At GIS, where academic rigour meets global ambition, our students are encouraged to strive, grow, and lead. But amid the pursuit of achievement, it is easy to overlook one of the most underrated wellbeing tools available to us all: the pause.

In a fast-paced school environment, the pressure to constantly perform, respond, and react can leave little room for self-awareness. Yet, research in neuroscience and psychology shows that taking a deliberate pause — even just a few seconds — can have transformative effects on emotional regulation, decision-making, and overall wellbeing (Siegel, 2010).

Pausing allows the brain to shift from a reactive state (driven by the amygdala) to a more reflective state (engaged by the prefrontal cortex), increasing the likelihood of thoughtful, values-driven responses rather than impulsive ones. For students, this can be the difference between reacting in frustration during a group project or responding with empathy and perspective.

We often tell students to “take a deep breath” — and while it may sound cliché, breath-focused mindfulness is one of the most evidence-based ways to create space between stimulus and response. Studies show that even brief mindfulness practices can reduce anxiety, improve focus, and increase compassion (Keng et al., 2011).

At GIS, the WeGrow advisory programme is designed to help students recognise the power of these micro-moments. Whether it’s pausing before responding to feedback, before taking an exam, or during a moment of social tension, the pause is not a delay — it’s a strategy. It teaches students to slow down just enough to access self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and better judgement.

Pausing also fosters gratitude. When students step back from comparison, perfectionism, or pressure, they begin to notice what is already going well — their progress, friendships, and strengths. It creates a shift from “what’s missing” to “what’s here.”

As we move through the term, let’s encourage our community to value the pause — not as a break from learning, but as an essential part of it.

Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is stop… just for a moment.