Mindfulness Matters

 

The best way to practice BEING the CALM is by setting a good mindfulness practice for your self.

As we round the corner and head toward 6 weeks left we may all be feeling Spring Fever and the desire to be outside and ready to be done with school. A couple of years back this meme came to mind when I thought about how school staff feel this time of year...

We just want to skip testing and skip to the end and have summer. Students and staff alike feel it this time of year.

We all need help feeling motivated to wake up when the alarm goes off, get out of bed, dress, and drive to school. 

Studies show that having a good mindful, well-being routine, can help you stay focused, be healthy, and have the positive outlook you need to make it to the end, instead of skipping to the end.

In the course The Science of Well-Being, Dr. Laurie Santos shares studies on sleeping well, eating well, exercising daily, having a daily gratitude practice, extending kindness to others, creating connections, and having a daily mindful mediation practice. 

Starting your own mindfulness and well-being routine will  create a base for you to then be able to teach it to your students. Not just teach it to your students, but practice with them. If you want your students to become involved you need to lead by example. 

Remember if you need help with classroom mindfulness, I am resource, Inner Explorer is a resource, and I have a resource library of mindfulness cards, games, and books.

A fun mindfulness to do is the 5 senses. I would suggest saving the taste mindfulness for after May 13th when Ramadan ends. You could start with sight. Take students outside on a nice day and ask them to sit and observe the world around them. Ask them to take deep breaths and try to notice something new. Then move on to sound. Outside is another great place for a sound mindfulness. Again ask them to sit and be still and listen for all sounds they can hear. 

Next try touch. You could make small bags for each student and place something smooth inside, something bumpy, something fluffy, something cold (plastic ice cubs), something slimy, etc. Ask students to silently sit with eyes closed as they explore the bag with only a hand. 

Then explore smell. This one could be done outside or maybe as a silent walk through the building to note the different smells as they walk.

Last, is the fun tasting mindfulness. Bring a few options to try. Guide students to use other senses first encouraging them to look at the color, shape and size. Ask students to smell and touch and note everything they can about the food. Then ask them to place it on their tongue and hold it there. Does it make you mouth water, does it make your mouth hot, is it spicy, is it sour? How does it feel in your mouth, roll it around without chewing. Then chew. Slowly. Does it crumble? Is it chewing? Is it crunchy? 

Mindfulness can be an exploration and fun. It's about being completely in the present.

Find some time each day to create a practice for yourself and then find time to engage your students.