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Research shows giving and a gratitude practice are linked to a greater sense of satisfaction and happiness. Here are 2 simple ways to make appreciation a habit in your family.
Keep a Gratitude Journal
Get a notebook and place it by the bedstead to write down 3 things you are grateful for each day. Kids are most grateful for people in their lives, like parents, teachers and friends. They are also thankful for simple pleasures like toys, and even necessities, like food and diapers.
Donate to Those In Need
Giving creates the good vibes! Access to diapers was a huge pandemic problem that has persisted for many. Those who can’t afford diapers find that hardship to be more stressful than food or housing insecurity.
Last year, we donated $5,370 dollars equal to over 420 packs - that's 12,600 diapers to those in need so we are doing it again. We created our second annual Thanksgiving Diaper Drive to benefit Homeless Prenatal Program in San Francisco with our community partners, Earth Baby REDYPER and Natural Resources. Like traditional diaper services, REDYPER™ Powered by EarthBaby delivers fresh new diapers and wipes right to your doorstep without the waste.
Have fun and help others! Bring a pack of diapers to donate at our IYK® Thanksgiving Family Event on Sunday, November 20 or drop a pack at Natural Resources through December 20.
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Today is National Stress Awareness Day. Yay! I feel like celebrating because bringing attention to how to handle stress is what I do everyday. Nearly 95% of disease is caused by stress so it’s super important to know how to handle it.
Here are 3 strategies for you and the kids:
1. Name it to tame it.
I’ve taught this for years. Knowing your feelings is critical to making sure they don’t go wild! Teach kids and model the four basic feelings: happy, sad, mad and calm.
2. Feel it to free it.
Once you name your feeling, allow yourself to feel it. We often try to resist negative feelings, but this effort only makes them bigger. Instead, embrace the feeling as if it were a loving friend. Listen to it, and ironically, that frees it.
3. Now flip it! Flip it good!
Once a feeling is fully felt, it can be released. This is why we like going upside-down in yoga. We can apply that idea to our thoughts too. The key word is “even though.” Even though I feel sad right now, I know it’s temporary and I will feel glad again. Then, direct your focus to a more positive thought.
This mindfulness exercise takes practice. Join me for a class or a training and I’ll show you how.
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Okay, Megan Thee Stallion, you got me. I love this!
She created a website with mental health resources for fans and it’s really cool. The website called "Bad Bitches Have Bad Days Too" offers links to free therapy organizations, suicide, and substance abuse helpline among other resources.
Way to normalize this and make a positive difference! With World Mental Health Day on October 10 and really everyday here at IYK, here’s what you can do to bounce back from a bad day.
1. Remember, This Too Shall Pass. Everything is temporary. Nothing lasts forever…even a bad day. Don’t let it stick.
2. Reflect. Learn from it. Stop and notice what happened. What was in your control and what was not? Are you a victim or a victor? It is a choice. You always have a choice.
3. Rest or move something. Everything is energy so move your body to release negativity so it doesn’t get stored in your body, mind and heart. If your body needs rest, stop and do that too.
You are your best friend and your best boss. Listen to yourself. When you are not sure, get still before acting. Try 1 to 10 minutes of silence to reset yourself and be your best. Learn at yoga. I’ll show you how.
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October 10 is World Mental Health Day. The overall objective is to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilize efforts to support it. Here are some facts:
- According to World Health Organization (WHO), one in eight people around the globe live with mental health conditions. The COVID-19 pandemic caused a 25% increase in the prevalence of anxiety and depression worldwide.
- Young people are particularly affected by mental health issues. The WHO says almost one in seven adolescents aged 10 to 19 live with some form of mental health condition. Suicide is the fifth most prevalent cause of death in this age group - 45,800 die each year, one every 11 minutes.
- Almost one in five 15-24-year-olds in a global survey for the WHO reported that they often felt depressed and had little interest in doing things. According to the UK Mental Health Foundation, half of mental health conditions are established by age 14 and 75% by age 24.
What we do at It’s Yoga Kids matters more than ever. Give your child what they need most to feel healthier and happier so they can be their best. We teach skills children do NOT learn anywhere else. Our fun and scientific system supports every age with the High 5 Habits built into every class, training and certification for anyone who lives or works with children. You are the adult who can make a difference. We are the organization that can help you.