We all have to deal with the stresses of modern life, and so do our kids. We have more choices, distractions, and unknowns than ever before. Stress is a major health issue in the modern world linked to the increased risk of many chronic diseases. It’s normal to want to try and find an escape, but this only makes things worse.
Mindfulness has become a buzz word when talking about stress and the challenges of modern life. Today’s guest helps us understand what mindfulness actually is and how it can help families buffer daily stressors and in turn live happier and healthier lives.
Stefanie Goldstein, Ph.D. is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist who works with adolescents, adults, couples, and families. She specializes in integrating mindfulness when working with stress, anxiety, depression, addiction, and trauma. Dr. Goldstein is a trauma specialist and has worked with traumatized teens and their families. She has also been trained in Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools (CBITS), Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD), Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT), and is a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Teacher. She is co-creator of CALM (Connecting Adolescents to Learning Mindfulness) and teaches classes in Los Angeles.
In Episode 16 of the Healthy Family Podcast, Dr. Goldstein shares her knowledge, experience, and tips for becoming a more mindful family.
Highlights from the Show
- How Dr. Goldstein felt a calling for becoming a therapist as early as age 8, based on her early life challenges.
- The difference between helpful and harmful stress and the role the internet/technology plays in the lives of our children
- Why social media is so powerful and how intermittent reinforcement feeds a need to stay connected to our phones.
- The definition of mindfulness and different types of meditation including mindfulness meditation.
- Why mindfulness is simple but not easy because it connects us to discomfort.
- How to be a “mindful parent” and become comfortable with your child’s suffering and managing your own discomfort
- Why resisting pain makes life more difficult, and the importance of acceptance and self-compassion.
- How Dr. Goldstein’s CALM program builds skills for adolescents such as helping them identify their most basic needs and learn to advocate for what they need.
- The importance of family connection in today’s world and tips on how families can stay connected in the midst of busy schedules (and the one thing every family should do at dinner).
- Why being a role model is often the first step and how parents can get started using mindfulness
- Why Dr. Goldstein and her husband created The Mindful Family Retreat (see link below) they host every year.
Quote from the Show
At its core the most basic definition [of mindfulness] is awareness. We add on to that without lenses of judgment. It’s as if you were a scientist, just be curious and aware about your experience without trying to judge or change it…Meditation is a way to practice mindfulness.
Links
Stefanie Goldstein website
The Center for Mindful Living
Have Smart Phones Destroyed a Generation?
Stress in America Survey 2017 — constant checker
Los Angeles meditation teacher Shinzen Young
CALM on Good Morning America
Dan Siegal’s Brainstorm and Flipping Your Lid
Raising the Mindful Family article
Apps to get started– Headspace, Insight Timer, Meditation Studio and Even Flow
Elisha Goldstein 6-month course in the fall
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
William Damon’s Path to Purpose
The Mindful Family Retreat in Nosara Costa Rica June 16-22 (only a few spots open)
Duration: 43:21
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Podcast Music: Corporate Uplifting by Scott Holmes
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The post The Mindful Family. Using Mindfulness to Manage Stress with Stefanie Goldstein [Podcast] appeared first on Maryann Jacobsen.