Most of us transition from a relaxed carefree mindset as a child to a serious and stressed mindset as adults. Children remind us of important life truths we may have forgotten. Most adults breath from high up in the chest. This type of breathing is triggered by the sympathetic nervous system when we are experiencing the "fight or flight" response. Emotions become intense, muscles tense, and stress products are dumped into our blood stream in preparation for action. Remaining in this state day to day, as most of us do, stresses our internal organs and reduces our quality of life. Observe how a young child breaths, they breath from the belly. When we consciously change our breathing from the chest to the belly, we activate the parasympathetic nervous system which initiates the relaxation response and calms the mind and body.
As adults, we can drive or walk great distances without noticing any of the beauty or wonder around us. We live day to day missing out on tremendous sources of joy. Observe a child, when they take a walk or arrive at a park, they exclaim,"wow!" at the trees, the grass, the flowers, the birds, the squirrels, etc. Reminding ourselves to be childlike can restore a level of relaxed and joyous living once forgotten.
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