It feels like I’ve been speaking lots about unpleasant emotions lately and how to find some comfort in them and then I had a few days I just couldn’t shift my grumpy, short tempered mood that did result in me flipping my lid.
Mindfulness is an amazing way to help us to regulate our emotions, and to be comfortable within all of them. This is a passion of mine, and I’m still learning. Mindfulness allows the mind to relax and be connected instead of in a constant state of stress, because when we are stressed our flight/fight/freeze response is activated. When this is activated we are unable to access all areas of our brain so we are less reasonable and logical. The perfect example is a child having a tantrum, there is no reasoning that can be given in the heat of the moment, their brain is disconnected even if it is very logical. Their brain needs to be connected and calm to see the logic.
I highly recommend any Dan Siegel information to understand our brain a little more to support ourselves and of course our little cherubs that are navigating these unpleasant emotions. Dan is an amazing soul with loads of information on the web and books, below are a few links that are my favourite.
- You tube – 16 min - Mindfulness and Neural Integration
- You tube – 3 min - Flipping your lid explanation
- Book - The Whole Brain Child – has great information in a simple to read format and even includes cartoons to help the kids understand their brain.
Below are some of the mindfulness activities I enjoy to bring calmness into my life and have turned to when I experience unpleasant emotions:
Mindfulness is an amazing way to help us to regulate our emotions, and to be comfortable within all of them. This is a passion of mine, and I’m still learning. Mindfulness allows the mind to relax and be connected instead of in a constant state of stress, because when we are stressed our flight/fight/freeze response is activated. When this is activated we are unable to access all areas of our brain so we are less reasonable and logical. The perfect example is a child having a tantrum, there is no reasoning that can be given in the heat of the moment, their brain is disconnected even if it is very logical. Their brain needs to be connected and calm to see the logic.
I highly recommend any Dan Siegel information to understand our brain a little more to support ourselves and of course our little cherubs that are navigating these unpleasant emotions. Dan is an amazing soul with loads of information on the web and books, below are a few links that are my favourite.
- You tube – 16 min - Mindfulness and Neural Integration
- You tube – 3 min - Flipping your lid explanation
- Book - The Whole Brain Child – has great information in a simple to read format and even includes cartoons to help the kids understand their brain.
Below are some of the mindfulness activities I enjoy to bring calmness into my life and have turned to when I experience unpleasant emotions:
- Focusing on my breath more, even just a few breaths.
- Get outdoors for fresh air and a nice walk even if it just 10 min
- 10 min of yoga
- CROCHET…. I’m a little addicted.
- Affirmations like – Nourish my mind and body with food, movement and connection. This one is in my diary this week.
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Some other techniques that are great for children and adults alike are:
- Smiling mind meditations
- Colouring – do it together
- An activity that allows you to focus on just that be it lego, dancing, singing, craft
- Books
- In my heart
- When I’m feeling series (a small series at Kmart for $10)
- Soda Pop Head
 | I hope your still with me, much longer than I wanted it to be. Please know none of us are perfect and I even flipped my lid again this morning, even after I had been for a walk and was feeling great. But I must say it wasn’t as bad as the other day and I have recovered and moved on much more easily. I also remember reading somewhere that if our children don’t see us do it every so often when they are older and their boss or themselves do it they will not know what to do. We are giving them life skills by flipping our lid. But everyday could be a little exhausting for everyone. So I hope you can find some mindfulness in your day today. |
Warmest hugs
Jana xo
Jana xo
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