Having a balanced life is incredibly important for students, especially with all the uncertainty that continues to be rife due to the pandemic. Traditionally students experience stress from exams, academic competition, and pressure from peers, parents and themselves. These pressures continue to be amplified by a lack of clarity over how assessments and final grades will be awarded this year. The past 22 months have seen varying approaches. With Omicron surging, there is a sense of inevitable déjà vu as students prepare to reenter school with mask mandates and more significant uncertainty.
To help ease their stresses, the practice of mindfulness and meditation can offer a moment of calm amongst the madness by encouraging focus on what is happening presently rather than thinking about the past or future. Interestingly, some more progressive schools are now adopting mindfulness in their curriculum, especially for younger age groups. It is believed that instilling this practice amongst students from a young age can improve academic productivity and performance in school whilst helping ease pressures at home. Taking a few long breaths and emptying the mind of day-to-day worries can go a long way in enhancing productivity and general satisfaction and acceptance of the world around us.
What are the benefits?
Reduction of stress and anxiety
Meditation gives students a fresher and more clear mind, as well as the ability to think in a more relaxed way. Directing focus toward the moment rather than jumping from thought to thought and thinking presently instead of toward the future helps promote positive emotional thinking and ease students’ internal stress. It’s been proven to help remedy self-doubt, lack of confidence, and rigid thinking.
Improves focus and attention
The unfortunate reality of smart devices and social media is that they promote distraction — with so much of this around us, there is a limited amount of what we can focus on at any given time. Meditating can help adjust and improve your attention, directing focus to the present moment.
Builds a consistent memory
When students have the ability to focus and actively listen during lessons, staying more present, the information processed by memory will be improved. Study notes and revision tools will be taken more mindfully, therefore becoming more beneficial in the long run and helping students successfully retain the new information.
Gathers social intelligence
Being mindful encourages conscious observation of thoughts and feelings, thereby creating a sense of freedom and empowered control. It helps develop emotional awareness, garnering a better understanding of peer reaction and general social situations. Being present and aware of surroundings also teaches a better understanding of one another’s feelings and needs.
Useful Apps:
– Mindful Powers (iOS)
– Breathe, Think, Do with Sesame (Android / iOS)
– Headspace (Android / iOS)
– Twinkl (online materials)
If you have any further questions on the above or are interested in learning more about mindfulness and its benefits, please contact Quintessentially Education.
