Mindfulness

HCC interview preview

HCC Interview

Mindfulness /

Dr. Friedman spoke on Houston Community College’s Up to the Minute to share strategies for creating healthier and more resilient workplaces. Her remarks include eye-opening data and common management missteps. Watch Dr. Friedman share these insights in her interview here. 

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Mindful Being Houston

7 Tips for Dealing with Holiday Stress Through Mindfulness

Mindfulness /

Mindfulness is a way of being present in the moment, both internally and externally. Mindfulness has been proven to improve relationship satisfaction, stress, overall emotional health, and increase empathy towards others. Practicing mindfulness regularly has also been shown to lower stress and anxiety. Practicing mindfulness during the holiday season can help make the busyness more

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Mindful Being

How to Practice Mindfulness as a Family Unit During the Holiday Season

Mindfulness /

The holiday season might be “the happiest season of all,” but we tend to feel exhausted rather than grateful with the gift buying and preparations. With Hanukkah, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve right around the corner, what if we focused this year on more mindfulness, allowing more cheer, more intentional moments, and slowing down to

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Today’s world is more challenging for children. Technology and American culture have increased the pace we are living. The immediate gratification they receive through video games provides a neurological dopamine hit of pleasure; but ultimately, causes youth to be less patient and resilient to distress. Social media and television glorify reactiveness and drama, teaching children to do the same in their interactions with peers and adults. The constant false posts of “my life is totally wonderful,” is making youth feel inadequate and defective. Kids are seeing and participating in more violence and bullying; sometimes they are fearful to go to school. Children feel more disconnected communicating mostly through texts. Some youth feel pressured to do everything; with daily extracurricular activities competing with additional homework. Many are not getting the recommended eight or more hours of sleep. Loneliness, anxiety, depression, and suicide are on the rise. How mindfulness can help. Many schools are now using mindfulness to help children focus and calm. Mindfulness is a training of the mind to focus on the present moment without judgment. Scientific studies have found that it can improve focus, self-control, and behavior in the classroom. It has also been shown to reduce anxiety in children. Why is it important to learn to focus on present moment? A worldwide study of adults showed that the human mind wanders about half the time. We are not where our bodies are. When children experience any kind of distress or trauma, their minds wander even more. The side effect of coming back to the present moment, which is usually all right, helps them calm. Mindfulness also teaches nonjudgmental awareness. Bringing a gentle acceptance to whatever is arising in the present moment can relieve stress. It’s not that anything goes… discernment is important; but judgment of self and others is not helpful to anyone. Through mindfulness classes, your child can learn to: 1. Return to the present moment when they drift 2. Be a better listener 3. Notice their thoughts and decide whether they are helpful and true 4. Embrace imperfection 5. Understand emotions and how to be with them 6. Develop compassion for self and others 7. Show generosity 8. Practice gratitude 9. Become aware of and take care of their needs. 10. Enlist outside help Teaching mindfulness to your children can be one of the best practices you engage in as a family. Not only will the tools be beneficial to young kids, but adults as well. For further information on how to bring mindfulness into your school, family, youth group, or to your child, contact Dr. Ann Friedman at (713) 524-8253, ext. 107.

Mindfulness for Pre-K through Middle School Kids

Mindfulness /

Today’s world is more challenging for children. Technology and American culture have increased the pace we are living. The immediate gratification they receive through video games provides a neurological dopamine hit of pleasure; but ultimately, causes youth to be less patient and resilient to distress. Social media and television glorify reactiveness and drama, teaching children

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