Mindfulness - A helpful tool in everyday life!

Christina Baudis, Wellness Department Head

“Mindfulness means maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, emotions, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment with openness and curiosity.” ~Mindful Schools

Most people have heard of the word mindfulness and I would assume most students have as well. Practicing mindfulness in schools has been trending for years as more educators not only believe in its benefits personally, but also believe in the benefits for students. According to the researchers at Mindful Schools, “youth benefit from learning mindfulness in terms of improved cognitive outcomes, social-emotional skills, and well being.”

Watch and listen to how students and educators explain what mindfulness means to them.

Why is mindfulness more important than ever? Prior to COVID 19, youth were living in an increasingly more busy, stressful and complex media driven world. Now, following the outbreak of COVID 19, the same remains true, but in a world that is essentially virtual. Practicing mindfulness now could be the key to maintaining balance when it comes to life physically, socially, and emotionally.

Mindfulness practice can look different for different people and can evolve over time. “Mindfulness can be thought of as a “state,” a “trait” or a “practice.” You can have a moment of mindfulness, which is the state of your mind. You can also have a sustained experience that is more like a habit or strong tendency to be mindful, a trait. Or you can engage in a more intentional practice of mindfulness by using different forms, postures, and activities, such as seated mindfulness meditation, mindful walking, and mindful eating.” (Mindful Schools)

Over the past year, the Wellness Department has committed to teaching about the benefits of mindfulness and allowing time to practice in classes. This past week, students in the Lower School were given the task to explore different options for mindfulness, practice on their own and reflect on its benefits. The following are among the options provided:

Ways to practice mindfulness: Mindful eating, mindful breathing, mindful walking, mindful word
Daily Calm | 10 Minute Mindfulness Meditation | Be Present
Mindful running
GUIDED COLOR MEDITATION FOR MINDFULNESS
Mindful Coloring Pages
Beginners Origami
Mindfulness for Actresses/Actors
10-Minute Yoga For Self Care - Yoga With Adriene
Mindfulness for Musicians

I encourage you to have conversations at home about mindfulness and explore ways that you and your child could begin to make mindfulness a habit in your daily lives.

Relevant Articles:

The Power of Mindfulness: How a meditation practice can help kids become less anxious, more focused Child Mind Institute
Mindfulness for Children New York Times
25 Fun Mindfulness Activities for Children and Teens Positive Psychology

Mindfulness Apps and Websites:

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