In a fast paced world where ever pressing deadlines encroach at a constant rate and the buzz of society is a never ending drone inside our brains, taking time to yourself to slow down can be one of the most rewarding aspects of a daily routine. A mindful moment can be as long or as short as you need, whether it be taking a few deep breaths while waiting at a traffic light or scheduling a full yoga routine into your day; even the shortest mindful moment can pay off in improving mental health.

Taking a moment or two to relax and clear your mind during class can be important too, and that’s something Meghan McGinty, an English teacher at State High, has been implementing in her classes. “I think [mindfulness is] useful in the classroom for reducing anxiety and stress but also increasing focus, productivity, and compassion,” McGinty said. “I’ve noticed such a drastic increase in my students’ stress levels and anxiety levels and I thought, ‘This is the thing that has most changed my life; maybe it could be useful to them as well.’” McGinty has been practicing mindfulness in her own life for the past 6-7 years and has been including it in her classes for the past 3. “Many [students] have reported that it helps them to calm down, that it’s the only time they pause in a day, and that it’s a really nice transition between classes,” McGinty added. “I like that it gives us time to prepare before class and relax,” said Caylee Thompson, a student in McGinty’s Advanced English 11 class.

Thompson added that she would find it beneficial if more teachers implemented mindfulness in their classes, which is exactly what McGinty hopes to accomplish. “I do faculty presentations that are sponsored by the school and supported by administration to help encourage staff to both practice mindfulness themselves…and also to share it with students.” Even if your teachers do not include mindfulness in class, just a few minutes a day can make all the difference and improve your life as a student.