Let's face it, teaching is a recipe for stress and overwhelm. Deadlines loom, papers pile up, and sometimes it feels like the word ‘meeting’ itself is enough to do you in… Enter mindfulness. Now, I'm not talking about levitating or achieving instant enlightenment (although that would be pretty cool). Mindfulness is simply the practice of paying attention to the present moment without judgment. It's about acknowledging your thoughts and feelings
without getting swept away by them.
Here's the thing: it wasn't always easy breezy mindful mantras. To be honest, it still isn't. But I have made the intentional decision to work towards a happier mindset, and part of that is changing the ways in which I react to stressors. My first attempt at mindfulness involved a moment of meditation that included a racing mind, a growling stomach, and the overwhelming urge to check my email (again). But slowly, with practice, and maybe a few silent freak-outs, mindfulness has started to find it's footing in my day to day life. I’m definitely not there yet, BUT I am beginning to truly feel the benefits.
In someway shape or form, mindfulness is helping me become a calmer, more resilient individual. It gives me a chance to hit the pause button before reacting. Instead of reacting or becoming visibly irritated I can take a deep breath and choose a more constructive response or, better yet, no response at all. When the pressure builds, I can use mindfulness techniques like focusing on my breath to bring myself back to the present moment and prevent irritation or anxiety from spiraling.
My fellow teacher warrior, here are some easy to incorporate, mindfulness techniques you can try, to get you through when you are having a rough moment.
The 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Technique: When you feel overwhelmed, name 5 things you can see, 4 things you can touch, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell, and 1 thing you can taste. This simple practice helps bring your attention back to the present moment.
Take a Mindful Breath: Close your eyes and focus on your breath. Feel your stomach rise and fall with each inhale and exhale. This simple act can calm your body and mind.
The Body Scan: Focus your attention on different parts of your body, noticing any tension or discomfort without judgment. This can help you relax and release physical tension.
Remember, mindfulness is a practice, not an end result. There will be days when your mind wanders like a lost stapler or roll of tape. But the more you practice, the easier it becomes to cultivate a sense of calm amidst the classroom chaos. So, take a deep breath, teacher friend, and join me on this journey to becoming more mindful educators (and maybe a little less frazzled in the process).
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