Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center recently shared a brief mindfulness exercise that educators can use to help themselves during a stressful moment or day. This is a quick and simple technique that only takes a few minutes (or even less!), and it can be a helpful way to feel grounded and centered.
Stand with your feet about shoulder width and relax your knees so that you don’t lock them.
Bring your attention to a point in your abdomen about two inches below your navel and about an inch into your body. This is the actual center of gravity of your body.
Spend a few minutes focusing on this point and feeling gravity connecting your body to the earth.
This practice can be incorporated almost anywhere and anytime. It can be especially helpful before you walk into your classroom in the morning, before a potentially difficult conversation with a parent, or anytime during the day that you notice yourself feeling overwhelmed.
If you’re interested in learning more about this grounding technique, click here to visit the Greater Good Science Center website.
