Dear College of Education Community,
Are you interested in discovering more about the benefits of mindfulness thinking? Mindfulness is the awareness that arises by paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, and remaining nonjudgmental. Mindfulness can be used in meditation, or simply practiced in everyday living. A 2012 American Psychological Association Monitor article has identified the empirically based benefits of mindfulness to include: reduced rumination; stress reduction; boosts in working memory; an increased ability to focus attention and suppress distracting information; less emotional reactivity; more cognitive flexibility; greater ability to respond well to relationship stress and the skill in communicating one's emotions to a partner; help with reducing psychological distress and fear.
Other researchers have identified the benefits of mindfulness in educational settings, Some examples are:
MICHAEL MRAZEK, PHD Director of research, Center for Mindfulness and Human Potential, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of California, Santa Barbara is researching ways to increase the effectiveness of mindfulness training, particularly in K-12 school settings.
PATRICIA JENNINGS, PHD Associate professor of education, Curry School of Education, University of Virginia is conducting innovative research on mindfulness in education. She recently published a randomized controlled trial showing that a mindfulness-based professional development program for teachers, CARE for Teachers, reduces teacher stress and improves classroom interactions.
CAT GASPARD, Ph.D. Associate Professor, California State University, Northridge completed a peer-reviewed curriculum on Mindset Math Camp in partnership with Northridge Academy High School. The curriculum, which includes mindfulness activities, has been instrumental in preparing students entering the 9th grade to succeed by decreasing D’s and F’s in math and increasing prosocial behavior. LAUSD now is contracting to have this curriculum to be used at multiple school sites.
To review the benefits of mindfulness please read more at https://www.apa.org/monitor/2012/07-08/ce-corner
For a list of many self-care options, please see our COE self-care website for resources for faculty, staff, students, and the community at:
https://www.csun.edu/eisner-education/self-care
Mindfulness can be one helpful way to engage in every day self-care.
Warmly,
Shari