9/21/2020 - Mindfulness

Mindfulness

How many of you have heard of the term Mindfulness before? Some of you may have experience from other classes, teachers, or schools with Mindfulness. Mindfulness is the act of being aware of where you are in the present moment. Not thinking about the future, or the past, but being right where you are. There are many ways that we can become "present" in our bodies, but like me you may be wondering, WHY I would want to do this?

Without looking at the rest of this lesson, I want you to think about some problems you might be having in your life right now. What are your stressors? What are the things causing turmoil in your life right now? Be as specific as possible. Is it just homework in general or one specific assignment? What about that assignment is troubling? Is it hard to complete a project that large? Is it hard to work in a group?

After you have completed your list, try to think about potential solutions to this problem?

Now, I want you to understand directly from the research why Mindfulness could be beneficial in helping you solve many of your problems!

Take a look at the research linked above - was there something that related to a problem you are already having?

The research around Mindfulness is very compelling. It can help you:

• pay attention better

• be less distracted

• learn more

• stay calm under stress

• avoid getting upset too easily

• slow down instead of rush

• listen better to others

• be more patient

• get along better

• gain self-control

• get tasks finished

• feel happier and enjoy things more

In this week's blog, I want to give you the chance to create "Mindfulness Flowers". For this activity you will need a printer, popsicle sticks, scissors, and a glue stick. You can also just look at the activities on each flower, and try them to see what works for you!

1. Print out the flowers

2. Cut the flowers in strips horizontally, so that when you fold them in half you have one mindfulness exercise on each side. Place glue on your popsicle stick, and place the popsicle stick in between your two flower sides. Allow to dry and place in a jar!