Life can be stressful. Juggling school, friends, activities, and chores is a lot. Want a way to keep calm when you feel overwhelmed or frustrated? Experts suggest mindfulness. That’s the practice of focusing on the present, not dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. Studies have shown that mindfulness practices reduce stress and anger.
Just ask Ross Robinson. He works for the Holistic Life Foundation (HLF) in Baltimore, Maryland. The group teaches mindfulness practices like meditation, yoga, and breathing techniques to tens of thousands of kids.
Robinson knows the benefits of mindfulness firsthand. Nearly 20 years ago, he was part of one of the first groups of students that HLF worked with. Back then, Robinson was having a tough time in middle school and getting in a lot of fights. It got so bad that he didn’t want to wake up to go to school in the mornings. He credits mindfulness with bringing out his inner happiness and changing his life.
Now Robinson wants to share some of HLF’s tips with you.
“These are tools kids can take with them so they can have a mindful moment no matter where they are,” Robinson says.