spiritual well-being

By Michelle Wilson, wellness program manager

What is most important to you? What values do you hold closely as you live your life? For some of us the most important values in life are love, honesty, and integrity. For some, being playful and caring about others every day is most important. Some people hold their relationships with their families as most important and, for some, work relationships and contributing to their communities is the primary focus.

When we think about what we value and then work each day to live our lives connected to those values, we create a sense of balance and well-being. This can support us when times feel difficult or when we feel alone or disconnected from others. We all face challenges that can lead to feelings of being off-center or anxious. Anxiety and lack of focus in our daily lives can contribute to our feeling that we aren’t living our lives the way we want to. When this goes on too long, it can feel difficult to get back on track.

With all that we have been going through in the past year together, with a pandemic and all the ways that has caused stress and challenges, now is an important time to find focus for our lives. Reflect on what you value most in your life. Think about what is most important for you each day, then make a plan to focus on those people or things as often as you can.

Sometimes our lives can feel out of our control, but when we think about what is most important to us, we can do things every day to support our health. No matter what happens around us, when we focus on our values and what is most important in our lives, we can find a greater sense of wellbeing.

Tip: Think about the five things that are most important to you. They may include being connected to friends or family members, or they may be qualities you want in your life every day, such as health or playfulness. Write these down and put them someplace where you will see them each day. Start the day by thinking what you will do to stay connected to your values and what is most important to you. At night, reflect on the day and be grateful for anything that brought you closer to living your life connected to these values.

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By Ginny Miller, wellness coach

Children live what they learn from us. I look away for just a moment and my sweet little one is now in high school and well on the way to becoming an adult. How did that happen, you ask?
It seems a cruel trick of time, doesn’t it? As we sometimes reflect on our parenting skills and question if we have done all we can to ensure our children have a solid, balanced, and happy life, doubt creeps in. That is the truth of parenting, yet we have all done the best we could with what we have had.

As a teacher of mindfulness for adults and children, I have witnessed the incredible gift of this basic skill we can give to children. Teaching them the simple practice of mindfulness can truly change the trajectory of a child’s life. It is the act of paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment and in a non-judgmental way. Through simple exercises using our breath, with practice we can achieve the ability to change our brains and learn new responses to any situation.

Children often feel unsure of their world. They have big feelings. They often do not know how to express what they are feeling and instead just react. This often results in a meltdown. With a few minutes a day of practicing mindfulness exercises, they can achieve the skill of self-regulation. Parents can also learn these skills and model calming behavior in any situation. Imagine, no more flipping our lids! (Watch the video series in the link below to learn more about that phrase.)

The possibilities for the ways mindfulness can help children and teens are unlimited. They include developing the ability to focus and learn and to self-soothe in any situation. They can support children in accessing their creativity and giving them a greater awareness of the beauty of life and our world, despite situations that may seem scary. They can support us all in creating balanced and loving relationships and in feeling greater joy, kindness, and belonging.
If this sounds too good to be true, I can assure you it is not. This is an evidence-based, trauma-informed technique being taught in many schools and organizations.

If you are ready to jump in, start now, with yourself or with your child or teenager present. Stop, take a breath, and notice what is happening right where you are, right in the present moment. Continue to breathe and relax. Simply notice what is happening around you, how your body feels, and appreciate whatever this moment brings. Invite your child or teenager to join you in this practice any time stress is present, or any time you want to create a calm moment. By teaching this simple skill to children, we give them a gift that lasts a lifetime.

Moment by moment, catch those fleeting days, months, and years of being with your child and embrace the precious gift of life.

Tip: If you want to learn how to practice mindfulness with young children, click on this link to see our Mindful Moments series.
Mindful Moments: a video series for children | La Clinica
If you want to practice mindfulness on your own, click on this link to hear short mindfulness audios.
Audio Library | La Clinica
Both series are available in English and Spanish.

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