Getting in shape with the family is a great bonding activity! Exercising with your kids will help them learn healthy habits early, and you might even discover a new favorite workout.

If you’re looking for ways to get active with your child, your local YMCA is a great place to start. We’ve listed four types of activities you can enjoy together!

1. Pound & Pound for Kids

In our Pound group fitness class, you and your child can drum along to music and have a fun workout! You’ll burn fat, relieve stress, tone muscles, and improve your cardio. You and your kiddo will make new friends, too!

We also have a Pound for Kids class that lets children ages 6-12 take part in the drumming and cardio. Your child will explore movement, improve coordination, gain confidence, and express a little creativity.

2. Open Track & Gym

The Y track is a great place for walkers, joggers, runners, and parents with single-width strollers. Walking with your kiddo is a great way to get active while talking, too. And if your child is 10 or older, they can use the track after a Wellness Orientation.

Below the track is an open gym that’s perfect for playing basketball. Whether you practice layups with your kiddo or grab another family for a friendly pickup game, the gym lets you and your child exercise together.

3. Equipment & Weights

Working out on the cardio and strength machines, as well as lifting (light) weights, is a great way for your kiddos to get healthy by your side. Once children and teens meet with a wellness coach, they’ll be able to join you for your workouts.

After a Wellness Orientation:

• Kids age 11 and up can use the cardio machines.
• Kids age 14 and up can use the strength and cardio machines.
• Kids age 15 and up can use all machines, as well as free weights.

4. Pool & Aquatic Center

Want to go for a swim? Our pool has two swim lanes, a large family space, a vortex area, and a two-story water slide! You’ll also find a sauna and whirlpool in our Aquatic Center, which your child can use if they’re age 12 and up.

For parents with babies age 3 and under, we offer a Swim Starters class. Your little ones will explore the water while you learn how to supervise, prevent accidents, and plan for emergencies.

No matter what age your child may be, he or she can get active with you at the Y! Whether you’re trying to get in shape, lose weight, or learn a new workout, we have lots of activities that bring families together.

Have questions about our parent/child classes and facilities? You can contact us anytime.

The Lafayette Family YMCA is a community dedicated to healthy living and social responsibility. For more fitness tips and to stay up to date about YMCA events, connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram, or visit our website here.

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Thanksgiving is almost here, which means a day filled with family, food, and fun is just around the corner! If you’re hosting dinner, knowing the day is near might make you feel excited, nervous, or a combination of the two — especially if you have children. 

While it might be tempting to kick everyone out of the kitchen so you can prepare a nice meal in peace, getting your children involved lets them bond with you and learn more about the holiday and your family’s traditions. Here are five ways you can include your kids on Thanksgiving: 

1. Preparing for the Meal

Along with planning your Thanksgiving Day menu, you may have to account for picky eaters. So let the kids know about the veggies you’ll be eating on Thanksgiving, especially the ones they don’t like. When you set the expectation early on that this is what everyone will be eating and that’s that, you can reduce the risk of a picky-eater meltdown at dinner.

Once you’ve told your children about the Thanksgiving menu, make the preparation more fun by letting them choose their own potatoes, pumpkins, green beans, and other produce you need from the store. You can also talk about traditional Thanksgiving foods on the way to the grocery store, which will help your kids better understand why we eat certain things on the holiday. 

2. Giving to Others

Thanksgiving is a time to be grateful for our loved ones and for the necessities we have, like fresh food and warm clothing. It’s also a great opportunity to support others who might be struggling this Thanksgiving and to offer them a reason to be thankful.

No matter how old your children are, teaching them to be generous and put others first is a wonderful thing. Have them go through old toys and clothes to see what they could donate to people in need. Or, your kids could help you donate canned food by going through the cupboard or grocery shopping with you.

3. Decorating & Table-Setting

Let the kids get creative with decorating for dinner! One way to do this is to go outside with them the day before to find colorful leaves. Press the leaves in a book overnight so they’ll lay flat on the table for decorations. Or, your children can trace the leaves on brown, orange, red, and yellow paper, then cut them out (with your help) for the table.

Once the decorations are ready, water glasses are filled, and napkins are folded, your kids can also set the table with plates, utensils, and placemats. They can make these cute coloring placemats by writing “I am thankful for…” at the top of a piece of paper. Your children (and guests) can fill in the blank with pens or crayons, then share what they’re thankful for during dinner. Drawing or doodling on the placemats is encouraged, too!

4. Greeting Guests

Running back and forth from the kitchen to the living room to greet your guests can be exhausting — and it’s a recipe for water boiling over when you’re not watching it! So why not let your kids play host and give yourself time to finish up the meal? 

Your children can say hello to family and friends as they arrive, take their coats, and show them where the drinks and snacks are. Your guests will love this (because it’s adorable and polite!), and it will let your kiddos work on their manners and social skills.

5. Prepping & Cooking Food

If your kids aren’t greeting guests or setting the table, have them help you in the kitchen! Younger children can hand you ingredients, wash lettuce, or scrub potatoes, while older ones can help you with cutting, mixing, and cooking. They could also arrange fruit or vegetable slices into a turkey — a cute alternative to a regular fruit salad or veggie plate.

Another way to get kids excited about preparing the meal? Let them have their own Thanksgiving dish! You can teach them about the ingredients in a recipe, then help them prepare and cook it. Then, you can name the recipe after your child, like “Michael’s Mac and Cheese” or “Penny’s Pumpkin Pie.” Your kids will love having a special dish named after them and served just for Thanksgiving!

When you include your kids on Thanksgiving by following these tips, your family will create wonderful memories and maybe even new traditions!

Want more healthy and delicious recipe ideas? 

The Lafayette Family YMCA is a community dedicated to healthy living and social responsibility. For more fitness tips and to stay up to date about YMCA events, connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

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Kids should try sports for many reasons, but here are five things that’ll improve when they get up and play:

1. Short- & Long-Term Health

Youth and teen sports may be the answer you’ve been looking for if you have to drag the kids away from the TV or their phones. In 2018, the American Heart Association reported that kids spend an average of seven hours a day on computers, phones, and TV. But playing sports can ward off obesity as your child loses interest in sitting still to look at screens.

Along with leading more active lives today, kids who play sports are less likely to have health problems later in life. Short-term benefits for active children include:

• Better balance
• Strong muscles and bones
• Hand-eye coordination
• Endurance
• Reduced body fat

And long-term benefits may be:

• Chronic disease prevention
• Lower risk of cancer
• Lower risk of high blood pressure

2. Teamwork & Leadership Skills

An obvious benefit of joining a team is learning about teamwork! When kids play group sports, they must work well with others to pass the ball, communicate across the field, and help someone up if they fall. That teamwork and communication are skills they can take with them to school, for group projects, and in their future jobs.

Research also shows that sports can help children and teens build goal-setting and leadership skills. This is especially true if they’re team captains, but the benefits apply to anyone on the squad. When kids work together to win championships or score a certain number of points per game, they learn to encourage each other toward those goals.

3. Confidence & Mental Health

Positive, encouraging coaches and teammates can help your child build confidence in his or her abilities. You may have seen a coach pat a player on the back after he comes out of the game, or a player give her teammate a high five after scoring a goal. These simple gestures recognize a job well done, and your kiddo will feel great for succeeding on the field or court.

Building confidence by playing sports will also boost your child’s mood. One study surveyed students who exercised six to seven days a week, as well as students who exercised zero to one day a week. Only 25 percent of the first group reported signs of depression (feeling sad for two weeks or more). On the other hand, 35 percent of the less active group reported sad feelings. Thus, sports benefit children’s mental health as well as their physical health.

4. Organization & Time Management

It’s no secret that sports keep kids busy — but that’s a good thing! Your child will learn early on how to budget time for practice, homework, and games. This will also help to limit the screen time you may be worried about. For example, your kiddo may not be able to watch TV if she comes home from practice at 6, then has to finish her homework before bedtime at 9.

Not only will your child learn to keep her calendar organized; she’s also less likely to be interested in risky activities. For example, when kids and teens are occupied with school and sports, they don’t smoke or abuse drugs as much as their non-athlete peers. This isn’t to say you should max out your kid’s or teen’s schedule, but focusing on homework, sports, and friends is time well spent for any child.

5. School & Work Performance

Team sports can also benefit kids in the classroom by improving concentration. This helps them score up to 40 percent higher on standardized tests than students who don’t play sports. What’s more, high school athletes are 15 percent more likely to go to college than non-athletes. While not every student wants to go to college, it’s encouraging to know that sports play a role in helping kids achieve goals like higher education.

Athletes can also thrive in the workforce. Those who played team sports are more productive at work and may even earn 7 to 8 percent more than their non-athlete coworkers. This is especially true for active women. A survey of 400 female executives found that 94 percent had played a sport, and 61 percent said that sports helped them succeed in their careers.

Youth sports provide a fun environment as kids develop useful skills like time management and leadership. Your child will also stay healthy, become a great teammate, gain confidence, and succeed in school.

Whether your kiddo enjoys soccer, t-ball, or basketball, youth sports are a great opportunity for all children. If you’re looking for financial help, ask your gym’s front desk about scholarship programs.

The Lafayette Family YMCA is a community dedicated to healthy living and social responsibility. For more fitness tips and to stay up to date about YMCA events, connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram, or visit our website here.

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As it turns out, there are plenty of options that you didn’t know were good for your heart. We dug into the facts behind these nine heart-healthy (and delicious) foods.

1. Almonds

Some people steer clear of almonds because of their high calorie and fat content. But all nuts are relatively high in calories, so you can eat a small handful of almonds (or 1.5 ounces) each day. And their fat is monounsaturated — which studies have shown can lower cholesterol. This means almonds can help you lower your risk of cardiovascular disease.

Almonds are also high in protein and fiber, so eating them can help you lose weight. Protein lets you feel full after eating a handful of almonds, and fiber aids in digestion.

2. Avocados

Avocados are another high-fat food that people may avoid, but the fruit contains monounsaturated fats. Research has linked this healthy fat to a lower risk of cancer, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. In fact, eating one avocado a day can boost your heart health by lowering LDL cholesterol.

Besides “good” fats, avocados are full of fiber and antioxidants. You can enjoy avocados as a sandwich or salad topping, or by mashing up the fruit into guacamole. Make sure to swap out high-fat corn chips for fresh veggies to dip in the guac!

3. Berries

Love blueberries and strawberries? They affect your heart more than you may think. In a Harvard study of 93,600 women, researchers analyzed their different diets. The women who ate three half-cup servings each week were 34 percent less likely to have a heart attack.

Berries are also full of anthocyanins, anti-inflammatory compounds that fight heart disease. So go ahead and load up your smoothie, cereal, or yogurt with blueberries and strawberries!

4. Dark Chocolate

Who says chocolate is always a guilty pleasure? Dark chocolate contains antioxidants and flavanol, a disease- and inflammation-fighting chemical.  Eating flavanols can help you lower blood pressure and improve blood flow to your heart.

Dark chocolate also has fewer calories than other types, and it can help you lower LDL and prevent plaque buildup. Make sure you limit the sweet treat to 1 ounce a day, and look for at least 60 percent cacao in your chocolate.

5. Flaxseeds

Flaxseeds may be small, but their nutritional value is mighty! The seeds contain plenty of magnesium, potassium, zinc, fiber, and proteins. You’ll also find lots of alpha-linolenic acids (ALA) in flaxseed. This omega-3 fatty acid will help you fight off inflammation and cardiovascular diseases.

Omega-3s also help your body regulate blood clotting and artery wall contraction. What’s more, healthy fats help your heart beat at a steady pace. All the more reason to top your soups and salads with heart-healthy flaxseeds!

6. Golden Kiwis

While the green kiwi you’re used to has lots of antioxidants, try its cousin the next time you’re at the grocery store. Per serving, golden kiwi has more polyphenols (an antioxidant) than green kiwis.

Why load up on the antioxidants? These molecules prevent unhealthy fats from oxidizing in your arteries. Eat golden kiwi to avoid inflammation and plaque buildup!

7. Lean Meat

Not all red meat is full of saturated fat that will raise your blood cholesterol levels. In an American Journal of Clinical Nutrition study, researchers assigned people to one of four diets. The subjects on a daily diet that included 4 ounces of lean beef decreased their LDL levels by 10 percent.

What does this mean for your daily diet? If you’re sticking to 95 percent lean beef, you can lower your cholesterol and risk of heart disease. Try cuts like round, chuck, or top sirloin for the best lean meats.

8. Peanut Butter

Some people avoid peanut butter because it contains saturated fat. While this is true, it helps to look at the amount of each ingredient to determine how healthy a certain food is. For example, one serving of peanut butter (about 2 tablespoons) contains an 80/20 ratio of unsaturated to saturated fats.

People who eat peanut butter are less likely to develop heart disease or type 2 diabetes. That’s because peanut butter has 12.3 grams of unsaturated fat per serving, which helps in reducing LDL cholesterol.

9. Purple Potatoes

If you’re worried about packing on the pounds with potatoes, we have good news. Participants in a University of Scranton study didn’t gain weight after eating purple potatoes. This was thanks to the vegetable’s lower glycemic index and inflammatory elements.

Purple potatoes also contain a unique blend of antioxidants like anthocyanins. Eating plenty of anthocyanins can help you lower high blood pressure levels and reduce your risk of heart disease.

Add these nine heart-healthy foods into your diet to boost your cardiovascular health! If you need help preparing these foods or want ideas on how to incorporate them into family dishes, don’t worry. Ask your local community center if they offer a learning kitchen or healthy cooking classes.

The Lafayette Family YMCA is a community dedicated to healthy living and social responsibility. For more fitness tips and to stay up to date about YMCA events, connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram, or visit our website here.

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In this blog, we’ve outlined nine foods (and drinks) that are actually bad for you, as well as healthy alternatives to each one.

1. “Low-Fat” or “Fat-Free” Foods

In the 1950s, heart disease was the leading cause of death for Americans, especially those with meat-heavy and cholesterol-rich diets. Health experts hoped that by urging people to reduce their fat intake, cholesterol levels and heart complications would go down—even though this remained a hypothesis and not a proven fact. 

But while heart disease-related deaths plummeted between the 1970s and 1990s, the condition itself remained constant despite the low-fat diet fad. That’s because manufacturers replaced fat with large amounts of sugar to compensate for the flavor food loses when you remove fat. And too much dietary fructose (or sugar) has been proven to contribute to cardiovascular disease, as well as type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome.

Instead of automatically selecting low-fat or fat-free snacks and meals, add healthy, low-sugar fats such as olive oil, avocados, and salmon into your diet.

2. Granola

Whole-grain granola might seem like the perfectly balanced breakfast, but some types have up to 50 grams of sugar in just a ½-cup serving. That’s more than a 12-ounce can of Coke! The oat-based food is especially unhealthy if it contains ingredients such as brown rice syrup, dextrose, or evaporated cane juice.

To avoid the sugar rush, Indianapolis-based dietitian Annessa Chumbley recommends making your own granola at home. This way, you’ll know exactly what’s in your breakfast or snack, and you can limit the amount of sugar you add. Try this delicious, nutritious, and easy granola recipe with your family!

3. Apple Juice

Apple juice (and other fruit juices) may contain vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, but it also lacks fiber and is chock full of liquid sugar—the only part left of the actual fruit after processing. In fact, one 12-ounce serving of apple juice contains 165 calories and 39 grams of sugar. That’s 25 more calories than a can of Coke, and just one less gram of sugar!

While apple juice may be more filling and flavorful than water, you’re better off sticking to H20 when it comes to hydration. And if you’re in need of a snack, whole apples will give you the taste of its juice counterpart without all the calories and liquid sugar.

4. “Whole Wheat” Products

Ever heard the saying, “The whiter the bread, the sooner you’re dead”? Well, whole wheat bread may not actually be that much better for you. Many varieties have the same (or similar) glycemic index as white bread. Manufacturers pulverize the grains into a fine flour in wheat and white bread, which leads to rapid blood sugar spikes.

In addition, modern wheat is less nutritious than wheat products of the past. That’s because, in the 1960s, scientists modified the genes in wheat to produce a higher yield. But studies have shown the wheat we consume today contains fewer minerals than what our ancestors ate. What’s more, modern wheat may also contribute to inflammation and high cholesterol.

Instead of buying whole wheat bread, look for whole-grain options that haven’t gone through the pulverizing and refining process.

5. Processed Breakfast Cereals

Many kinds of cereal claim to be “whole grain” or “low fat,” and they’re marketed to children (and, thus, their parents) as a delicious part of a balanced breakfast. But most cereal is highly processed and made with refined grains, which removes fiber, iron, and B vitamins from the original grain. And many types of cereal even list sugar, high fructose corn syrup, or glucose as the second or third ingredient!

If you choose to eat cereal, make sure it’s a low-sugar, fiber-rich, or protein-packed one. Or, swap out the food altogether and start your day with egg whites or Greek yogurt with fruit.

6. Low-Fat or Flavored Yogurt

Yogurt is a great option for a snack or side, but steer clear of the low-fat and fruit-flavored varieties. While less fat and real fruit in the dairy treat sound promising, some varieties contain more sugar than a piece of cake! And when manufacturers remove fatty acids from the yogurt, you’re more likely to still be hungry after eating a low-fat version—which can lead to overeating later in the day.

Instead of settling for unsatisfying yogurts with sugary fruit, try adding sliced strawberries, blueberries, or mango to unsweetened or Greek yogurt. You’ll feel fuller after enjoying your fresh snack and have more energy!

7. Veggie Straws & Chips

Veggie chips and straws have grown in popularity recently, but these potato chip “alternatives” aren’t that much better for you than the original thing. The straws are mostly made from potato and corn, while the chips are still higher in sodium than regular potato chips. In addition, both veggie straws and chips are stripped of fiber, and they only contain 60-70% produce. So, they’re not “full” of spinach, beets, or zucchinis, as some packages might claim.

Instead of reaching for a bag of chips in disguise, snack on carrots and celery. You can even add some hummus if you want a filling (but nutritious) dip.

8. Sports Drinks

Sports drinks have also been marketed as an answer to our nutritional needs, but that’s not the case. Sports drink manufacturers tout these beverages as a way to replace the electrolytes (or salts) we sweat out after exercising. However, this mostly applies to professional athletes; most of us gym-goers don’t need additional electrolytes, and none of us needs the liquid sugar. The extra calories and artificial sweeteners can even cause tooth decay, especially in children.

Instead of caving into sports drinks with almost as much sugar as soda, sip cool water before, during, and after you exercise (and throughout the day!).

9. Protein Bars

Protein bars are an easy grab-and-go option for people looking to build muscle. And it’s true these bars are filled with fiber and, of course, protein. However, they’re also typically 300 to 400 calories; at that point, they’re a meal replacement, not a snack. Watch their sugar count, too. Some protein bars have 30 grams or more, which is comparable to most candy bars!

For an alternative protein-packed boost, you can make ants on a log with peanut butter. Your kids can help, and you’ll get to relive your childhood with a classic snack! And they’re light enough that you can enjoy them an hour before, or right after, you work out without feeling sick or overly full.

By avoiding these foods, enjoying them in moderation, or replacing them with healthy options, you’ll be able to make great strides in your path to better nutrition! And if you need help planning and preparing meals and snacks, your local wellness center is a great resource for cooking classes, health coaching, and more.

With two locations in Lafayette, Indiana, the Lafayette Family YMCA is a community committed to healthy living and social responsibility. For more fitness tips and to stay up to date about YMCA events, connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram, or visit our website here.

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Well, it turns out you can reflect, focus on your breathing, or just sit still for just a few minutes at a time and reap the health (and relationship) benefits of meditation. It can look different for everyone and still be effective! 

In this post, we’ve broken down what meditation actually is, why you should try it, and five practical tips for finding time to meditate on a busy schedule.

What is meditation, and why should I try it?

Kendra Cherry of Verywell Mind defines meditation as “a set of techniques that are intended to encourage a heightened state of awareness and focused attention.” These methods may include deep breathing, chanting, saying a prayer, practicing gentle yoga, or simply sitting still in a quiet place. Meditation is a centuries-old practice that’s often used for spiritual purposes, but you can also try these techniques independently of religion.

There are two types of meditation: concentrative and mindfulness. With concentrative meditation, you focus all your attention on a specific object or idea and tune out everything else. You can also just concentrate on your breathing to achieve a concentrative state. Mindfulness meditation allows you to make yourself open, aware, and accepting of the present moment—and any thoughts or emotions that come your way. You can use mindfulness to target different issues, such as depression or anxiety.

No matter which type you practice, meditation has various health and relationship benefits, like:

• Reduced heart rate and blood pressure
• Better stress management skills
• Improved memory and self-awareness
• Reduced anxiety, depression, and sleep issues
• More effective communication with loved ones
• And more

I’m pretty busy. How can I find time to meditate?

Whether you work long hours each day or are preoccupied with running kids to and from school and practice, finding time to meditate probably isn’t first on your list of things to do. But squeezing in a few minutes of mindfulness or concentration may be easier than you think! Here are a few practical tips for making meditation part of your daily life.

1. Schedule your meditations.

We remember to go to meetings, doctor’s appointments, and soccer games when we write them down in a planner or online calendar. So why not do the same for meditation times? By intentionally carving out a few minutes each day to concentrate on your breathing or become more mindful, you’re more likely to actually meditate. What’s more, you’ll prioritize your own wellbeing when you physically pencil in time to care for yourself!

So when should you meditate? The professionals at Mindful recommend setting aside a few minutes when you first wake up in the morning and just after sunset. Mornings are great for meditating because you won’t have to deal with as many distractions; for example, you don’t have to pull yourself away from your job before the workday begins, and you don’t have to wake the kids up for school yet. Just after sunset is a better time to meditate than right before you go to bed, when you’ll just want to sleep. However, this can be a signal to your body to wind down so you can reflect on the day. Everyone is different, so the key is to find the best time of day for you to meditate!

2. Power down as much as you can.

Even though you now know when to meditate, how are you supposed to ignore the phone ringing, text or social media notifications buzzing, and inbox filling up? Turning off your phone and computer, or putting them in another room, is the best way to remove these distractions. But if your job requires you to be on call, or you’re expecting a text from your child saying he’s on his way home, this may not be possible.

When you’re meditating, do your best to tune out non-emergency distractions that come up. For example, you can change your notifications so that Facebook messages and client emails make a different sound from phone calls you absolutely have to take. This will help you learn the difference between emergencies and noise—and with a clearer mind, you might be able to deal with that email more effectively after meditating.

3. Look for less-busy moments.

Sherry Chapman of Medium says a major problem with “busy culture” is we’re all so focused on being efficient and productive that we forget to be still. For parents and workers, it’s especially challenging to schedule meditation times or power down. So, Chapman suggests looking for moments in your day that are less busy, even if it’s just a few minutes (or seconds) at a time. This could come right after chaos—like turning in a big project or getting the kids to go down for a nap—where you have some breathing room to recover. Use these times to go for a walk, pray in your office with your eyes closed, or try yoga in your living room.

Headspace co-founder Andy Puddicombe has another tip for busy beginners: Attach meditation to another (preferably mindless) task you already do, such as brushing your teeth or applying makeup. Then, you’ll be more likely to actually meditate and make it part of your daily routine. You could also do some deep breathing while using the restroom, or visualize yourself on a beach (or another “happy place”) while waiting at the doctor’s office—other tasks that don’t require much thought but allow us a few moments of quiet and stillness.

4. Make it a family practice.

Whether you’ve just had a baby or you’re driving five kids around each day, carving out quiet time for prayer or mindfulness is more challenging once you start a family. But according to MindBodyGreen’s Lama Surya Das, parents are in a unique position because they now have children, which pushes them to live outside of themselves. And meditation is all about becoming more aware of the world around you, and not just yourself.

Instead of trying to separate meditation or prayer from time with your children, why not make it a family practice? You can do this by having a few quiet moments with them when you tuck them in, praying together in the car on the way to school, and even trying a parent-child yoga class. Your local family wellness center might also have a chapel for reflection and meditation. You’ll not only be able to find more time for mindfulness by incorporating it into family life; you’ll also teach your kids the importance of taking care of themselves!

5. Try a yoga class.

Yoga is an excellent way to pair mindfulness and deep breathing with physical activity like stretching, core work, balancing, and more. The practice can benefit your mental and physical health in a variety of ways, such as: 

• Decreasing stress and anxiety
• Reducing inflammation, pain, and fatigue
• Improving heart health
• Combating depression
• Promoting better sleep
• Increasing strength and flexibility
• Relieving migraines
• Promoting mindful eating
• And more

Check out your local gym to learn about yoga and mindfulness classes you can try.

With these five tips, you’ll master mindfulness and concentration and notice a positive difference in your mindset soon! If you’re just beginning to meditate, though, it’s important to avoid beating yourself up for missing a scheduled meditation time or getting distracted while trying to quiet your mind. Doing your best to become more open and aware of the things around you (even while slipping up from time to time) is better than quitting altogether! 

Not sure where to start? Try surrounding yourself with others who are learning to meditate by joining a prayer group, mindfulness session, or yoga class. Taking care of yourself is a lot easier when you’re in a supportive group!

With two locations in Lafayette, Indiana, the Lafayette Family YMCA is a community committed to healthy living and social responsibility. For more fitness tips and to stay up to date about YMCA events, connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram, or visit our website here.

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