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Lots of Time at Home? Use These 6 Tips to Bring Mindfulness Into Your Family Activities

Mindfulness is a wonderful practice and a popular buzzword these days. And yes, practicing mindfulness is easy while out for a walk, or sitting still, or on your yoga mat.

But what about those times when you are in the midst of activity and surrounded by people who you may not always feel very mindful around?

Like . . . your family.

Have you found yourself spending more time at home with your partner/spouse/children? How do you stay mindful during normal everyday, sometimes noisy, family activities?
 

As Mother Teresa famously said, “What can you do to promote world peace? Go home and love your family.”

 
Is it possible for family activities such as cooking, playing, cleaning, or homework to be peaceful, happy, and mindful moments in your day? Can you continue practicing mindfulness through it all? Can you practice family mindfulness?

Curious to learn more? Here’s How Mindfulness Actually Works + A Practice You Should Try The Next Time You’re Feeling Off
 
 

Family Mindfulness – Use These 6 Tips for Practicing Mindfulness in Your Everyday Family Activities:

 

1. Take Your Time and Cultivate Patience

Rushing any activity will always lead to stress, arguments, and (in my case) usually a clumsy drop or forgetting something. Be aware of how much time you have and use all of that time.

The more you rush, the less you get done. So if you are preparing tea or baking with your children, take time. And allow a little extra time.

I promise you, with mindfulness more will get done in the same amount of time. By allowing for time, your patience will not be tested and you can accept little hiccups that may occur. So take your time and cultivate patience.
 

 
 

2. Be Playful

Play is the ultimate source of creativity. I taught my son how to change a duvet cover. He (obviously) climbed inside and played as a ghost. If you are abiding by tip number one, you will have time for these precious playful moments that will become the memories that last a lifetime.

It is in these moments that memories are made and you are present and mindful of your time together.

When teaching your family to do mundane household chores, it needs to be fun, otherwise they will not want to do the chores again. (Who wants to do boring jobs? No one!)

Be playful, find the fun – it is all there for you. Be led by your children.

Which takes us to . . .
 

3. Think Outside the Box

Doing things differently is FUN. Practicing mindfulness within family activities is always going to be tested if you do things the same way over and over again. You will just go on autopilot.

Again, be led by your children and family to do things differently. Find new ways. Allow your children and partner to express themselves freely within the family environment.

Want to practice family mindfulness with your children? Here are 15 Fantastic Ways to Teach Mindfulness to Kids
 

4. Breathe

The yogi inside of you can easily be tested during family activities, and when the self-expression, playfulness, and patience are wearing thin, the easiest way to bring you back into the present moment and a feeling of peace is to breathe.

Five deep breaths, in and out through your nose, will be enough to stimulate your vagus nerve and have you feeling calmer.

Remember, if you’re not okay, your family won’t be either, so look after your own peace of mind and health first.

Self-care is invaluable during times of stress, so take that bubble bath, go for a walk, meditate, but above all, BREATHE.

Looking for more self-care inspiration? Here Are 6 Essential Self-Care Practices That Will Help Reduce Your Anxiety
 

5. Don’t Worry About Perfection

There is no such thing.

Routine, diet, screen time, blah blah. These are words constantly thrown about, with judgements piled on each. None of that matters. Every family finds their own way with their own routines.

When my son’s school closed, I became concerned about routine, and trying to get him to stick to the timetable as much as possible. Then I realized that I’m not meant to be his school teacher. He doesn’t see me as his school teacher.
 

 
 
His home is not his school. He is currently dealing with other issues such as being cut off from friends and family, why add to his stresses by trying to be his teacher?

And so we found our own timetable, it is much more fun and relaxed and we still get school work done.

Find what works for you, not what someone else does.
 

6. Talk AND Be Silent

Yes, they both matter.

Keep communication open. To be mindful of each other and how you are feeling is only possible with open communication. Whether an activity is enjoyable, or could be done differently all needs to be discussed, so talk.

Talk about worries, as well as joyful things but equally give each other space and respect each other’s need for silence.

When you’re out on a walk, you may chat, or fall into silence – both are perfect.
 
 

The Value of Practicing Mindfulness During Family Time

However you spend your time together, as a family, these are some of the most precious moments you will EVER have.

Your children are young for such a small amount of time, and moments together – no matter how small – need to be valued, loved, and respected.
 

By using family mindfulness, you will have time for these precious playful moments that will become the memories that last a lifetime.

 
To be mindful during these activities will cement them to the memory bank and “slow down” time. Family mindfulness is really a practice worth adopting.

As Mother Teresa famously said, “What can you do to promote world peace? Go home and love your family.”

Want a Zenned Out Homelife? Try These 5 Mindfulness Techniques With Your Family

 

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15 Fantastic Ways to Teach Mindfulness to Kids
Children who practice mindfulness have better moods and have higher self-esteem. Here are 15 mindfulness activities for kids.
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Joanne Moules

Jo specializes in teaching yoga to children with special needs and teens under 18. She also mentors and supports other like-minded goddesses to achieve their goals. When not teaching, coaching, or writing, you'll find Jo at home with her son playing at amateur dramatics and eating Indian food.

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