This week's article is about the importance of mindfulness. Please read it when you get a chance. It's an interesting read.
The article discusses how the amount of incoming information we are bombarded with has grown dramatically. Simultaneously, the downtime we are given in our schedules has diminished just as dramatically. The result is that our brain doesn't have a chance to do anything with that information - process, make connections, etc. This has led to side effects such as increased stress, difficulty focusing on tasks, and emotional/psychological unrest.
Mindfulness is the art of being aware and in the moment, paying attention fully to what you are doing. While this may sound like some New Age mumbo-jumbo, the article points out that "several promising studies have demonstrated the power of mindfulness mediation in schools to improve executive functioning, reducing stress, anxiety and aggression."
As we enter a high stress time when students, parents and teachers alike have a lot of demands placed on them due to the approaching holidays, and the end of the semester, it is a good idea to take a little quiet time to yourself. In the future, I will share articles with some ideas to improve mindfulness, but here are a couple in the meantime:
Speaking of stress...
It's hard to believe it, but we are less than three weeks away from the end of the semester. It seems like just yesterday I was introducing myself to a new crop of students! With that in mind, there is precious little time to get what you want out of this semester - either by maintaining what you already have, or by doing something to improve your situation.
Please check in with your students and/or PowerSchool regularly these last few weeks. Encourage, remind, push them to stay on top of things.
I will accept late work and retests up until December 12th. If you choose to complete a retest, remember that arrangements must be made BEFORE the 12th. See me ASAP. There are requirements to relearn the material to qualify for a retest, and that takes time.
The article discusses how the amount of incoming information we are bombarded with has grown dramatically. Simultaneously, the downtime we are given in our schedules has diminished just as dramatically. The result is that our brain doesn't have a chance to do anything with that information - process, make connections, etc. This has led to side effects such as increased stress, difficulty focusing on tasks, and emotional/psychological unrest.
Mindfulness is the art of being aware and in the moment, paying attention fully to what you are doing. While this may sound like some New Age mumbo-jumbo, the article points out that "several promising studies have demonstrated the power of mindfulness mediation in schools to improve executive functioning, reducing stress, anxiety and aggression."
As we enter a high stress time when students, parents and teachers alike have a lot of demands placed on them due to the approaching holidays, and the end of the semester, it is a good idea to take a little quiet time to yourself. In the future, I will share articles with some ideas to improve mindfulness, but here are a couple in the meantime:
- Put aside the distractions for a moment. Sit silently, for just a few minutes, in a quiet place. Focus on your breathing for the entire time. See how long you can stretch out each breath. You might be surprised how clear-headed and relaxed you feel afterwards.
- The next time you are doing a simple, mindless chore - like washing the dishes - make it mindful. Completely focus on what you are doing, if just for a few minutes. Pay complete and total attention to what you are doing - the movement of your hands, the water, the sounds, the bubbles, the smell. Shut out any other thoughts for just those few minutes.
Speaking of stress...
It's hard to believe it, but we are less than three weeks away from the end of the semester. It seems like just yesterday I was introducing myself to a new crop of students! With that in mind, there is precious little time to get what you want out of this semester - either by maintaining what you already have, or by doing something to improve your situation.
Please check in with your students and/or PowerSchool regularly these last few weeks. Encourage, remind, push them to stay on top of things.
I will accept late work and retests up until December 12th. If you choose to complete a retest, remember that arrangements must be made BEFORE the 12th. See me ASAP. There are requirements to relearn the material to qualify for a retest, and that takes time.