What is Mindfulness? 5 Benefits of Mindfulness for Students

by Kayla Reetz, C2C Licensed Affiliate, Founder of Safe Harbor Yoga

When we were younger, our parents always told us to “Be careful”, “Watch your step”, “Look out”, or- my personal favorite- “listen to your gut”. Little did we know back then our parents were trying to teach us to be more mindful.

When looking up the definition of mindfulness, I found two definitions. The first is “the quality or state of being consciously aware of something”, which may be where our parental figures’ catch phrases come from.

The second definition was: “a mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations…”. As a trauma-informed educator, I feel this definition in my soul. This is what we strive for in ourselves when a child is in their lowest state and working through it. And, boy, is it hard to achieve even for us adults.

I taught music in public school systems from grades PreK-12 for almost ten years of my life. What I have come to notice most is the behaviors we see in schools are, typically, directly related to trauma. What I saw the most in my last years of public education were students who were in that first level of awareness. Their body and mind were so wrapped up in the stimulus of the moment, their bodies did the only thing it could- react in the fastest and quickest way possible. As we know, the quickest and fastest way is not- usually- the best way.

So how do we teach young minds to not only be aware, but be present? What if we could teach children to be aware and accept the feelings and thoughts of each moment? What if we joined them on that journey? How much safer would they feel to know they are not alone?

I return to a quote from the Dalai Lama that is the center of Challenge to Change, Inc’s purpose in schools. It used to be the first thing I saw when walking into the studio: “If every 8 year old in the world was taught mindfulness, we would eliminate violence within one generation.”

5 Benefits of Mindfulness for Students

Mindfulness gives the opportunity to become aware of the body through feelings, emotions, and reactions, as well as opportunities to learn the world through various perspectives. Students and teachers learn supplemental emotion regulating techniques to enhance what they are already teaching and not detract from it .

1. Improved Focus and Concentration: Mindfulness helps students stay present, making it easier to absorb information and stay engaged during lessons and study sessions.

2. Reduced Stress and Anxiety: Regular practice promotes emotional regulation, helping students manage academic pressures and personal challenges with greater ease.

3. Better Decision-Making and Impulse Control: Mindfulness supports thoughtful responses over reactive behavior, improving classroom behavior and social interactions.

4. Enhanced Sleep Quality: By calming the mind, mindfulness can lead to better sleep, which is essential for memory, learning, and overall well-being.

5. Greater Self-Awareness and Resilience: Students develop a deeper understanding of their emotions and thoughts, empowering them to handle setbacks with confidence and clarity.

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In doing this, we promote proactive behavior instead of reactive behavior. We practice techniques that notice and acknowledge our reactions before we respond, giving each person more control of the outcome. In doing this, we promote self-control, self-advocacy, and self-assurity. In short, we teach how to “listen to your gut”. Now imagine if the students in your community were able to have that for themselves and how it might alter the future. What a world that could be!

I see you. I honor you.

~Kayla