The winter season is here… What better time to slow down, reflect, and cultivate mindfulness? Mindfulness can be fun and relaxing for people of all ages. Here are a few ideas for holiday mindfulness activities for you and your family…
Get outside
Go outside into the sunlight and fresh air and connect with your body and the natural world. This can help you and your family feel more grounded and present. If you walk or hike together, consider setting an intention to talk or think about what you are grateful for and what you’d like to work on in the new year.
Engage your senses
When you go out in the backyard or go for a walk, begin to consciously open up your senses. Note 5 things you see, 4 things you hear, 3 things you touch, 2 things you smell, and 1 thing you taste. This simple activity can help us be more aware of ourselves and what’s around us.
Inspire awe
Find a natural object, such as a leaf of a plant or an ant crawling along the ground. Look at each object closely, engage your sense of curiosity, and take in all of its detail, including its texture, color, and shape. This kind of focused attention may inspire a feeling of awe. Even brief experiences of awe have been found to help people find common ground with others and become less extreme in their thinking. If you’d like, you can try to sketch out your object on paper!
Read together
Parents can carefully select books for their children that help them learn and grow. Here’s a couple of children’s picture books about mindfulness that may inspire your young child:
Noticing by Kobi Yamada
Tisha and the Blossoms by Wendy Meddour
Take pictures
Photography is an excellent way to practice mindfulness, quiet mental chatter, and see or observe clearly. You don’t need a fancy camera to take photos. A phone or disposable camera will do. Go outside, get curious, and see what you notice. Check out this Intuition Wellness Center blog that describes some simple photography activities you can do with your family.
Dance together
While some are shy about dancing, dancing together as a family can help kids and parents cultivate body and emotional awareness. You can turn on some music or dance to your own internal rhythms. Try following your child’s movements, and then allow your child to follow you. Mindful dancing is fun!
All of us here at Intuition Wellness Center wish you and your family a happy holiday season and the very best in the new year! At Intuition Wellness Center, we specialize in health and wellness services for children, young adults, and their families. If you think you would like some extra support, we’re here for you.
