What is Mindfulness for Teachers and is it something you could benefit from? Why not sit back, read on, and perhaps find the ultimate de-stress tool to save your sanity!
Ours is an age of global markets, intense competition, and time scarcity. As a result, many of us feel overwhelmed, irritable, and worn-out. We are constantly looking for a work/life balance or the next trendy way to relax.
Just look at the popularity of cookery shows and books…cookery books used to be the star of the bookshelves, but coloring books for adults appear to have taken over that role…
But why?
While drawing between the lines was once reserved for children, coloring is now being used as a form of alternative therapy to help adults relieve stress and anxiety.
“As part of the American Psychological Association’s Mind/Body Health campaign, a survey revealed the impact stress is having on Americans’ physical and emotional health. Harris Interactive conducted this online survey of adults and young people ages 8 to 17.”
Key findings:
“Most Americans are suffering from moderate to high stress, with 44% reporting that their stress levels have increased over the past five years. Concerns about money, work and the economy top the list of most frequently cited sources of stress. Fears about job stability are on the rise, with 49% of respondents citing such fears as a source of stress — up from 44 percent last year.”
It’s no wonder we’re on a desperate search to find some inner peace!
So…. is getting out your coloring pencils the new weapon of choice in this battle to live a less stressful daily life?
Coloring is a great way to introduce yourself to the concept of mindfulness. You just have to observe children coloring to see exactly how absorbing the activity is. The action of coloring requires the mind to focus on the present moment and this can make mindfulness more accessible to stressed adults.
Coloring can also provide us with a simple distraction to take our minds away from a stressful day. This unique experience for adults can transport us quickly back to our carefree, responsibility-free childhoods, thus bringing calm back to our current situation – it provides us with that little bit of healing escapism.
Slower breathing, concentration and eventual calmness come from the fact that we are absorbed in a simple activity – that stressful, fast pace is swapped for a gentler pace and a sense of inner peace. Once we are in the zone, we feel better about ourselves and in turn are better able to communicate with others.
Coloring is our route to mindfulness, which encourages us to live in the present moment, as well as connect and interact with others.
So, what do you think? Is this a way to help teachers de-stress from the daily rigors of classroom life? Is this something that could help you? Why not give it a go? Nothing to lose and everything to gain!
Let us share our gift with you today – stress free teachers mean happy students!
