Mindfulness in Schools: Helping Students Cope with Stress Post-COVID

Schools across the US, including Roberta T. Smith Elementary in Georgia, are incorporating yoga, meditation, and mindfulness exercises to help students manage stress and emotions. Research supports this trend, especially in low-income areas. Programs like Inner Explorer, accessible to communities of color, offer hope for reducing stress and improving mental health in children.

At Roberta T. Smith Elementary School, third-graders, mere days away from summer vacation, eagerly participated in their daily mindfulness exercise. As they traced their thumbs from their foreheads to their hearts, a pre-recorded voice guided them through the 'shark fin,' a meditation technique.

'Listen to the chimes,' instructed their teacher, Kim Franklin. 'Remember to breathe.' Similar mindfulness initiatives are emerging in schools nationwide, helping students manage stress and emotions, particularly post-COVID. Research shows these practices are beneficial, especially in low-income areas facing high levels of stress or trauma.

Programmes like Inner Explorer, assisted by organizations such as GreenLight Fund Atlanta, ensure these exercises are accessible to communities of color. Despite the political debates, advocates argue the programs deliver essential support for students' mental well-being.

The CDC reports indicate that a significant number of students are grappling with persistent sadness, underlining the need for such interventions. 'There are real skills that we can give our teens to ensure they cope with big emotions,' said CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen. The Inner Explorer program is now in over 100 districts nationwide, supporting students and teachers with brief, regular sessions of breathing, meditating, and reflecting.

Feedback from students like Aniyah Woods and Malachi Smith showcases the positive impact of mindfulness on their ability to cope with stress and improve self-awareness.

(With inputs from agencies.)