The Benefits of Meditation for Children

Meditation is a Way of Life

Think about it. We all live in a world that has made our lives super hectic. We’ve got no time to ponder over smaller things that can make us happy. Our busy schedule has made us stressed, anxious, and restless. When our lives have become so stretched, how about our children? They need to understand and adopt the many benefits of meditation to help them relax.

Gone are the days when children lived a carefree life without tension, which we have come to see and experience now. Children’s lives are as much at elevated levels of anxiety as our lives are. But the question is how can children overcome this?

Through meditation.

According to studies, children that meditate develop positive attributes like better self-control, higher levels of attentiveness in class and at home, and respect for others. It is said that meditation also helps children manage conditions like depression, ADHD, stress, and hyperactivity and to some extent dyslexia. Introducing children to meditation can have long-term physical and mental benefits.

Here Are 7 Benefits of Meditation on Children

• Better behavior

Children that meditate behave better in schools and at home. They are respectful of their parents and everyone around them. Just like in adults, meditation calms and slows children down and when they are calm and slow, they think about their actions and repercussions of those actions.

• ADHD

It’s said that children who meditate regularly suffer less from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) than children who have the disorder but don’t meditate. Students who meditate are more focused, settled, calm, and rested.

• Improved School Performance

When people meditate, they are better at whatever they do, similarly, when children meditate, they are better at their schooling activities and their performance improves.

• Reduced Stress and Depression

The main intention of meditation is to reduce stress and depression and that’s exactly what meditation does to children. Let’s admit it—with a myriad of academic and non-academic activities that children do every day, they are stressed at the end of the and meditation helps reduce that.

• Compassion and Self-Esteem

Most of the insecurities that adults face today can be traced back to their childhood. Due to academic and societal pressure, most kids feel they are falling behind in their lives and this can be tough on them and for those around them. However, benefits of meditation has the power to improve children’s sense of security and stability, which in turn will help them build compassion and self-esteem.

• Boosts Confidence

Meditation helps children gain self-awareness and become more confident. When children meditate, they learn to keep distractions like not reacting to thoughts and reactions away and that improves their confidence. Additionally, it also helps them to learn about self-awareness about themselves. Confident children are better at dealing with unfamiliar situations. And because of this, they are better listeners and problem solvers.

• Improves Sleep

Sleep deprivation or disturbed sleep is common among students who are stressed and don’t let their mind take a break. Before this turns into something permanent, kids must take full advantage of the benefits of meditation to help them stay energized even after having a hectic schedule. Children that practice meditation have better immunity, lower stress levels, and better sleep.

According to researchers, the best time to meditate is right after getting up or before sleeping. Meditating before sleeping allows your child to sleep well, keeping your child well-rested, which in turn helps him prepare better for school and other activities.

Conclusion

Now is the time to introduce your child to meditation. Several places around you can help you and your child learn meditation and later you can practice it at home. If there are no places near your home that teach meditation, then you can always watch videos to learn meditation.

Due to a hectic lifestyle, people compromise with several good things in life. Meditation costs nothing and can be done in the comfort of the home.

You should never force your child to meditate as they may develop an aversion toward it. Introduce it slowly for a few minutes for the first few days and increase the minutes after a few weeks or days. They must be given the same encouragement that you give to yourself when it comes to meditating.

Also read…

School-Related Anxiety and Stress in Children and Teens

10 Tips For Parents To Calm Down A Stressed Child

12 Must-Try Extracurricular Activities For After-School