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Winter Stress-Buster Stations

Lesson Plan

Winter Stress-Buster Stations

Explore stress-relief techniques

This lesson involves students rotating through various stress-relief stations, such as journaling, mindful breathing, and simple yoga poses. Each station offers a unique way to calm the mind and manage stress, which is crucial for middle school students as they navigate academic and social pressures. By experiencing different techniques, students can discover what works best for them and incorporate these practices into their daily lives.

Audience

Grades 6-8 Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Explore stress-relief techniques

Materials

Journals, Pens, Yoga mats, Mindful breathing guide, Station instruction handout, and Reflection worksheet

Step 1

Introduction

5 minutes

  • Briefly introduce the concept of stress and its impact on well-being.
  • Explain the purpose of the stress-buster stations and how they can help manage stress.
  • Outline the activities at each station: journaling, mindful breathing, and yoga poses.

Step 2

Station Rotations

20 minutes

  • Divide students into small groups and assign each group to a starting station.
  • Allow 6-7 minutes per station, signaling when it's time to rotate.
  • Ensure students understand the instructions at each station using the handout.
    • Journaling Station: Write about a recent stressful experience and how it made you feel.
    • Mindful Breathing Station: Follow the breathing guide to practice deep breathing exercises.
    • Yoga Station: Perform simple yoga poses using the provided mats and instructions.

Step 3

Closure and Reflection

5 minutes

  • Gather students and discuss their experiences at each station.
  • Distribute the reflection worksheet for students to complete.
  • Encourage students to share which technique they found most helpful and why.
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Reading

Station Instruction Handout

This handout provides detailed instructions for each stress-relief station, ensuring students understand how to engage with the activities.

Journaling Station

  • Write about a recent stressful experience.
  • Reflect on how it made you feel and any coping strategies you used.

Mindful Breathing Station

  • Follow these steps for deep breathing:
    1. Inhale slowly through your nose for 4 counts.
    2. Hold your breath for 4 counts.
    3. Exhale slowly through your mouth for 4 counts.
    4. Repeat for several cycles.

Yoga Station

  • Perform the following poses:
    • Mountain Pose: Stand tall with feet together, shoulders relaxed, weight evenly distributed through your soles, arms at sides.
    • Tree Pose: Shift weight onto left leg and place right foot on inner thigh, hands in prayer position.
    • Child's Pose: Kneel on the floor, sit back on your heels, and stretch arms forward on the floor.
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Worksheet

Reflection Worksheet

This worksheet helps students reflect on their experiences at each station and identify which stress-relief techniques they found most effective.

Which station did you find most helpful? Why?

Think about how each activity made you feel.







How did the journaling activity help you process your stress?








Describe your experience with mindful breathing. Did it help you feel calmer?








Which yoga pose did you enjoy the most and why?








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