Moments of Mindfulness, oh How We Need You In the summer...

Summer is freedom.
Summer is exploration.
Summer is playful.
Summer is family.
Summer is connecting.

AND soccer, t-ball, swimming, vacations, birthday parties, picnics...the list goes on. For those of us with summers off from school, we find ourselves inadvertently cramming in as much as possible into our “summer of fun.” This can often become even more stressful than the other ten months of the year. Crazy! With that said, here are a few mindfulness based “de-stressing” tips for you - and for your kiddos…

1. Start and end your day with gratitude. Write 3-5 things that you are grateful for in the morning. Use a journal, a chalkboard or your favorite piece of technology. Reflect on the gratitude items from earlier in the day and add 3-5 additional items to your evening list. Keep the list going through the summer. 
2. Start the day with an intention. Reflect on an area of yesterday that brought you stress. Consider what you could do differently if a similar situation arises. Set an intention to do just that today. 
3. Deep breaths! I was feeling the stress this morning as my alarm didn’t go off and I overslept by one hour...instead I awoke to two little girls chattering bedside. As I was telling the twins how stressed I was feeling because “Mommy got up so late,” (side note-remember the days when 6:57am was EARLY and not LATE? I miss those!) my one little gem turned to me with the utmost confidence and said…”Mommy, just take a deep breath. Why don’t you do a car breath...Vroommmm…or a rainbow breath?” I laughed and did just as she told me. And it changed the course of my day!  
4. Put the phone down and just be. That’s it.
5. While exploring something new - whether by yourself or with loved ones - take 2 minutes and integrate all five senses into the experience. You may just find much more to appreciate that you wouldn’t have discovered before. 

Enjoy soaking in the sunshine!!

With love,
Christy Lynn

P.S. If you are looking for a summer challenge, consider getting up 15 minutes earlier and engaging in a 15 minute sit for two weeks straight. Reflect on Day one’s stress level and the stress level on Day 14.  

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