Monday’s Mindful Tip: A Moment of Chess

posted in: Mindfulness 2

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IMG_3131On some Monday’s I’m going to share a little tip on how to bring mindfulness into the lives of you and your child. For my first Monday’s MIndful Tip I am suggesting the game of chess.

Don’t panic, I’m not suggesting a marathon game with your child. I am suggesting that you take 20 minutes out of your evening/ afternoon to play a little chess. Set a timer for as many minutes as you and your child can spare, and play until the timer rings. Then store the game as it is (unfinished) until the next day for another short break.

Chess is an amazingly relaxing, mindful game that will leave both you and your child peaceful and focused by the end of your time together. It stimulates the areas of the brain that lead to rational focused thoughts, anxieties and depression vanish. The math brain/problem solving brain takes over and you are one with the game.

If you don’t know how to play chess, teach yourself. Purchase a guide to playing chess and go for it. It’s actually a very easy game to learn and practice only makes you better at it. You and your child can learn together or perhaps your child can teach you.

I believe in an actual tactile game board and carved pieces. Computer chess is too much inside one’s head. To really enjoy one another’s comany and relax, one needs to play chess old-style. Touching the pieces, chatting with one another stimulates all of the senses for a truly enjoyable experience. Ever wonder why the older men in Italy sit and play it all afternoon? Try it with your kid. It’s a ZEN game.

2 Responses

  1. JOHN HART
    | Reply

    That’s a great idea and something one can do not only as a child.

  2. Mix Hart
    | Reply

    Yes, I expect to see you and J engrossed in a game next visit 🙂

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