Mindfulness.

In the moment. 
Being present. 

While you are reading this ... are you also thinking about your checklist of things you need to get do today? What's for dinner? How long will this take? The holiday you were just on? What you need to tell your family?

I'm very good at multi-tasking but over the years, I have found that I start one thing and move quickly to the next without finishing the first task.  I procrastinate with the tasks I don't want to do and then become overwhelmed. My mind drifts when people are talking to me.  Thoughts of the past, replaying conversations and previous decisions.  Thoughts of the future, what needs to get done, that growing complicated to-do list. 

I have described my mind as being FULL, like having too many tabs open in my web browser. Having too many tabs open in my own mind. As I look now at my browser, I can see that this is true of the literal screen in front of me but it is also true of my mind. There is a need to close some of the tabs, press the little X and focus on one thing at a time. 

“Mindfulness means maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment. Mindfulness also involves acceptance, meaning that we pay attention to our thoughts and feelings without judging them—without believing, for instance, that there’s a “right” or “wrong” way to think or feel in a given moment. When we practice mindfulness, our thoughts tune in to what we’re sensing in the present moment rather than rehashing the past or imagining the future.”― Brené Brown, Rising Strong: The Reckoning. The Rumble. The Revolution.

Now, what does this have to do with occupational therapy?  

• Mindfulness can help our client connection.  We can be empathic, responsive and develop rapport.  Truly meeting the client where they are at and focusing on them. 
• Mindfulness can help our therapeutic use of self.  We can truly bring "ourselves" to the relationship and be intentional with how we interact. 
• Mindfulness helps to us to feel.  Feel grounded in the moment with our thoughts and emotions (How did that child's behaviour really affect me?), have self- compassion (It's ok to have that response.) and take a moment before reacting (breathe). 
• Mindfulness reminds us to give ourselves time.  Time for administration tasks, time for documentation, time for connecting with colleagues, time to plan and time to reflect. 
• Mindfulness reminds us that looking after ourselves will help with that balance we need in our jobs. The balance to "treat" ourselves just as we would "treat clients", managing our own "just right challenge". 
• Mindfulness can help to reduce stress, anxiety and burn out.
• Mindfulness can help our clients with their own social emotional learning. As we become more mindful, we can model this to others. 

Mindful practice at work:

• Breathe.  Focus on your breath at the beginning of the day and before each interaction with somebody. 
• Body awareness. Do a body check to notice your comfort, need for movement, posture, strain. 
• Thought and feelings check.  Acknowledge your thoughts and feelings. 
• Presence. Be present with any person you are talking to or interacting with. 
• Schedule breaks and don't work through them. 
• Schedule planning and administrative time. 
• Develop a mindset.  Use a mantra, word for the year, positive affirmation, inspirational quote. 
• Practice gratitude. 
• Reflect and review.  

Writing things down always helps me to let go of what creeps into my mind.  Whether it is handwriting in my planner , jotting things in a notebook, typing a note on my phone or even a voice recording.  Letting go helps to "close those open tabs". 

January is a good time for new beginnings, new resolutions, new goals.  It is a "down time" for us in Australia, with summer, the school holidays and beach time.  It is easy to be mindful on holidays. The challenge is when the busyness of work and school resume, to manage the mental and emotional load. 

Mindfulness to me, is not a suspension of reality.  It is giving myself permission to be fully present. And it is a gift that I am still learning how to accept.  This is a work in progress. 

Are you able to practice mindfulness in your work?  In your personal life?  Do you find yourself having a mind FULL? What are your tips for mindful practice? 

Cindy is a registered occupational therapist practising in Sydney, Australia.  She has two growing children who are a constant source of inspiration and learning.  Cindy loves working creatively to help children to reach their potential, finding opportunities in everyday living and making learning fun. She is also addicted to making printables (even when they take a long time to complete).  Cindy is the author of the Occupational Therapy blog Your Kids OT.  Read more articles from Your Kids OT at https://www.yourkidsot.com/blog
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Cindy is a contributing author of the Functional Skills for Kids Therapy Team.  They have together published THE HANDWRITING BOOK, THE SCISSORS SKILLS BOOK and THE TOILETING BOOK.

​The information on this site is general in nature. The activities are safe for most children, however, you should consult an Occupational Therapist or health professional to address specific movement, sensory or other medical conditions. Affiliate links are used throughout this website to promote recommended products. Your Kids OT receives a small commission if any purchases are made through these links. Please see my disclosure policy for more details. ​​​
YKOT shop:  https://www.yourkidsot.com/store/c1/Featured_Products.html
Teachers Pay Teachers: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Your-Kids-Ot
You Tube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZUz_5nYEOCkj32DiOCQo4Q/featured
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yourkidsot
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourkidsot/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com.au/yourkidsot/

It's back to school time in Australia!  After a wonderful summer break, it is time to dust off the work cobwebs and get ready for the year ahead!

January is all about getting resources ready for the new school year.  Lots of admin to get organised and worked out before I even make contact with families. 
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For each new year and each new OT child; I provide a workbook to record things we do each week.  We may draw or write directly into the book.  I use scrapbooks that are larger than A4 as we also paste in craft activities or worksheets. This book also works as a communication tool with parents when they are not present for sessions and can be sent home with homework. 

I enjoy designing new covers (definitely prefer it to doing the admin side of my job). The children who I have seen over multiple years look forward to seeing what the design is for the year. Mr Z has been with me for 6 years now, so has seen all of these covers. I wonder if he has a favourite. 

This year I decided to cover "occupational perforamance areas" (ie. self care/activities of daily living, productivity, leisure and rest). You can read more about "occupational performance areas" when it comes to paediatric practice HERE.  The pictures in the 2025 cover will help to explain this to children too!

OT rules are included in this package. I am selective with which children I give these rules, keeping in mind who may become stressed by these rules or would not understand them. Please feel free to use with discretion.

Download your FREE copy of the 2025 collation of the OT workbook covers and OT rules HERE!
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Let me know if you use these covers by tagging @yourkidsot on social media! Do you have a favourite?

Looking forward to getting started with 2025!

I announced on social media that I'm heading to the AOTA 2025 conference in Philadelphia in April. This will be my first time attending and I'm so excited! Let me know if you are planning to attend.  I will have more updates closer to the date!

Now, how can I concentrate on my admin work now? 

Until next time,
​

Cindy is a registered occupational therapist practising in Sydney, Australia.  She has two growing children who are a constant source of inspiration and learning.  Cindy loves working creatively to help children to reach their potential, finding opportunities in everyday living and making learning fun. She is also addicted to making printables (even when they take a long time to complete).  Cindy is the author of the Occupational Therapy blog Your Kids OT.  Read more articles from Your Kids OT at https://www.yourkidsot.com/blog

Cindy is a contributing author of the Functional Skills for Kids Therapy Team.  They have together published THE HANDWRITING BOOK, THE SCISSORS SKILLS BOOK and THE TOILETING BOOK.

​The information on this site is general in nature. The activities are safe for most children, however, you should consult an Occupational Therapist or health professional to address specific movement, sensory or other medical conditions. Affiliate links are used throughout this website to promote recommended products. Your Kids OT receives a small commission if any purchases are made through these links. Please see my disclosure policy for more details. ​​​
YKOT shop:  https://www.yourkidsot.com/store/c1/Featured_Products.html
Teachers Pay Teachers: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Your-Kids-Ot
You Tube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZUz_5nYEOCkj32DiOCQo4Q/featured
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yourkidsot
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourkidsot/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com.au/yourkidsot/