Trying to be more mindful in 2024? Try these tips for being mindful with your partner and kids
Many of us might be making those familiar promises to be healthier, go on that trip we’ve always wanted to take or learn a new language.
- Many of us might be making those familiar promises to be healthier, go on that trip we’ve always wanted to take or learn a new language.
- But if you’re among the many wanting to be more mindful in 2024, you’re certainly not alone.
A dark side to mindfulness?
- However, western psychological perspectives often highlight a self-focused form of mindfulness, encouraging self-compassion and self-acceptance while ignoring compassion towards others.
- There is a good reason that self-focused mindfulness has so long been emphasized in psychology research.
- Other research has found that mindfully self-compassionate jailed inmates are more likely to deny responsibility and show less sensitivity to the consequences of their criminal behaviour.
- Across seven studies testing mindfulness programs for incarcerated adults, researchers have further found that, compared to controls, those trained in mindfulness showed no significantly reduced risk for criminal behaviour.
Interpersonal mindfulness
- Interpersonal mindfulness, which involves showing compassionate attention to others, is linked to having less stress and better relationships.
- Paying attention to your actions and their consequences is especially important for being kind to others.
Practise mindful compassion with your partner
- By committing to being more interpersonally mindful with your partner, you better enjoy the upsides and navigate the downsides of your relationship.
- Extending mindful compassion and empathy towards your partner can be particularly helpful for your relationship.
- Practising these mindful skills can help you and your partner feel closer and more connected, benefitting not just yourself but also your relationship.
Use mindful parenting with your kids
- Using mindful parenting can help you to make conscious choices about how to respond to your child, nourishing their well-being and mental health.
- Being emotionally in tune with your child can bring you closer together and support your child’s emotional development, and using mindful parenting might even help your child to be more mindful.
- Perhaps being mindful was already part of your new year’s resolution, or after reading this, you have added it to your list.
Hali Kil receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. Nathaniel Johnson receives funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.