Emotional wellness is an important topic amongst students at the moment, as a recent study has shown that many are suffering from the effects of stress. The study, carried out by the Toronto District School Board, looked at the wellbeing of students in terms of mental health, and reported that many of them were suffering symptoms such as anxiety, lack of sleep and depression.
The escalating crisis caused by the effects of stress has been obvious to teachers for a number of years now, and they cite a number of factors affecting their students’ wellness. These include poverty, peer pressures, the media and changing family dynamics.
Poor mental health can have a knock-on effect on education, so Canadian teachers are being forced to think creatively in their search for solutions. Some are now moving towards looking at the classroom and attempting to create a calm environment.
Mindfulness is a concept that originates in Hindu and Buddhist traditions, and focuses on keeping yourself aware and in the moment. This is often done by noticing your breathing and thinking about what is happening right now rather than worrying about the past or the future.
Mindfulness is now increasingly being used to treat medical conditions associated with mental health, such as depression, anxiety, addiction and eating disorders. Teachers are also being encouraged to use this method more within the classroom.
This is typically done by taking a couple of minutes out of the lesson to observe a sound (such as the ringing of the school bell) and then noticing the silence when it fades, and then concentrating on their breathing, placing their hands on their stomachs and becoming aware of how their bodies move as they breathe in and out.
This helps students to relax and also to practice important listening skills which they can use in other areas of their life.
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