The Science of Mindfulness: Using Mind-Body Skills to Optimize Wellbeing

Let's face it, life as a mom (or dad) can be stressful. As we balance caregiving, household responsibilities, activity schedules, mealtimes, work, and, hopefully, some of our own needs, it easy to become exhausted or overwhelmed. Fortunately, the science of mindfulness is giving us new insights into how we can use mind-body skills to reduce stress and anxiety, relieve pain, increase energy and improve mood.   In the daily ups and downs of parenting, mind-body techniques can be simple, effective tools to enhance your own wellbeing while setting a healthy example for your children at the same time. You also can help your children build these same mind-body skills at any age, giving them a head start on living a rich, peaceful, joyful life.   Mom Enough co-host Dr. Erin Erickson teaches mind-body strategies and uses them in her clinical practice and in her demanding life as mom of three adolescents. In a twist on the usual Mom Enough format, Erin’s mom and co-host Dr. Marti Erickson interviews Erin on this important and practical topic.     HAVE YOU USED MIND-BODY SKILLS TO REDUCE STRESS?   What simple ideas did you hear in this Mom Enough interview that you could try right now? What resources are in your community to help you learn more about this? How will you use these skills with your children?     WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MINDFULNESS AND MIND-BODY SKILLS?   ❉ THE SCIENCE OF MINDFULNESS. Check out this tip sheet to learn more about the science of mindfulness. or the Science of Mindfulness sheet, click here.   ❉ CLINICAL HYPNOSIS FOR CHILDREN WITH EMOTIONAL AND BEHAVIORAL CHALLENGES: A CONVERSATION WITH U OF M PHYSICIAN ANDY BARNES. Clinical hypnosis for children can sound strange or even scary to many of us. But University of Minnesota pediatrician Andy Barnes finds hypnosis for children to be an effective, child-friendly way to help his young patients (tots to teens) use play and imagination to strengthen self-regulation skills.   ❉ HEADSPACE. What is meditation? What if I'm having trouble meditating? Check out this link to learn how to meditate.   ❉ INSIGHT TIMER. Check out this great tool for thousands of free meditations. Find your meditation style!   ❉ HeartMath. Want to learn more about the heart-brain connection?