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This post is part of a series designed to help Homeschool families with their overall Mindset through meditation and mindfulness. Be sure to check out the other posts in the series:
Mindful eating
Have you ever considered practicing mindful eating in your homeschool? If not, you should!
Mindful eating is an important life skill for your children to learn, and it’s one that can have a lasting impact on their physical, emotional, and mental health. Mindful eating is all about being aware of how and why we eat and being present during the entire process. (i.e. – No screens while eating)
It involves slowing down and paying attention to our internal signals of hunger and fullness, being mindful of our food choices, and avoiding distractions while we eat.
When practiced in your homeschool, mindful eating can help teach your children good eating habits and better nutrition. It can also help them develop a healthier relationship with food. Mindful eating can even help reduce stress and anxiety levels and can be a great way to bond with your children.
How to begin Mindful Eating
To begin practicing mindful eating in your homeschool, start by encouraging your children to take their time while eating. Remind them to pay attention to how their food looks, smells, and tastes. Ask them to think about where their food came from and why they are eating it. You can even take this a step further and discuss the nutritional benefits of the food they are eating.
Further, you can also encourage your children to eat without distractions. This means turning off the TV and cell phones and sitting down at the table together to eat as a family. This encourages your children to engage in conversation and be present in the moment.
Overall, mindful eating is a great way to teach your children about healthy eating and nutrition. It can help them become more aware of their feelings and hunger and fullness signals and can help create a positive relationship between them and food. It’s a great life skill to practice in your homeschool and one that can have a lasting impact on your children.
Ideas for getting started with mindful eating
1. Start by taking a few moments before each meal to notice how you are feeling and to acknowledge your hunger level.
2. Set an intention for your meal and be mindful of your food choices.
3. Chew your food thoroughly, savoring the flavors and textures.
4. Set your utensils down in between bites to help you slow down and be mindful of what you are eating.
5. Eat in a peaceful environment, free from distractions.
6. Take occasional pauses throughout your meal to check in with your hunger and fullness levels.
7. Be mindful of the emotions that come up with eating and practice non-judgment.
8. Choose foods that nourish your body and satisfy your hunger.
9. Develop a positive relationship with food by recognizing it as sustenance and nourishment.
10. End your meal with gratitude and an appreciation for the food you just enjoyed.
Some tools to help your mindful eating journey
Mindful Exercise
Exercise is something you might not immediately associate with mindfulness, particularly in ways to help you be more mindful. But the mind and body are intimately connected. What affects one affects the other. This makes exercise a great way to improve mindfulness.
Mindful movement and mindful activities are common variations of the more common mindful meditation practice people usually start with. The purpose of these activities is to learn to be mindful while doing them. Mindful activities can include all forms of exercise.
How to begin with mindful exercise
Mindful exercise involves using the physical body to cultivate awareness and presence. This can be done in many different ways, such as yoga, tai chi, qigong, walking, and dancing.
Mindful exercise can help to connect mind and body and provide a sense of calmness and balance. It can also help to reduce stress, improve focus, and increase energy levels.
Incorporating mindful exercise into your homeschool routine can be beneficial in many ways. It can help to improve concentration and focus, allowing your children to better engage with their studies. It can also help to build a sense of connection between you and your children, as well as build confidence and self-awareness.
Furthermore, mindful exercise can help to reduce stress and anxiety and create a calmer and more relaxed environment for learning.
Making Mindful Exercise part of your routine
There are many ways to incorporate mindful exercise into your homeschool routine. One way is to begin each homeschool day with a few minutes of mindful exercise. This can be done as a family or individually, depending on the needs of your children.
You can also use mindful exercise as a transition between different activities or as a way to refocus after a break. Additionally, you can use mindful exercise as a reward or incentive for children who have completed their assigned tasks.
Mindful exercise in your homeschool routine can be a powerful way to cultivate presence, focus, and connection. Mindful exercise can help to reduce stress, anxiety, and distraction, while also providing an opportunity to build connection and self-awareness. With a few minutes of mindful exercise each day, you and your children can benefit from its calming and energizing effects.
Ideas for getting started with mindful exercise
1. Start with a mindful walk: Take a walk with the intention of being present and aware. Notice the feel of the ground beneath your feet, the sights and sounds of your environment, and your breath as you walk.
2. Try yoga: Yoga combines physical poses with mindful breathing and meditation. It can help you become more aware of your body, your breath, and your movements.
3. Take a dance class: Dance is a great way to move your body and be mindful. Find a style of dance you enjoy and move with intention, focusing on the sensations and movements of your body.
4. Join a mindfulness-based exercise group: Look for a group that focuses on mindful exercises, such as a mindful running group or a yoga class specifically designed to be mindful.
5. Use apps to practice mindful exercise: Apps such as Headspace and Calm offer guided mindfulness exercises, including mindful running and yoga.
6. Try tai chi: Tai chi is a slow, gentle practice that combines movement and meditation. It can help you become more aware of your body and your breath.
All of these are examples of simple, easy, low-intensity “exercises” that will give you the same mental and some of the physical benefits that come with intense workouts. A 15 or 20-minute walk three days a week is enough to improve your mindfulness abilities.
Some tools to help your mindful exercise journey:
I hope by raising awareness of mindful eating and exercising practices you and your children are improving your overall mindfulness and meditation practices. Be sure to check out the other posts in this series:
HOMESCHOOL MINDSET, MEDITATION and MINDFULNESS – that’s a lot of Ms!
EASY MEDITATION PRACTICES FOR YOUR HOMESCHOOL
EASY WAYS TO ADD MINDFULNESS JOURNALING AND AFFIRMATIONS TO YOUR HOMESCHOOL
TRY THIS EASY GRATITUDE PRACTICE FOR A MORE MINDFUL HOMESCHOOL
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