HOW MEDITATION HELPS STUDENTS IN SF SCHOOLS

I am a huge proponent of meditation and fully believe in the benefits of daily practice, both because I have studied the ancient practice and experienced the many benefits in my own life. One of my goals is to help parents learn how implementing short meditation breaks can help a young mind develop.

You can imagine my excitement when I recently found a story on NBC News which covered this very topic! According to NBC, the San Francisco Public School District partnered with the Center for Wellness and Achievement in Education to introduce a meditation program during the school day. The program is referred to as "quiet time," and teaches students to sit quietly and meditate for 15 minutes twice a day. This commitment of extending the school day by 30 minutes for meditation, resulted in better academic performance and a 75 percent decrease in suspensions, according to NBC News.

Students say they're more conscious of their actions, calmer and less angry because of the time they spend meditating. According to Mayo Clinic, meditation has been found to increase focus and stimulate a sense of calm throughout the day. Mayo says emotional benefits can include:

• Gaining a new perspective on stressful situations
• Building skills to manage your stress
• Increasing self-awareness
• Focusing on the present
• Reducing negative emotions

Sounds like a program every school can benefit from! To read the full story click here.