Mindfulness & Meditation 6:
Building a Meditation Practice Skills
Dear Friend,
April is recognized as National Stress Awareness Month. Let’s highlight how Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) in schools can help address various forms of stress and improve mental and physical well-being for students and educators.
SEL empowers young people and adults to co-create thriving schools and contribute to safe, healthy, and just communities.
Find out how the following mindfulness and movement practices can help reduce stress for you and your students.
Mindfulness Activity of the Week
Letter of Gratitude
Future-tripping is a great way to reduce stress. Imagine a day in the future when the challenges you’re working through or the goals you’ve set for yourself are complete—all done! Now write a letter of gratitude to yourself for all your hard work. Here’s how:
- Set a timer for 10 minutes.
- List the challenges you’d like to solve or the goals you’d like to accomplish in the next six months.
- Handwrite a letter to your future self, thanking yourself for your ability to work through hard things and all that was needed to achieve your goals.
- Acknowledge your wins and celebrate your learnings.
- Save the letter and set a reminder on your calendar to read it in six months.
- Optional: Educators may provide and collect self-addressed envelopes and mail them to their students in six months.
Sample Letter:
Dear Your Name:
I know the past 6 months have not been the easiest for you. Between juggling homework, a part-time job, and extracurricular activities, you’ve had a lot on your plate. I am so proud of you! You’re getting it all done even though it’s tough. No matter how hard things got, you continued to try and show up. Way to go! High five! Look at all you’ve accomplished!
Love,
Your Future Self
Movement Activity of the Week
Standing Thigh Stretch – Chair Practice
Practice aligning your mind and your body to reduce stress.
