book to read to your kids:

"Breathe with Me. Using Breath to Feel Strong, Calm, and Happy," by Mariam Gates. Illustrated by Sarah Jane Hinder