Anxious Kids and Meditation

Canada.com has an article posted that explores the benefits of meditation when it comes to children.

I’ve been a parent for a very, very long time, and I’ve often found it challenging to corral my kids long enough for lunch, let alone meditation. But I digress.

There’s no doubt that being a kid today differs significantly from growing up in different eras, such as me growing up in the 60s. The world is a much different place, from amount (and avenues) of stimulation to peer pressure to the ever-changing structure of the family.

Looking back at my youth, most of my stress and feelings of pressure were generated in one of three places – school (grades), family issues, and social situations. There was a lot of interplay between them, and as I look at my kids today, there isn’t a lot of difference (in my mind, anyway) in where they see their stress sources. Obviously, social pressures are probably more exacerbated today, but it could be safely ventured that with the advent of online communities and social media sites, finding others with similar interests and issues is easier than ever before. It’s much more difficult now to feel like you’re the only one who is experiencing something.

Nowhere within formal education is coping with anxiety and stress championed or instructed. Many times it’s up to guidance counselors and school psychologists / behavioralists to act on referrals from teachers or parents to engage with a student exhibiting the signs of anxiety. That’s not an optimal model, but it’s better than nothing. However, it can often occur well after the child has been floundering.

One of the things that meditation offers is the ability for kids to disconnect from the world for awhile in a controlled, peaceful manner. It’s unusual to see a child today who isn’t on a cell phone or hand-held game, plugged into an iPod, or otherwise on the receiving end of a constant barrage of stimulus. Having an opportunity to carve out time for reflection and self-awareness is hugely important, especially for teens, who are undergoing so much change that it’s easy to be confused about who you are and where you fit. Learning to be introspective, while time-consuming and a lengthy process, can be enormously beneficial.

Helping kids calm down is something we can all support. Meditation is one way to accomplish that goal.

Meditation helps kids with anxiety