Effortless attention trainings: The intersection of attention and mental health in children and teenagers

Abstract

This chapter presents several effortless attention trainings—mindfulness, yoga, qigong, nature exposure and more especially, autogenic meditation—which not only improve attention but also facilitate stress reduction and emotional regulation. Cultivating serene attention is a relevant strategy to promote mental health and well-being in children and teenagers. Fostering serene attention plays a fundamental role in shaping life experience because part of the individual’s identity and knowledge is founded on what they pay attention to—their conscious experience. By training children and teenagers to focus and direct their attention from a calm state of mind, we allow them to mould their own conscious experiences, laying the foundation for a balanced and fulfilling life.