Here at CHS, students have the opportunity to practice mindfulness and meditation in  small ways during school.The monthly Loo Review touches on ways for students to take stock of their mental health. Students are also invited to visit meditation sessions before exams and are encouraged to talk freely with peers and teachers about their general wellness. CHS may be a high stress environment, but it has made strides to be as comfortable for students as it is challenging.

But, if students are truly to exercise wellness in their ever-changing, high tension lives, it must be a conscious decision on their part. The resources at our disposal can only go so far if we don’t use them effectively, and the ones at school may not be enough for everyone.

An article from CNBC discusses three habits of successful people, recognized by author and entrepreneur Tim Ferriss. Indicating prosperous people like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Ferriss notes mindfulness as a common practice.

With factors like homework, extracurricular activities and standardized testing mandatory for motivated and ambitious students, it can be difficult to have a healthy relationship between socializing, sleep and relaxation. Somehow, intellectual students are expected to be social, successful and mentally healthy. The most efficient way for students to flourish in an intellectual environment while supporting their individual mental health is to engage in mindfulness techniques, such as yoga and meditation.

There is no doubt that American culture is shifting to promote mindfulness and relaxation into everyday routines. Forbes cited a study conducted by the Yoga Journal and Yoga Alliance in 2016 that showed 80 million Americans were likely to try yoga that same year. In a podcast entitled Sincerely, X, a Silicon Valley entrepreneur recounted using meditation to cope with debilitating depression. Despite these advances, such habits are only just making their way to adolescents.

The New York Times wrote about a study of students instructed to meditate in an attempt to boost their academic performance. According to the study, chronic stress can hinder brain development and learning ability. They also found that, to counter stress, practicing “transcendental meditation”, or meditation by creating a positive mantra, can relieve stress and stress related illnesses like anxiety, which high school students are all too familiar with.

The school participating in the study found positive results within a few years, with suspension rates dropping 79% and attendance rising to 98%, with grade averages steadily rising each year.

Life can be stressful. Especially at a school with such high work standards. Just remember, no matter how stressed you get, mindfulness and meditation can help you put things into perspective. So as the year starts winding up, let’s all just take a deep breath together. Do your homework, be on time to class, but don’t sacrifice your mental health in the process.