Special children, autistic children, ADHD children, and willful children should practice mindfulness.

How does mindfulness improve the brain?

• Improves memory, Increases intelligence, Promotes reasoning, Improves management and work performance, Improves mood, Promotes compassion, Facilitates sleep, Stabilizes the body, Prevents depression, anxiety, mood swings, and cognitive decline

The earlier you start, the better the long-term results. Facebook, Google, Apple, and other large companies offer mindfulness courses to their employees because they have proven to increase profits and employee happiness, making them a worthwhile investment. Some online courses cost between 10,000 and 20,000 baht.

• Mindfulness training is the practice of focusing on the present moment.

Every religion has a form of this practice. In Buddhism, it is called the Four Foundations of Mindfulness and meditation.

Scientific data on the brain and fMRI over the past 30 years have concluded that people who practice mindfulness for 2 months experience many positive changes in their brains.

This is because the brain is flexible and can create new neurons (neuroplasticity & neurogenesis). This makes the brain younger and slows down cognitive decline.

(1) Frontal Cortex

• The frontal cortex is responsible for decision-making, reasoning, planning, improving executive function, and controlling emotions.
• Mindfulness has the most significant effect on this part of the brain.

(2) Amygdala and Pons

• The amygdala is the part of the brain that is responsible for fear and anxiety.
• Mindfulness reduces the activity and size of this part of the brain, which reduces anxiety, fear, pain, and stress. It also slows down the heart rate and reduces the activity of the sympathetic nervous system.
• Brain waves become calmer and more relaxed, entering the theta wave state.
• This makes it easier to fall asleep.

(3) Hippocampus

• Mindfulness increases memory and reasoning.
• It may help reduce cognitive decline and dementia.

(4) Social Neural Circuit, Temporo-parietal function

Mindfulness increases oxytocin and vasopressin, the hormones of bonding.

• It increases the ability to observe and remember facial expressions.
• It increases the reward circuit through dopamine.
• It increases empathy and compassion for others and reduces resentment (which can lead to insomnia).
• It helps people live together peacefully.

(5) Anterior Cingulate Cortex

• The anterior cingulate cortex is responsible for motivation, attention, and control of body movements.
• Mindfulness increases motivation, attention, and concentration, leading to better work performance.

(6) Default Mode Network (DMN)

• The DMN is the part of the brain that is active when we are not doing anything, daydreaming, or getting distracted.
• Mindfulness helps the brain switch to another mode called the Task Positive Network (TPN), which increases focus, intention, and present-moment awareness.
• Therefore, mindfulness can improve all aspects of life, including happiness, work, finances, love, and family.

It is a cool happiness, not a hot happiness.

Note: There are many schools that offer a Buddhist way of life that emphasizes self-care, meditation, mindfulness, and living with nature. These children are calmer and more peaceful.