cover image Mindfulness for Students: Embracing Now, Looking to the Future

Mindfulness for Students: Embracing Now, Looking to the Future

Natasha Kaufman. Leaping Hare, $13.99 ISBN 978-1-78240-767-6

English secondary school teacher and debate coach Kaufman shares essential stress-reducing tips in her short, instructive debut guide for incorporating mindfulness practices into high school and college classes. Starting with descriptions of hormones and body changes that begin with puberty, Kaufman presents stress as a necessary but avoidable part of growing up. She offers a variety of ways to deal with stress, including breathing exercises, eating a healthy diet, and meditation practice. Throughout, she reminds readers of the deep connection between one’s physical and mental well-being (“if you are able to calm your body, you are able to calm your mind”) and encourages a regular digital detox in order to concentrate on mindful listening (paying close attention to one’s own thoughts). While targeted to students, her simple meditation exercises will be valuable to stressed-out readers of any age. In her conclusion, she advises trying to bring mindfulness practices into daily interactions: “By bringing consciousness to the manner in which we listen, we are able to stay open to the viewpoint of those who are speaking and to recognize personal judgements as they enter our minds.” General readers in need of stress relief and teachers interested in the benefits of meditation will find helpful guidance here. (July)