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Wmindfulness By Emily Devon. The kids are alright, with hen we say ‘mindfulness’, This idea is beneficial for children what comes to mind? being taught at home as well, as it Perhaps someone sitting prepares them for transition back into a on a mat practising focused mindset. meditation or yoga, or even journaling? Mr Hann cites another strategy: BODY & SOUL 61 Long-term benefits of mindfulness for children Mr Hann lists the following: • Promoting general, mental and overall wellbeing. • Can improve their working memory. • Can help make better use of strengths. • Can raise happiness. • Can make \\\[children\\\] more resilient. “This refers to an individual’s ability to recover from setbacks and the adaption to change, positively.” Mindfulness is making its way around as one of the more recent health trends, attracting young and older adults. However, have we ever considered the positive impact that mindfulness could have on children? We’re all coming out of 2020 a little bit rough around the edges, and children are no different. Life for young people was most likely tipped on its head when schools closed due to Covid-19. Research found that nearly one in five Australian children experienced disruptive behaviours, disturbed sleep or symptoms of anxiety or depression amid the pandemic restrictions.1 “Around 20 per cent of children have experienced confusion, worry and unhelpful thoughts and behaviour related to Covid-19, but with support from parents and other caring adults, most of these problems are likely to settle over time,” said lead researcher Dr Alex De Young, of the Queensland Centre for Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Service.1 Evidently, young minds need strengthening and supporting, especially today. Pharmacy assistant Bryan Hann supports mindfulness among children. “I do believe that children would benefit from mindful-related activities, as this can be used as a great coping method and relaxation strategy, as well as helping with conditions like anxiety,” he said. Mr Hann describes mindfulness as a “practice of maintaining an awareness of your thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations and surrounding environment through a gentle nurturing lens”. Furthermore, he says, mindfulness can benefit a child’s behaviour at school. “Mindfulness in children could help to reduce aggression and depression, and enhance peer acceptance,” Mr Hann said. “It may improve classroom behaviour and attention, and reduce anxiety. It may also improve children’s ability to self-regulate difficult emotions.” Mindfulness strategies “Some activities that children can use to practise mindfulness include ‘quiet time’,” Mr Hann said. “This can allow children to de-stress and focus on the present.” Elaborating on the idea of quiet time, the Responsive Classroom organisation states that lunch time and recess often build up a child’s energy. Children, it says, will run into the room \\\[after a break\\\], bumping and shoving and talking loudly, or sometimes they return distressed or upset.2 Quiet time offers an opportunity for students to transition back into the classroom, in a purposeful and relaxed way.2 Students can spend 10 to 15 minutes drawing, writing, reading or working on a puzzle, quietly.2 teaching mindfulness through the ‘STOP’ method (‘Stop, take a breath, observe, proceed’). This, he says, “essentially teaches children the core components of mindfulness” and includes many more measures, such as breathing exercises.” Promoting mindfulness When asked if he would feel comfortable recommending mindfulness activities to parents and children, Mr Hann said: “Definitely, and I’d always encourage parents, and also other pharmacy workers, to encourage recommending these activities, as they give the child essentially a unique coping method and/or relaxation strategy, rather than the feeling of being overwhelmed. “However, I’d always suggest to pharmacy workers to educate yourselves first on mindfulness. It will give you a first-hand experience. “Secondly, practise it yourself, as this helps to refine your knowledge of mindfulness and can give you the ability to help people refine their skills, and encourage the parent/s to practise it, too. “Thirdly, when it comes to parents, mention to them to start incorporating it within their everyday lives with their children, and educate them about the importance of practising mindfulness.” References 1. Children’s Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service, 2020. ‘Mental health of one in five Australian children impacted by pandemic’. childrens.health.qld.gov.au/media-release- children-mental-health-impacted-by-pandemic/ \\\[Accessed 14/1/21\\\]. 2. Responsive Classroom, 2017. ‘What is Quiet Time?’ responsiveclassroom.org/what-is-quiet-time/ \\\[Accessed 14/1/21\\\]. RETAIL PHARMACY ASSISTANTS • FEB 2021