“Sitting With” for Mindfulness, Connection & Healing

“To sit with.”

(phrase; meaning: to stay close to, tolerate, and accept a person, experience, or feeling)
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A discreetly powerful tool for coping and connection, “sitting with” provides parents, friends, and other loved ones an (arguably) tangible tool for supporting another living being through something difficult (e.g., sadness, anxiety, grief, trauma). By “being there” for another in body, mind, and emotion, you remind others that they are not alone, and connection with supportive others can be a natural pain reliever.

For parents, “sitting with” looks like reflecting your little’s feelings or thoughts, validating and acknowledging the emotion makes sense, and mirroring emotions and activities for co-regulation.

For friends, “sitting with” may include listening and showing up for your loved one. Either by sharing your own similar or related experience or emotion, or by demonstrating your support with words or actions (e.g., standing up to bullying, inclusive play activities)

For yourself, learning to “sit with” emotions and thoughts looks like mindfully attending to them without engaging in past coping strategies of avoidance or feeling “stuck” in rumination or wallowing.

For more strategies to enhance mindfulness, connection, and compassion in yourself and your family, follow @currentmood_irrelephant #socialconnecting #mentalHEALTH #mindfulparenting #elephanttribe