Mindful Breathing Exercise

Objective: Help students focus and relax by guiding them through a simple breathing exercise.

Instructions:

1. Find a Comfortable Position:

   • Ask students to sit comfortably in their chairs with their feet flat on the floor and hands resting on their laps.
   • Encourage them to close their eyes if they feel comfortable, or to gaze softly at a point on the floor.

2. Focus on Breathing:

   • Instruct students to take a deep breath in through their nose, hold it for a moment, and then slowly exhale through their mouth.
   • Guide them to pay attention to the sensation of the breath entering and leaving their body.

3. Maintain Awareness:

   • Encourage students to notice any thoughts or feelings that arise without judgment, simply acknowledging them and gently bringing their focus back to their breath.

4. Continue the Exercise:

   • Lead the students through several cycles of deep breathing, suggesting they count to four on each inhale and exhale to maintain a steady rhythm.

5. Conclude the Exercise:

   • After a few minutes, ask students to slowly bring their awareness back to the room, wiggle their fingers and toes, and open their eyes when they are ready.

Tips for Mindfulness:

• Remind students that it's normal for their mind to wander during the exercise. The key is to gently redirect their focus back to their breathing.
• Encourage them to practice this exercise regularly to help manage stress and improve concentration.

Reflection:

• After the exercise, invite students to share how they felt during the activity and any observations they made about their thoughts or feelings.

Follow-Up:

• Suggest students try this exercise at home or whenever they feel stressed or need to refocus.

Positive Self-Talk Prompts Worksheet

Instructions:

Use the prompts below to practice positive self-talk. Write your responses in the spaces provided. Reflect on how each statement can influence your emotions and behavior.

1. I am capable of...
   Think of something you are good at or a skill you are proud of. Write it down and remind yourself of your capabilities.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. I am proud of...
   Reflect on a recent achievement or something you have done that makes you proud. Describe it here.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. I can improve by...
   Identify an area where you would like to grow or improve. Write down a positive action you can take to make progress.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

4. I am grateful for...
   List a few things you are grateful for in your life. Consider how gratitude can enhance your emotional wellness.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

5. I choose to focus on...
   Decide on a positive aspect of your life or a goal you want to achieve. Write it down and think about how focusing on this can benefit you.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Reflection:

How did it feel to engage in positive self-talk? How might you use these statements in your daily life to support your emotional wellness?

Remember, practicing positive self-talk regularly can help boost your confidence and improve your overall well-being. Keep this worksheet as a reminder of your strengths and goals!

Mindful Reflection Exit Ticket

Instructions:

Reflect on today's lesson about mindfulness and positive self-talk. Answer the questions below to share your thoughts and insights.

1. What is one thing you learned about mindfulness today?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. How can positive self-talk benefit your emotional wellness?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. Describe a situation where you might use mindfulness or positive self-talk in your daily life.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

4. What is one goal you have for practicing mindfulness or positive self-talk in the future?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Thank you for participating in today's lesson! Remember to keep practicing mindfulness and positive self-talk to enhance your emotional wellness.