Connection & Mental Health
Connection can lower anxiety and depression, help us regulate our emotions, lead to higher self-esteem/empathy, and improve our immune systems.
It’s beautiful to think that yoga and mindfulness have the same impact on our health. These ancient practices help us connect– To each other and our emotions.
During this pandemic, it is harder to connect than ever before. Social media is a great way to connect, but sometimes we can get inundated with information we are not looking for, leading to more anxiety/depression.
The practice of kids yoga and mindfulness are rooted in connection. Here are some simple ideas on how to bring more connection to your daily lives that are inspired by kids yoga & mindfulness.
Self-regulation: When we center ourselves and become present in the moment, we can truly connect to another. When we are feeling out of whack, it’s harder to tap into our authentic selves and connect to another. Similar to a kids yoga & mindfulness class, if the teacher isn’t regulated, it is really hard to expect your students to be in a calm space. Taking 3-5 slow deep breaths in through the nose and out through the mouth can help calm the nervous system.
Icebreakers: When on a zoom call, it’s easy to dive right into the agenda. What about kicking off meetings with an icebreaker? “What is a food you are enjoying these days?” similar to the start of a kids yoga and mindfulness class, this helps people feel safe, connect and share. It also brings in levity and fun- something we all could use these days.
Body Proximity: When students are having a hard time focusing or need a little more attention, we get up, walk over begin teaching next to them. This helps them know we are there and present with their emotions. When on zoom calls, it helps people feel connected when you are closer to your computer. When they can see your facial expressions and eye contact.
These small shifts can make an impact to you/your communities mental health. During a time when we need connection more than ever before, a small act can go a long way.
