• MONDAY JUNE 22

  • mindful activity for adults & kids

    • Mindful bed-making has quite a bit of research behind its efficacy in shifting mindset for the day.  For those who are always in a hurry and/or have trouble sitting still, this can be a quick, effective way to do a moving meditation by taking a mindful moment to tidy up your sleeping area and/or have your kids do the same in their rooms.  It does not have to be perfect. 

  • kindness toward self & others

    • In addition to making the bed, a morning 'bed yoga' routine is a great way to start the day.  Pause before reaching for your phone, especially at the first light of a new week.  You can find more information on a morning yoga routine HERE.

  • educational activity

    • Teach kids to make their bed (video 5:02)

    • Create a healthy bedtime routine with your kids.

  • creative activity

    • Make your and/or your kids' sleeping areas and rooms comfortable and creative.  You can find some creative room decorating tips HERE and HERE.

  • additional resources

    • Make Your Bed book by Admiral William H. McRaven

    • Autism Live: Making a Bed (adaptive skill teaching)

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• TUESDAY JUNE 23

  • mindful activity for adults & kids​

    • Mindful listening, also referred to as 'active listening,' is purposeful listening and is a very important skill set to develop for making stronger connections with others.

  • kindness toward self & others

    • The next time you have a conversation, really listen.  Do not just listen to respond, as we often do when we find ourselves focusing more on what we might say next as opposed to what the person is saying.  Pause, listen, and allow the person to finish their full thought.  Ask questions after.  Having kids do this- wait their turn until someone else finishes talking and not getting in the habit of allowing them to interrupt others- is important in helping them grow as well.

  • educational activity

    • Active Listening video (4:39)

  • creative activity

    • Interactive listening game ice breaker

    • If you have the time and want to practice intentional mindful and active listening, you can take turns with one other person. (This can work in a group as well.)  Pick a topic and who is going first.  The first person talks about that topic, without interruption, for 2-4 minutes.  The second person will then talk about the same topic, without interruption, for 2-4 minutes.  Once each person has had their uninterrupted time to talk, both will discuss.

  • additional resources

    • Active listening article for parents

    • Tips & activities article for improving kids' active listening

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• WEDNESDAY JUNE 24

  • mindful activity for adults & kids

    • Intention setting is a way to rewire your brain through setting an intention while using specific language to help you have a more successful day.  HERE is more information about how setting intentions can change your brain.

  • kindness towards self/others

    • Start practicing intention setting.  The key is intentional goal setting, using language to help you be more successful.  First, think of the goal or situation you would like to set an intention for.  Have you worked toward this goal before or is this a new intention?  If it's something you've worked toward in the past, what kind of language have you used and how could you shift that into more encouraging and accountable language?  What type of experience do you want to have?  Create a mental movie of the optimal experience and outcome you want to have.  Utilize those feelings, thoughts, and images when creating language for your intention.  You can find more details here: Intention Setting 101. 

  • educational & creative activity

    • Set the example for others by focusing less on a to-do list or beating yourself up.  Find creative ways to set more intentional language for your day-to-day activities.

    • Help kids set intentions (article)

    • 5 tips on how to help kids set intentions

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• THURSDAY JUNE 25

  • mindful activity for adults & kids​

    • There is a reason shows like Marie Kondo's "Tidying Up" have become so popular.  Research shows that our physical surroundings have an impact on our well-being.  What is your environment like?  In which ways could your surroundings be adjusted to create a more mindful and comfortable space?

  • kindness toward self & others​​​​

    • Take some time to work on improving the space around you.  Start by decluttering.  And, if there's something you feel like you would like to add- for example a small trash can near your desk or a salt lamp, etc- feel free to add mindfully to your space too.  Don't just declutter- recreate the space as well.

      • How to build the declutter habit​

      • 8 tips for creating a mindful space in the home

      • How to declutter your home with mindfulness

  • educational activity

    • Teach kids to tidy video on age-appropriate chores (22 mins)

  • creative activity

    • Declutter, donate, & destress.  Have kids help and you can teach them about charitable donations along the way: win-win! 

    • free decluttering guide and workbook

  • additional resources

    • how to decorate your home to promote mindfulness

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• FRIDAY JUNE 26

  • mindful activity & kindness toward self (for kids & adults)

    • When was the last time you went for a walk?  Maybe you are someone who walks the dog daily or maybe you are someone who drives everywhere, but the benefits of walking are incredibly valuable.  This is particularly the case with walking in the morning, which you can find more information on HERE.  Walking any time of the day is helpful, even if you can't get out right away in the morning.  For those who have been working from home more, ask yourself if you can walk and talk on your next call.  Instead of laying on the couch while catching up with a friend over the phone, take a light walk while doing so.  Even if you just take a quiet, ten-minute walk to yourself or take the kids around the neighborhood, it's a great, mindful way to get outside and move.

  • educational activity

    • pedestrian safety video for kids (3:39)

  • creative activity

    • 10 ways to get more from walks with children

  • additional resources

    • How to be more mindful just by breathing and walking

    • The benefits of walking for children

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While the order of these activities has more of a flow this week, please feel free to pick and choose at your own discretion.  Most activities have links in the descriptions, but feel free to reach out if you have any follow-up questions regarding anything in this week's schedule. Have fun!