Benefits of Mindfulness: Improving Well Being In Young People

Efforts to improve mental health can be addressed from many different angles. Research shows that practicing mindfulness has many outstanding benefits for young people. So what exactly does practicing “mindfulness” mean? It goes beyond learning skills to cope with emotional difficulty. Instead, mindfulness means learning ways to improve well-being and building resilience to stressful situations. Practicing mindfulness is learning to take control over one’s mind and body in a meditational way to keep a clear, at-peace mind.

Here are a list of other benefits of practicing mindfulness:

• Better sleep
• Lower stress levels
• Decreased negative feelings
• Improved attention
• Better management of chronic pain
• Prevention of depression relapse
• Reduced anxiety
• Improved brain function

The How To: Practicing Mindfulness Daily 

Recognizing the benefits of practicing mindfulness is only the first step of getting on the road to improved mental health. Putting mindfulness into action is the next and most important step. Using the benefits to encourage one to practice mindfulness is a great idea. But next they may ask “how do I do that?”
Here are some ideas on how your loved one can reap the benefits of practicing mindfulness:

• Dedicate time a space to practice mindfulness. The key is to make this action a priority. This is a time one should dedicate to focusing on oneself. Come up with a space and schedule in time for your loved one to commit to practice mindfulness.

• Encourage them to be present in that moment. The main idea behind mindfulness is being present and forgetting about the chaos and stress around them. This is an important element of emphasis.

• Pay attention to thoughts, feelings, actions, and motivations. One should step back and analyze themselves as a whole. Come to terms with the emotions they feel in the body and release them through breaths.

• Relax and let go. I repeat: relax and let go. Mindfulness is about being calm, doing nothing, but becoming in tune with one’s mind. This is a personal time where one should feel no pressure or stress.

Asheville Academy can help

Asheville Academy is a therapeutic boarding school for girls ages 10-14 who struggle with learning, behavioral, and emotional diagnoses. This program is social, emotional, and academically focused in order to empower girls to move forward and transition smoothly back into their home and school life. Students gain a greater sense of confidence, ability to manage emotions, and the skills to communicate effectively.

Contact us at 800-264-8709