Mindfulness Monday: Our Children’s Mental Health

My intention in contributing a blog entry on Mindfulness Monday of Children’s Mental Health awareness week was to write about all the active choices we can make and practices we can teach as parents to ensure our children’s mental health.  But a couple of days ago, I witnessed something that has been more influential in what I want to say today.

As my husband, Brian, and I get ready for the day (and get our children prepared as well) we take turns showering, dressing, eating.  I am sure that most of you parents out there do this as well.  It is a precarious balance some days to get life moving in the A.M. with children.  I took my shower and was getting dressed in the bedroom, while Brian was with my daughter, Maya, and son, August, in our living room.  I could hear everything that was going on and as I eavesdropped, my family played.

Maya, who is 2, had engaged the others in a game of “monsters”- not the scary kind, the giggly, roaring, lets-hide-in-the-couch kind.  It was an elaborate scenario that included the 9 month old baby!  They were fully engaged and I felt profoundly lucky to have been able to witness this and overjoyed for my children that their father would be willing to delve so fully and happily into imaginative play.

And this is what I learned:

Sometimes the best way to ensure your children’s mental health might be to abandon the routine.  I honestly could not remember the last time I was completely in the moment with my children the way that things were unfolding in the living room that morning.

My husband may have made a conscious choice to stop all the morning routines that we know are so necessary, but I like to think that his impulse to follow my daughter’s imagination had actually been the mindful choice.

And my choice, that turned out to be mindful as well was to sit back, listen, and appreciate the beauty of my family’s connections to one another.  It is possible that in doing nothing, I had done everything that my children needed.

Today’s Mindfulness Practice Take time to witness your children and what they have to bring to the world.  Listen to who they are, what they want to do, and follow their lead if possible.  Create space for this by designating a time without TV, computers, phones, etc.  You may only need a few moments in a day that is usually very busy.

Post contributed by Elizabeth Dukes. Elizabeth is trained as an art therapist and works as a therapist serving children and their families in South Carolina. She has also worked in community mental health and most recently with children and families affected by childhood trauma and abuse. Elizabeth received a bachelor’s degree from Rhodes College, where she focused on studio art, and a master’s degree from Eastern Virginia Medical School, where she specialied in art therapy. She is most passionate about the visual arts, yoga practice and motherhood.

 

Posted in Elizabeth Dukes, Mindful Monday, Mindfullness, Parenting, play, Slowing down | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Passion and Purpose: Happiness

In the ups and downs of life, the downs are not fun. Being unhappy and having unhealthy feelings can interfere with so many things in a person’s life.  These unhealthy feelings and symptoms can sometimes be difficult to escape, but essential oils can help.  Essential oils have an ability to bring your body towards a state of homeostasis, and are able to effect changes to moods resulting in greater balance, happiness and positivity in your life.
I used essential oils for a while with limited results, but recently was introduced to a whole new class of essential oils.  The essential oils made by doTERRA are some of the purest oils in the world.  They are certified to be 100% pure with no fillers or pesticides and are grown and harvested in a way to ensure they remain as pure as possible, and I can attest that they are truly in a class of their own.  I have absolutely fallen in love with these oils and use them daily for myself, my family, and my home.  I have found them to be one of the most powerful ways to keep a happy home, and the beautiful thing is, they are so simple to use.
Aroma is very powerful.  When an aroma comes into contact with our olfactory receptors it is more than simply a pleasant or unpleasant smell.  There is a reaction at the cellular level and it affects our brain, our nervous system, and our chemistry.  doTERRA oils are so pure, and their aroma is so clean and pleasant, that they very quickly and automatically solicit a positive response throughout our body.
Below are the primary oil blends recommended for managing moods.
Serenity - This relaxing blend contains essential oils that are used to calm and soothe feelings of stress, excitement, and anxiety in order to help the body maintain its natural state of health.  I use this oil every night with my daughters to help them have a restful sleep.  It can be applied to the bottom of the feet, back of neck and/or across forehead.  You can also diffuse the oil.  For myself it helps me to go into a peaceful state, and is very useful after a stressful day when you want to unwind.
Citrus Bliss – this is a happy, invigorating blend.  It is a very pleasing smell and one of my favorites.  You can use this one internally – just add a drop or two to your water.  Diffuse for a happy home. This oil is Invigorating, Stimulating, Rejuvenating.
Elevation - the joyful oil.  This wonderful blend is very cheering and creates an energetic aroma that can help stimulate the body’s chemistry when a person is feeling lethargic or sad.  Perfect for someone struggling with anxiety and depression.  It is very quick acting.
Balance - this is a grounding blend and part of the daily regime.  It can aid in harmonizing the various physiological systems of the body and promote tranquility and a sense of balance.  Tree oils are very grounding, and it is recommended to use this daily since you always want to stay grounded, with the ability to bend and sway, and adapt with the flow, but not be easily uprooted.
You can also blend some of the oils above together in a bottle:
                       If you can’t settle down at night- blend Balance and Serenity together.
                       If you need to wake-up, get excited, be invigorated- blend Citrus Bliss and Elevation together.
A single oil that is great to have on hand is Wild orange.  Rubbing a drop or two on your wrists is a great way to bring about more positivity and happiness!
Finally, if you have a child who struggles to settle down, especially in the classroom.  Applying Lavender and Vetiver oil daily on the bottom of their feet has been shown to have great results at helping them to calm down and focus.
There is a great presentation on how essential oils can help regulate and improve moods.  I invite you to go check it out at:  http://www.everythingessential.me/Hints/Mood_Matrix_PDF_111309.pdf
You can take control of your mood and your life!  All it takes is a little ‘scents’.
FDA Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.  The products described herein are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.Post contributed by Amy Stafford. Amy has a BS in Exercise Physiology, and has studied nutrition.  Amy has a passion for all things holistic, and prefers to use natural remedies and treatments before using pharmaceuticals to treat any injury or illness.  Amy is an Independent Product Consultant with doTERRA International.  For more information please visit her website at www.mydoterra.com/certifiedpureoils or contact her directly at aestafford06@yahoo.com for more information.

Posted in Amy Stafford, aromatherapy | Leave a comment

Mindfulness Monday: Happiness

The key to happiness: what is it? Many of us believe happiness comes from things. Things like a new pair of shoes, a fancy car, or a bigger house. What happens when you get home and the new pair of shoes get a scuff, or a newer, fancier car comes out on the market? Where does the happiness go? I always tell people that the law of gravity applies to emotions too: what goes up must come down.

Whenever we search externally for happiness, through things, relationships, food, alcohol, or whatever our drug may be, we may find it for a moment, but ultimately we will have to  face whatever we were running from to begin with.

True happiness involves acceptance of all this life has to offer. A regular mindfulness practice can help with this. Mindfulness is awareness of what is happening in any given moment, and it is practiced without judgement. There are formal practices, where you might sit in a quiet undisturbed place for a specific amount of time. But you can also practice mindfulness informally. This may be helpful if sitting still is particularly difficult for you. Try the informal mindfulness practice for happiness below.

Today’s Mindfulness Practice: Take time today to notice something that you have been fighting. It could be something someone has said or done, or something painful that has happened. If this is your first time practicing, choose something small (like a driver cutting you off in traffic). When you notice yourself judging: “that’s so inconsiderate…”, then take a few slow, deep breaths. Allow the judgement to pass, and continue on with your day. Each time the choosen situation comes up today, intentionally practice this informal mindfulness: notice the judgement, observe slow breaths, and let go of the judgemental thought.

Post contributed by Mary How. Mary is the owner of Angelfish Creations, LLC and editor of the Flying Fish Blog.

Posted in Emotion Management, Mary How, Mindful Monday, Mindfullness | Tagged | Leave a comment

Creative Endeavors: Come Help Install A Giant Rangoli!

Looking for a creative endeavor? Next week, artist Khaldoune Bencheikh  and I will be working with the Columbia community to install Rangoli: Giant Bird Feeder. The rangoli, believed to welcome good luck and fortune, is a traditional folk art of India using natural materials in a decorative floor pattern.

Rangoli Project at the TAPPS Center for the Arts 2011

Please join us! Stop by the corner of Lincoln and Lady Streets during the day April 24-26 (Tuesday-Thursday) to add your creative touch to the project which aims to energize communities about the value of art as a tool for healthy and creative self expression. 

Bring one or more brightly colored, natural items that can be used to feed birds native to the SC Midlands area including berries, spices, bird seed, cut flowers, fruit, fruit peels, herbs, and nuts.

The exhibit will be a part of the Install It 2 exhibits for  Artista Vista 2012, the Midlands largest 3 day gallery art crawl.

Post contributed by Mary How. Mary is the owner of Angelfish Creations, LLC and editor of the Flying Fish Blog.

Posted in Art, bird feeder, Community, Earth, Environment, Projects, Rangoli | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Inspiring Things: The Art of a 5 Year Old

Since our focus for the Flying Fish Blog this week is ”Mother Earth”, I was excited that my daughter Macy brought home this beautiful drawing earlier in the week. I thought it appropriate to share… Mary

"Earth" by Macy

Posted in Art, Children, Earth, Mary How | 2 Comments