Facts:
-Meditation changes breathing.
-Stress affects breathing.
-Getting out of a stressful moment or situation rewires the brain.
-The body changes physically during meditation.
-Breathing through the nose changes body chemistry and slows things down.
-Breathing in and out is one breath cycle; most people breath 12-14 times per minute.
-Effects of meditation can be felt 30-60 minutes after completing a meditation.
-Calming down helps with blood pressure.
Types of Meditation
-Mindfulness
-Breath Counting
-Moving
-Mantra (repeat a sound or focus on a sound)
Strategies:
-Sit quietly, separate from the world around you and balance your body.
-If you are really stressed, slow breath counting even more. Breathe in, hold, count, and then breathe out and count.
-Mindfulness: With your eyes closed or open, sit, stand or walk and think and focus on sounds, etc around you.
-Students hold a raisin in their mouth and feel the texture, notice the taste, etc.
-Discussion: How did you feel when you came to school today?