By Fatima Malik
Mindfulness is defined as a mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique.
Meditation, yoga, breathing exercises and other activities classified as ‘mindfulness’ can help kids with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), but it’s not just the kids that benefit.
When families of children with ADHD complete a mindfulness program together, both the children and parents can benefit. It has the potential to boost self-control, self-compassion, and help with psychological symptoms.
For the treatment of ADHD, mindfulness can be used in combination with medication. It can be a part of behavioural therapy for kids with ADHD.
How does mindfulness help parents?
It has been observed that parents that attend mindfulness training benefit from stress reduction because it teaches them to listen with their full attention, accept and develop compassion for their kids and themselves. This means they can then regulate their relationship with their children, making it less disruptive or stressful.
The benefits of mindfulness in kids with ADHD have not been studied extensively; however, the overall benefits of mindfulness, with or without ADHD, are well known.
It lowers stress levels, helps regulate a cluttered mind, and equips one to manage their emotions in a healthy way.
Long-Term advantages of Mindfulness training
As parents, our number one goal is to prepare our children for adult life. Giving them skills to navigate a life that can be challenging, especially if your child has ADHD.
A child with ADHD may experience symptoms like social anxiety, hypersensitivity, lack of motivation at school, sleep problems, depression etc.
A combination of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and medication can help your child manage the symptoms better as they grow older. ADHD is known to get better with age, but that could also be that you gain more control with age. That control doesn’t have to be challenging if you’ve learned skills to manage your symptoms early on in life.
There is less of a struggle when you have the skills and the awareness to manage your condition. Practicing mindfulness can help with that in the long run.
Not sure what the best course of action is regarding your child’s treatment? Call us at 1-866-503-7454
