Ways to encourage mindfulness in the classroom: Opinion

Instructors can support students by incorporating mindfulness into their classes, writes Irina Popescu. Popescu argues that starting classes with just five minutes of mindfulness exercises can encourage student participation, help students feel heard, and promote mental health. The author describes a variety of techniques, such as starting classes with a meditation, body scan, and writing exercise to help students move their minds inside of the classroom; asking students to discuss their meditations; and providing “brain teaser” questions that deal with emotional responses to a problem set. Popescu encourages instructors to incorporate activities into their classes that promote self-reflection and prioritize creating a helpful environment for students. Inside Higher Ed (Subscription) Note: Archived stories may contain dead links or be missing source links.