Hi again.  I’ve been on a blog hiatus, but happily, I’m baaaaaaack!  Hope your summer is continuing to be relaxing and enjoyable.

If you haven’t noticed, I see many children and adolescents in my private practice. I also see many of their parents or speak to them on the phone. I’ve also worked in public schools for 30 years and have had contact with my share of young people, teachers, and parents. Perhaps the most troubling aspect of this age group for teachers and parents is understanding their pre-teens and teenagers.

What is it about this population that is so puzzling? Perhaps it is their tendency toward moodiness. Or….. the constant challenging of your authority? Throw in their past adorable-ness and how they soooo needed you, but now want only to avoid your very presence. Sometimes there is the mix of  “I need you” and then, “I don’t need you,” all in the course of half an hour! Absolutely, I’m sure there are “perfect” teens out there (I haven’t seen one, but perhaps you have), but inevitably most experience changes at this juncture, including social, academic, hormonal, and emotional. A mindfulness practice can help.

What is mindfulness? It is the deliberate practice of paying attention to whatever you are doing, right now.  It is learning to be aware, or mindful, during difficult times in life. We become aware of our thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and physiological changes. We don’t try to change things; just become aware, fully focused. Breathing in and out helps us to stay in touch with this moment. Mindfulness requires practice on a consistent basis.  Perhaps parent and teen can learn this together!

That is exactly why I have become very interested in Mindfulness for teenagers. Recent research published in the British Journal of Psychiatry (June, 2013) revealed that mindfulness could reduce stress and lessen symptoms of depression among high school age students and increase their well-being.

Uh oh—another study. Just what we need!!!  But I liked this one A-Lot. The Universities of Exeter and Cambridge in England enrolled 522 students between the ages of 12 and 16 during their summer exam period. 256 of the students completed a 9-week introductory mindfulness course; the others did not participate in that specific training. It was found that the ones who completed the course reported lower stress levels, less depression, and overall greater well-being.

Over the nine weeks, the students enrolled in the mindfulness course learned a different mindfulness skill each week including: recognizing worry, harnessing the power of attention, dealing with unpleasant feelings, and distancing from thoughts and emotions.

One of the interesting findings was that mindfulness training can help with the psychological well being of all students, not just those who have symptoms associated with mental health problems.  Mindfulness practiced by adults has been more widely researched and has shown to have the effects of lowering stress levels, enhancing sleep, increasing compassion and self-knowledge, and other health benefits. Fewer studies have focused solely on children and adolescents.

I believe a large part of teenage “angst” can be approached with mindfulness techniques.  I have incorporated them into my therapy practice, even with some of the children I see.  The practice of breathing, being in the here and now, focusing, attending, and learning are all part of teaching children and teens to be okay with themselves, become grounded, and self-aware. Not bad stuff to learn on the road to a healthy life.

If you have any questions about mindfulness or any other topic, please contact me.  I am always eager to respond to any inquiries!  Happy day and BREATHE.