Grade level: Grade 6 through 12
These mindfulness practices will help students notice their own feelings in their mind and body when being kind or having a positive experience. Instead of focusing on what others are feeling or saying, the awareness of one's own experience can become the motivator for continued positive choices, resulting in happier and more positive classrooms.
Kind Thoughts
This practice is designed to cultivate connection with others, and to bring intentions of kindness and comfort for ourselves, especially when life’s emotions pull us down. The phrases are meant to plant seeds within us for safety, happiness, good health and peace.
5 Finger Gratitude
Gratitude, or appreciation, is a thought, or feeling, of being thankful for someone or something. Paying attention to what we appreciate can take our mind off what is bothering us and lighten our mood. When we appreciate moments of happiness, warmth or joy in our day, we are also training our mind to be more positive, which can increase the natural frequency of these thoughts.
Noticing Thoughts
We have many thoughts every day, both pleasant and unpleasant. Some are about the past, or what has already happened. Some are about the future, or what we expect to happen. Noticing our thoughts and naming them helps take the power from them so we can manage the underlying difficulty.
Calming Your Nerves to Study
This practice helps manage nerves while studying. Many find preparing for tests and writing papers stressful and avoid studying altogether. These normal feelings and behaviors can be discouraging, but by noticing and identifying our stressful thoughts and feelings, we can find a balance of focused energy and kind thoughts to support ourselves.
Calming Your Nerves for Taking Tests
This practice can help to manage your nerves for taking a test. Nervous feelings and behaviors are normal during a test, but too many strong feelings can prevent you from being able to access your best thinking. These feelings and behaviors, which are normal, can be discouraging. By noticing and identifying our stressful thoughts and feelings, we can find a balance of focused energy and kind thoughts to support ourselves for each section of the test.