
Brain Health Bootcamp
1 mins 27 secs
Ages 8 - 18
This video explains the concept of meditation, both formal and informal, and how it can be used to practice mindfulness. It emphasizes the importance of being aware of one's thoughts without lingering on any specific thought, a practice known as mindfulness meditation.
Meditation is one of the most effective ways to practice mindfulness. There are many different ways to meditate, both formally and informally. An informal meditative practice involves taking time to become aware of your surroundings. You may do this by going for a walk, eating a nutritious meal, or noticing your breath. These practices may last just a couple of minutes, but they can last as long as you'd like. A formal meditation practice involves intentionally sitting and thinking without attaching. You may hear people refer to meditation as "emptying your mind." In reality, to empty one's mind completely is nearly impossible. Instead, the goal of meditation is really to pay attention to what you're thinking without lingering on any specific thought. For example, you may notice that you're thinking about your dog. Rather than focusing on your dog during meditation, you act like an observer. You should notice how your thoughts change and move onto something else. You will continue with this pattern of noticing and letting go. This type of meditation is called mindfulness meditation. All forms of meditation, however, can help you strengthen your ability to be mindful, noticing your thoughts and detaching from them.