Keep Calm and… What? #2020AreYouForReal

There are so many 2020 jokes and memes out there, as this challenging year has yet to end. While no one really knows what 2021 will bring, it seems like it just has to be better than this year.

It’s like we’re all on this rollercoaster ride together, trying to think happy thoughts as we barrel through the 50th vertical loop in a row. Let’s face it, stress has reached a new high – and this after already hitting record high levels in the days prior to COVID-19. (Doesn’t that make you a bit nostalgic, thinking about the days before we knew a pandemic was afoot…?)

Our kids are excellent receptors of how we really feel, even if they can’t put it into words. They FEEL us. And they can sense the overwhelming environment (which is not unlike an avalanche of Tupperware as you open the cabinet door), whether it’s stemming from family, friends, or school teachers.

There is so much information flying around out there that’s hard to digest. Kids hear snippets about the growing number of “confirmed cases” and about deaths and the economy and everything else going on right now. It’s no wonder that more and more kids have been experiencing stress- and anxiety-related symptoms.

So, here are 5 things you can do right now to ease things up a little (for yourself and for your kids):

1. Communicate – Talk more with your kids. Hear them out. Ask about their feelings. Inquire about how their day went. Share whatever you find right to share about your feelings and what you do to help yourself feel better.

Kids are so smart. They pick up so much from your words and use the things you say to better comprehend their own experience.

Filtering out the chaos couldn’t be more crucial to maintaining sanity these days (for everyone!). It can also help you keep track of what's going on with your child.

2. Breathe – Take a few breaks for deep breathing throughout the day.

There is so much hype surrounding the practice of deep breathing – but that’s because it works! You don’t need to prepare or plan anything. Just do it. It’s really easy and yet so beneficial.

Invite your kids to join you. This can help anyone who is stressed out to lessen their sense of momentum.

3. Visualize – Take a few moments to connect with yourself. Imagine you’re in a new reality that doesn’t include any of the world’s current problems. The pandemic has been solved, and everything else is accelerating toward thriving. Feel the joy and relief of a worry-free realm. Try to focus on this pleasurable experience for a short while.

We are usually so busy visualizing all the problems in the world, or the things that could go wrong in our lives, that we don’t even realize we’re doing it. Try to add in some of the opposite. Focus on what the solution could look like – or even better, how it would make you feel.

Allow yourself to take a break from your personal worries. This obviously won’t make them disappear, but it can help you strengthen your resilience when facing them.

After you’ve had this experience, share it with your kids. They can probably do it even better… ;-)

4. Rest / Cry / Sing / Write – Do anything that nurtures your feelings.

WE ARE GOING THROUGH A LOT. Acknowledge and respect your feelings and nourish your body on a daily basis. Find ways to maintain your well-being as much as you can.

Offer your kids the same opportunity. Try to go easy on everyone.

5. Laugh – Look up jokes and funny memes. This is one area where 2020 is really fruitful.

Share the right ones with your kids. Let them see you have a good laugh. :-D

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The Imagine Blog

You’ll Love This: Bedtime Routine With Guided Imagery Meditation

By Meirav Tamir • March 14, 2022

In my last blog I discussed the everyday challenge of going to sleep and how a simple bedtime routine can be a HUGE help. So now a little more into detail with these great ways to make it work! Phase One – Taking Care of the Body Try dedicating the first 10 minutes of the routine to basic actions that prepare the body for hopping into bed, such as brushing teeth, getting into pjs, and snagging a glass of water. Do your best to make sure these happen at about the same time and, if possible, in the same order. And don’t forget to include a cut-off time for electronics – at least 30 minutes before it’s time to fall asleep. Blue light has been shown to limit production of melatonin, a hormone that’s key to maintaining a healthy sleep cycle. Avoiding electronics right before bedtime will help kids fall asleep faster and wake up feeling rested. Once all of this is out of the way, you can move on to the next phase of the routine. Phase Two – Taking Care of the Heart and Mind The second phase, in my opinion, is the best part of the routine, and it actually offers a priceless opportunity for you to create a 100% nurturing experience for your kids . In fact, the content you pour into the next 10 minutes or so will have a life-long effect on them. There are a ton of different things you can do to treasure your time together. You can… Read a book Take turns saying things you’re grateful for Talk about the good things that happened that day Sing a song or say a prayer Say goodnight to family members, friends, the moon, the stars, the birds, or even the trees outside The Guided Imagery Meditation Option If you haven’t before, you could also give guided imagery meditation a try! You might be surprised how fun and calming it is to visualize a pleasant scene as if you’re part of it. There are many different types of meditation you can do depending on your preference: breathing practice, progressive relaxation, mindfulness meditation focused on the five senses, landscape visualization, self-esteem exercises… And the list goes on! Get started with one of my guided imagery meditation scripts: The Protection Bubble . Then you can branch out based on your success. (Many of my customers swear by bedtime meditation!) Keep it short so bedtime remains as consistent as possible, but don’t be in a hurry. Above all, make sure to be present. These are some of life’s most precious moments, so just relax into the bonding experience. The more you give, the more you’ll receive during these positive, soothing 10 minutes. Oh, and try not to blink… They’ll be all grown-up so fast! :)

Making a Successful Bedtime Routine

By Meirav Tamir • March 14, 2022

“My kids always go to sleep so nice and easy!” said no parent ever. Getting your kids to go to sleep every night can be quite difficult, wouldn’t you agree? When my kids were young, I used to feel like I could fall asleep a hundred times before they ever did. And by the time the house was quiet, I was running on fumes. The Challenge – Encouraging the Kids to Sleep Unfortunately, falling asleep is not something that children can do on command, and it can get frustrating for all parties involved when they struggle with bedtime. The good news is that following a regular bedtime routine can turn that difficulty into willingness and even, dare I say, anticipation. Not only does a solid routine help to bring each day to a close in a positive way, but it also contributes to better sleep at night. This will have a great impact on your children’s health and well-being, not to mention your own... Still skeptical that it’s even possible? Perhaps that’s because you’ve never given guided meditation a try. ;) But before we get into that, let’s talk a little bit about the basics of bedtime. The Road to Success – Creating a 20-minute Bedtime Routine All good bedtime routines are built on a few similar and repetitive activities that occur every night at around the same time. But making the routine predictable does not mean it has to be dull (even though that can help with the process of winding down). The magic lies in creating a familiar and foreseeable space that kids associate with going to sleep. This provides young, active kids with a sense of security that gradually allows them to let go of the day and welcome a good night. Best of all, a bedtime routine doesn’t need to be long! About 20 minutes will do for a soft landing :) In my next blog - an easy two-phase process for a successful and fun bedtime routine.

Positive Affirmations and How To Use Them

By Team Imagine • November 3, 2021

“ I am smart and capable. I am kind. I am confident. ” Could something so simple actually work? Absolutely, yes! And when it comes to managing thoughts and feelings, it doesn’t get much easier than positive affirmations. What Are Positive Affirmations Positive affirmations are simple, short sentences with motivating or reassuring content that you can repeat to yourself in order to improve your mood or mindset. An easy yet powerful stress management tool, positive affirmations can be applied to any aspect of life to increase your confidence and help you feel good. When used often enough, they can have a real and lasting effect on the way you naturally think and behave. Tips to Maximize Your Affirmations Say the words “I am” in your positive affirmations. Doing so helps to create a more favorable state of mind – one in which you feel connected to the emotions you want to promote. Focus on the present. Sticking to present-tense statements makes them feel more real and attainable. There’s no need to worry about whether the affirmation will come true because you’re telling yourself it already is. Be specific about your wording. Statements that affirm the feelings you want, such as “I am courageous,” are more impactful than statements that negate your current feelings, like “I am not scared.” Using Positive Affirmations With Kids The wonderful thing about positive affirmations is that there is no limit to their usefulness – especially when it comes to kids. Kids encounter so many different situations each day that test their skills and emotions. Here are just a few examples of times when you can try positive affirmations with your child: First thing in the morning, to start each day with a positive mindset At bedtime, to ease their transition to a restful sleep When facing a test at school or any other kind of personal challenge When feeling an overwhelming emotion, such as stress, anger, or sadness What Positive Affirmations Are Not Positive affirmations are a great tool to train the mind toward positive thinking and emotional regulation. But it is worth noting that all emotions are valid and serve a purpose. Kids should know that it is absolutely OK to feel whatever emotion they are feeling. It’s OK to be sad, angry or stressed, and it is OK to feel overwhelmed. Positive affirmations are not a tool to erase negative feelings altogether, since there are times when those emotions are healthy and necessary. This message can be especially helpful to kids, who tend to see things in black and white. That said, positive affirmations are great any time a person decides they’d like to transition to a new mindset. So next time you or your child feel the need to turn things around, give these tips a try. Sometimes, all it takes is a simple “I am OK right now.”