How mindfulness can benefit our students
Schools today face greater challenges than ever before due to stressed students, mental health crises, and burnt-out teachers that ultimately result in staff turnover increases.
While we may do an excellent job preparing students academically, too many are underprepared emotionally and psychologically for the demands of university and adult life.
As mindfulness gains popularity around the world, these practices can be integrated into the school day and practiced together with educators. With practice, they have a profound impact on physical and mental health as well as academic, athletic and artistic performance. Here are a few ways in which mindfulness can benefit our students.
1. Improved focus and attention
Mindfulness is all about being present in the moment, paying full attention to whatever you are doing without judgment. When we train students to pay attention, they can tune out distractions, stay engaged, and absorb and utilise information more effectively.
2. Reduced stress and anxiety
Stress in schools is at an all-time high, and while it can motivate, it can also have a negative impact on critical thinking and emotional regulation. Mindfulness techniques such as deep breathing and meditation are just some of the tools we can use to help students manage stress and anxiety.
3. Boosting social emotional intelligence
While cognitive intelligence (IQ) plays a large role in school and everyday life, greater success is actually more closely tied to emotional intelligence (EQ). Through mindfulness practices, students learn to recognise and manage their emotions boosting empathy and understanding of others. These skills promote healthy relationships, reduce conflicts, and create a more positive and supportive learning environment.
4. Better decision making and executive functions
Mindfulness also improves self-organisation, impulse management and the ability to make thoughtful choices. This is key to prioritising tasks, setting goals, and managing time effectively.
5. Improved mental health
With mental health issues on the rise, mindfulness can help students struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma and more learn to cope, self-regulate, and even build resilience against developing mental health issues later in life.
6. A positive school culture
Lastly, when mindfulness and self-regulation are integrated into a school's culture and practiced by students, educators and the parent community, they foster a sense of belonging, kindness, and responsibility for all. The outcome is a more positive and inclusive learning environment where every student has the opportunity to thrive and succeed.
Final thoughts
Mindfulness training can be as simple and brief as a few moments of fun breathing in preparation for performances on exams or other challenging moments. By fostering these skills, schools can promote better academic performance, emotional wellbeing, and personal development. This is the foundation upon which successful, happy and resilient individuals are built.
Dr. Christopher Willard
Dr. Chris Willard has consulted and lectured at more than 100 K-12 schools (including Philips Andover Academy and Deerfield Academy), 30 universities (including Oxford, Stanford and MIT), educational organizations like the US Department of Education and businesses such as Google and Royal Bank of Canada.
TeachUp's wellbeing courses were developed in partnership with Dr. Christopher Willard, a practicing psychotherapist, lecturer, and faculty member at Harvard Medical School. Throughout our series of courses, Dr. Chris shares neuroscience-based practices that can be used by teachers, therapists, and others looking for creative ways to share mindfulness and promote wellbeing in their schools.
