What are mindfulness practices?

Mindfulness practices are ways to pay attention to what is happening right now, like noticing your favorite toy or a tasty snack.

Imagine you're playing with your favorite blocks. Sometimes you get so focused on building the tallest tower that you don’t notice how your hands feel or how your legs move. Mindfulness practices are like taking short breaks from play to say, “Hey, I’m here right now, and this is what’s happening.”

One simple mindfulness practice is deep breathing. It's like when you blow out birthday candles, you take a big breath in, hold it for a moment, then let it all go with a soft whoosh. This helps your brain calm down and feel more relaxed.

Another way to be mindful is by noticing how your body feels. Maybe you can feel the floor under your feet or the air on your skin. It's like giving your body a little hug, you’re saying, “I’m here, and I notice this.”

Mindfulness practices are not complicated magic tricks, they're just friendly reminders to stay connected with what’s happening now.