Tag: Mental health

Health / Wellness, Mental health, self care, Stress / Anxiety, Yoga

Unlocking the Benefits of a Morning Meditation and Yoga Routine

Cassandra Troughton

Today, Let’s Go Back

Way back… 

Back when I first started as an Educational Assistant in a special needs classroom right here in Alberta, Canada. 

This career path as an Educational Assistant was not the job I intended to take after high School. 

To be honest, the transition into adulthood was a stressful time in my life. Adulthood hit me smack in the face at 19 years old. Reality set it and I realized I had to do something with my life. And I had to do something quick…

I opted to follow in my mother’s footsteps, who was a classroom Educational Assistant herself. 

Although it was not a planned intention, I found my purpose in the classroom. I loved supporting these kiddos. I loved being able to make a difference in little lives.

As a new and enthusiastic Educational Assistant, I kept busy to stuff the stress of the realities of being an adult… You know the stresses – bills, taxes, college debt… 

So, I committed fully to my work. I helped out where help was needed. I said yes to anything anyone asked of me.

I tired out quickly… 

Little did I know, I was on the path towards burnout early in this new career.

At the end of each day, I’d get in my car and prepare myself for an hour-long drive home. Get home and scrape up whatever energy I had left to cook supper. Immediately after, I’d head to bed in sheer exhaustion. 

Going all-in to my new job was not the answer to my stress.

Feeling depleted each morning (Let me tell you, I hated mornings…), I would set my alarm to get up at the last possible moment that would have me out the door and on time for work. 

I’d get to work, get busy, and repeat the cycle – all. over. again.

It didn’t matter how much extra sleep I’d get, I never felt rested. 

I was tired, groggy. I stopped going to the gym. My health suffered – mentally and physically. 

I needed to make a change.  

Here’s the thing: I love learning! I’m a real book nerd if I do say so myself (and a proud one)!

When things aren’t working, I read, I research. And I implement.

I happened upon some books and articles that spoke about the benefits of a solid morning routine – Waking up earlier to start a morning meditation and yoga practice and get the brain going with some reading and journaling.

At first, I thought it was crazy… 

How could getting up even earlier in the mornings make me LESS tired? 

How is losing sleep supposed to give me more energy?

I was skeptical, but I couldn’t help but give it a try.

And you know what… It worked! 

This was 7 years ago now and since I’ve started a morning meditation and yoga routine, I’ve NEVER looked back. 

Turns out, I actually LOVE mornings now. 

All these years I’ve been getting up each weekday morning at 4am – Call me crazy, but I love the dark quiet and peacefulness of the early mornings.

(But don’t worry, I do listen to my body when my body tells me I need some extra sleep).

I begin each morning with meditation, yoga, reading and journaling. 

And because of it, I found myself having an abundance of energy. I’ve found myself happier and healthier. I’ve found myself more cognitively aware. And more productive! 

Who would have thought that sacrificing just a bit of sleep for a solid morning routine could do all that?! 

How It Works!

Studies have shown that a morning routine that incorporates meditation and yoga can improve physical and mental wellness! When we are mentally and physically at our peak, we receive plenty of benefits throughout our day – like a boost in energy and productivity!

Yoga and meditation reduces stress, improves sleep quality, increases focus, and enhances cognitive function – It improves our ability to rationalize and make better choices. 

We change on a physiological level – our brain experiences changes in activity, our heart rate changes, and our bodies begin to release different hormones like cortisol and dopamine. 

These physiological changes are directly related to cognitive and emotional changes – Our mood improves, we begin to foster a positive outlook on life, motivation and energy levels increase – all of which are essential for a productive day!

You can capitalize on these benefits by scheduling your meditation and yoga routine at the beginning of each day!

Doing so will set the tone for your day ahead!

Looking for some tips to getting a morning routine going?

Stay tuned for my next post where I’ll break down 7 crucial tips for establishing a consistent morning routine – and LOVING it!

Until then –

If you’re curious about what books I read about routines, check out this one:

The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod.

I read quite a few, but this one impacted my routine the most. It’s short and simple.

Its simplicity saved my life.

With love,

Miss T.

Mindfulness, Mindset, self-development

Stuck Living The Same Mediocre Day, Every Day? Get Unstuck With This Transformational Lesson from Einstein!

Cassandra Troughton

“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting different results.”

– Attributed to Albert Einstein

Here I am, sitting down for lunch in the Staff Room.

The Staff Room is buzzing. Buzzing with people. With conversations.

But, what I really mean by conversations… is complaints…

The Staff Room is the place for venting. Apparently.

Here, staff vent about their students. They vent about coworkers. They vent about their families and home life.

I only listen.

I don’t chime in.

I don’t contribute to their complaints.

Because, I just don’t get it..

I See These People Do and Say the Same Things… Every Day…

“Why can’t Kellen just listen?! His personality is too hard to teach…”

But, have they done anything different to help this kid?

Nope.

“Mrs. Bell in the office is always ignoring me.”

Well, have they tried saying ‘Good Morning’? Or asked about her day?

Nope.

“My husband and kids drive me crazy! I’m just too tired to deal with them after work!”

But, have they scheduled any time for self care? Have they done anything proactively?

Nope.

How Can Anyone Expect Anything to Change, If They Don’t Change?

To get different results, we need to do something different.

We can’t rely on our current habits and conversations if we are expecting different results.

Same goes with the staff room table… No one benefits from engaging in the same complaints day after day. And no one has taken any step to change their outcomes.

So… How can they expect the next day to be any different?

What Are Your Goals?

Do you want to have better days at work? Do you want to be happier? Do you want to be healthier? Do you want to make more money?

Whatever your goals, wishes, or dreams are…

Ask yourself:

Do Your Habits Match Your Goals?

Chances are, if you’re stuck in the same cycle of complaints, then they don’t.

You’ve been doing the same thing each day.

Same habits, same you.

Things will never change.

If You Want REAL CHANGE, You Need To Be The Change!

You want less stressful days at work?

Can you change something about your day? Or… go out on a limb and change careers entirely!

You want to be happier?

Can you start looking for joy in each day? Can you start practicing gratitude?

You want to be healthier?

Can you make a step towards healthier habits? Can you eat more vegetables? Or find ways to move your body daily?

You can.

You just need to align your habits – what you say and do – with your goals.

To experience external change, you need to tackle internal change.

Be the change. See the change.

With love,

Miss T.

Health / Wellness, Mental health, Mindfulness, Mindset, self care

Does Your Morning Set You Up For Success? Check Out These 5 Tips On Building a Top-Notch Morning Routine

Cassandra Troughton

Well, September is almost over… And that means our focus this month has been getting back into a routine with work and school.

Oh has it…?

Has it been tricky to get back into a routine this new school year?

If it has, don’t worry – You’re not alone!

This blog post is especially for you to help you make the most of your routines!

With routines, we can build positive habits into our lives.

If you had to implement just ONE routine into your day, design yourself a morning ritual that will assure a thriving day ahead.

A solid morning routine can set the motion for your whole day.

Morning routines have shown to make us

  • Happier,
  • Healthier, and
  • More Productive

Does your current morning do this for you?

If not, here is how to construct yourself a morning ritual that will guarantee a successful day and successful life:

#1. A Successful Day Begins With a Successful Night:

Making sure to get enough, consistent sleep, will allow for an easier wake up the next day. Sleep is crucial for our brains and bodies to get the rest they need – it improves our memory, learning, decision-making and even our creativity. Another way to enhance our mornings is to get our mindset ready the night before. We can do that with some positive affirmations like:

“Tomorrow will be a great day…”

“I will wake up with ease…”

“I will accomplish everything I need tomorrow…”

#2. Don’t Let Your Phone Be The First Thing You Grab Upon Awakening: 

Many of us start our days by checking our emails or social media, but this isn’t what will set our days up for success. Often, we get stuck in “the scroll”… Wasting time scrolling through feeds… While we may see it as useful or a fun way to start the day, our subconscious is busy comparing ourselves to others… Not a way to take on the day.. We need to start off the day with something(s) that nourishes our soul and allows us time to focus on ourselves.

#3. Get a Moment Of Silence: 

This silence could mean meditation (if you’re into it), or visualizing your day, or your future! You may even want to use this moment of silence to contemplate a problem that you need to solve. Meditating, Visualizing, and Contemplating help us feel more in control of our days. And our lives. And you don’t have to carve out a large chunk of time either- it could be 30 seconds, or a few minutes… You get to decide!

#4. Exercise Your Brain: 

This could be done by journaling, or reading, even through art. Use your interests to decide how you want to start the morning exercising your brain. Taking the time to exercise your brain helps to improve its functioning, balances both hemispheres of the brain, and helps to keep it sharp with age!

#5. Get Your Body Moving: 

Find what works for you! If you HATE running… Don’t force yourself to run in the mornings. It will end up working against you. Tailor this to your interests. It can be something as simple as stretching, or doing 10 minutes of yoga, maybe weight training or some cardio. Whatever you choose, make sure it’s something you enjoy doing. And something that’ll get you excited to get out of bed in the mornings!

“This is great and all, but what if I don’t have time?”

Then, I would ask you… are YOU not worth making the time for?

I say, YOU ARE WORTH IT!

No one said you have to carve out a whole hour in your morning to have a successful day ahead! I mean, you can eventually get there.. if you want to.

But begin with waking up just 10 minutes earlier.

That’s it!

Adding 10 minutes in the morning to guarantee an accomplished day…

It’s an easy ‘yes’ for me!

With love,

Miss T.

Education, Kids, Mental health, Mindfulness

5 Effortless Mindfulness Practices Any Teacher Can Add To Their Classroom Routine With Ease

Cassandra Troughton

The 2022/2023 school year is around the corner…

(Quite literally… NEXT WEEK! At least here in Canada… :P)

So, let’s get all you Educators out there motivated and ready to practice mindful moments this upcoming school year!

(Future you and your students will thank you for it!)

Are you ready…?

Time.

There just never seems to be enough of it.

Especially in a teacher’s day.

Always asking:

“How can I find the time?”

And understandably so…

Teachers have an extensive list of to-do’s!

An extensive, never-ending list…

HOW can we make time for Mindfulness?

Mindfulness is critical for students’ success, emotional intelligence, and for building life skills.

Mindfulness is essential for teachers’ success, peace of mind, and to prevent burnout.

So, where do we find the time?!

I have the answer for you!

Here are 5 EFFORTLESS Ways to Add Mindfulness into Your Classroom TODAY:

  1. Greet Students at the Door with Gratitude

    Many teachers greet their students at the door each morning. Instead of just saying hi… add a fun “Question of the Day” element by asking kids “What are you grateful for?” before entering. Not only is it a fun way to practice mindful gratitude, you’ll also learn more about your students’ lives!
  2. Take a Belly Breath In Between Classes

    When switching from Math to Science, or English to Social, take a quick moment to pause for a breath. Have students place their hands on their bellies and take one big deep collective breath together. Remind them they are breathing out the previous activity to make room for the next!
  3. Self Check-In’s

    First thing in the morning and at the end of the day, set a 30 second timer and have your students do a quick self check-in. Have students close their eyes (if comfortable) or gaze softly at a spot on the ground. Ask them to pay attention to any thoughts they are having, emotions that come up, or sensations in their body. Remind them not to place judgment on what comes up. Just notice it.
  4. Tapping Before a Test

    Before a test or any difficult assignment/activity, take 30-60 seconds to do a little tapping. Tapping is a wonderful way to decrease stress, it helps your students get into the right mindset before any nerve wracking activity. A quick minute is all you need. You can lead it or put on a tapping for kids youtube video! Try tapping in combination with positive affirmations too.
  5. Warm Up for Gym with Yoga or Mindful Stretching

    Gym is already part of the curriculum. And we already talk about the importance of stretching with our kids. Moving forward, add the mindful element to your stretching practice before beginning your gym class. Remind kids to stay focused and quiet. To pay attention to their bodies and the sensations from each stretch. 

Well, There You Have It!

Some simple ways to sneak mindfulness into your day, everyday!

Time is on your side with these simple classroom mindful moments!

Happy 2022/2023 School Year!

With love,

Miss T.

Education, Health / Wellness, Mental health, Mindfulness, Mindset, Stress / Anxiety

Kids Keeping You On Your Toes? How to Find Mindful Moments In You Day Even If You Just Don’t Have The Time

Cassandra Troughton

“If only I had more time…”

“My schedule is packed…”

“My plate is just too full…”

These are some of the things I hear often when people answer the question:

“Have you practiced mindfulness with your kids today?”

Whether you’re a parent or a teacher… I get you…

Time is a hot commodity that we are always running out of.

Your hands really are full – You’re busy wearing ALL the hats, and doing ALL the things.

BUT, I want to share a secret with you…

You DO Have Time for Mindfulness!

Listen,

When we hear the word mindfulness, we assume we need to carve out a large chunk of time in our days to focus on a single mindfulness practice – like meditation.

This is not the case!

Mindfulness can be weaved in throughout our days, ALL day!

Mindfulness Isn’t Just a Practice…. It’s a State of Being!

We can practice mindfulness when:

  • We are eating our food mindfully
  • We are actively listening and engaged in a thoughtful conversation
  • We are going for a walk and paying attention to our surroundings

The point of mindfulness is to focus our attention on ONE thing – to minimize distractions.

You Don’t Need To “Schedule” Time for Mindfulness.

While you sure can, it is not a necessity! It’s not even a requirement!

It might be helpful at first to write down reminders or come up with a written plan of how YOU want to add mindfulness to your kids (and your) lives.

(Because lets be real here for a moment, if you’re expecting your kids to be more mindful, then you sure as hell be too! Role modelling for the WIN!)

Either way…

You don’t need to add anything or change your schedule around.

You just have to change HOW you view the things that you currently do.

Open Your Eyes to The Possibility of Mindful Moments.

All you need is a minute.

Can you pause more throughout your day to get a quick deep belly breath in with your kids?

Can you use all 5 of your senses to enjoy your meal with your family at the dinner table instead of scarfing it down mindlessly in front of the TV?

Can you put away your phone when talking to your children? Be fully present for them?

YES, YOU CAN!

Mindfulness is a Necessity.

The world is busy and so full of distractions. Anxiety and depression are on the rise – they were well before COVID hit our world. Now, they are increasing at an alarming rate.

Kids (and adults too) are struggling more than ever to cope with stress and manage their ever-changing emotions.

Mindfulness is The Answer.

Living more mindful lives is what will save us.

With mindfulness, our kids will live long and healthy lives. They will more effectively manage their emotions and cope with the uncertainty in the world.

Because we know, uncertainty isn’t going away anytime soon.

We can’t control everything going on around us.

BUT, we can control our response…

We can control our internal states.

I Love the World and It’s Future Generations.

(And I know you do too.)

I envision a peaceful, mindful world – with less people worrying over uncontrollable’s, more people coping and understanding the value of their emotions.

I envision our kids leading their kids. Helping them to live mindfully, and lead healthy, full lives.

Do you see it too?

With love,

Miss T.

Health / Wellness, Mental health, Mindset, self care, Stress / Anxiety

Meaning Making Machines: Do You Filter The Stories Your Brain Tells You?

Cassandra Troughton

Do you notice that your brain comes up with stories?

You’re having lunch with a friend and theres a couple at another table getting into a heated conversation. You can’t actually hear what they are saying but… their faces and body language says it all.

Your mind automatically fills in the blanks.

It begins coming up with stories about what the couple could be arguing about.

“Maybe she caught him checking out the waitress…”

“Or maybe she spent a little too much of their money on those heels..”

No matter how ridiculous or unlikely the story we come up with is, our minds are willing to create it.

Our Brains Are Meaning Making Machines!

Our brains are designed to close loops. It fills in the gaps of missing information as if it is fact.

They label a story as either positive or negative.

But, do you notice….

Our brains lean towards labelling the negative, more catastrophic side of things?

Our Brains Are Designed to Help Us Survive, NOT Thrive…

The brains key function is to keep us safe and out of danger.

This kept us safe when days were simpler….

“Oh snap, that lion is approaching me with hunger in his eyes, I must escape…”

These days, it has definite downsides….

Debilitating, even.

I watched a video recently by Alex Hormozi who perfectly explains the downsides of labelling situations as positive or negative – especially when it comes to our Mental Health…

We See Experiences As Two Opposing Sides of a Spectrum

We label moments in time as either:

  • Good or Bad
  • Happy or Sad
  • Relaxed or Stressed

The problem is, when an experience isn’t ideal, our brains label it as a “negative experience.”

It kicks into survival mode. It tells us that this negative experience is “bad or wrong.”

It wants us to escape it – often by taking medication, or finishing off that 6-pack in the fridge…

The thing is….

These “negative experiences” aren’t bad at all….

They’re What Makes Us Human!

It is okay – in fact – normal to experience both highs and lows.

It’s part of the human experience.

It is a blessing to feel so many emotions – We need not condemn ourselves when we are feeling low.

So, Is Being Human The Problem?

Not at all!

Feeling a range of emotions – ups and downs – is human nature.

Just like it’s our brains nature to help us survive – even if that means telling us irrational explanations to an experience.

It’s up to us to decipher if the labelling going on in our brains is rational or not.

(Hint: most times… its not)

Man’s Search For Meaning

Alex Hormozi ended off his video by sharing a little piece of advice from this book by Viktor E. Frankl…

Viktor E. Frankl – for those who do not know – was a Holocaust survivor. He survived the Auschwitz Concentration Camps in Nazi Germany. His family did not…

In his book, he shares his experiences as a prisoner and the revelation he received about life and suffering.

Viktor’s message is simply this:

“Between our circumstances and our responses, there is always CHOICE.
Suffering is OPTIONAL.”

This is coming from a man who has been through the worst of the worst.

Even he can find meaning in suffering.

The key is not eliminating emotional distress or negative experiences, but accepting it as a part of being human.

And being able to find meaning in the madness.

With love,

Miss T.

If You’re Interested In The Alex Hormozi Video I Was Referring To In This Post,

You Can Check Out The Video Below!

compassion, Health / Wellness, Mental health, Mindfulness, Mindset, self care, Stress / Anxiety

Teens Have It Rough: Help Your Teenager Navigate Tough Waters With This All-In-One Gratitude Journal!

Cassandra Troughton

Teenagers Sure do Have it Rough…

For them, life is a balancing act.

  • Balancing stress from all the social pressures…
  • Struggling with confidence and self-acceptance…
  • Questioning their place in this world…

They have to deal with all this (and more) with an under-developed brain.

Their brains are STILL a work in progress…

I look at that list (even with my developed adult brain) and know I’d be struggling balancing all of that too…

So What Can We Do?

How can we help them navigate through this tricky spot in life?

I asked myself these very same questions at the beginning of this school year…

Because this School Year, I Found Myself Neck-Deep in the Middle of Grade 9 Classroom Waters…

This classroom was filled with some complex kids with complex needs…

I wanted to help them…

The way I wish someone helped me back then…

They desperately needed certain skills…

Skills that would help them THRIVE, instead of just SURVIVE…

This is why, after much thought and a lot of field research (testing the waters of my Grade 9 classroom), I came up with a way to help my students build an essential skillset!

A skillset that would help them, not only, navigate the rough waters of Junior High, but also prepare them for life (and develop their brains along the way)!

Introducing…
The Kids Yoga Stories Gratitude Journal for Teens!!

Okay, but what makes this Gratitude Journal so special?

How is a gratitude journal supposed to help our struggling Teens…?

Well, THIS journal is MORE than just any old Gratitude Journal…

In fact, it helps Teens develop qualities and skills like:

  • Emotional Regulation and Stress Management
  • Confidence and Self-Esteem
  • Empathy and Compassion for Themselves and Others
  • Positive Self-Talk and and Self-Acceptance
  • Forgiveness and Perspective Shifting
  • And of course, Expressing Gratitude and Feelings of Appreciation

How Does One Journal Do All of This?

It provides regulation strategies, like Breath of the Month and Mindful Colouring, to manage stress and anxiety – tools that Teens can use for life!

(I don’t care who you are, you can’t tell me Teens are “too cool for school” to colour… My field research says otherwise! :P)

The Weekly Positive Affirmations promote positive self-talk, self-acceptance, boosts confidence and reminds Teens to show themselves compassion. We are all just human, after all.

The Gratitude Questions and Challenges are thought provoking and help shift perspective in Teens. They begin to understand their place in the world and have appreciation for whats going on around them.

This Interactive Journal provides a creative outlet for Teens to get thoughts and worries out of their heads. Getting things out on paper gives Teens the chance to reflect on experiences and even learn from them.

Plus, we already know that when our Mental Health improves, so does our overall health! This translates to other parts of our lives.

And Teens will benefit for years to come!

But Why?

Why Did I Decide To Create A Journal For Teens Unlike Any Other?

Well, I’d like to ask you this…

Do YOU remember what it was like being a Teenager?

I sure do…

And when I met my Grade 9 students on that very first day, I saw myself in all of them.

All of my insecurities…

All of my worries…

All of my struggles trying to fit into the world…

I Barely Got By My Teen Years

I wasn’t about to let that happen to these kids.

So…

I asked myself,

“How would I have helped MYSELF back in my Teen years?”

“What supports did I desperately need?”

DIY: Gratitude Notebooks

A few students and I put together personal notebooks filled with gratitude, breathing and calming strategies, affirmations, and other random thoughts!

The note books were amazing, but they just weren’t quite enough…

They weren’t as organized as I would have liked.

They weren’t as appealing to the Teenager who is concerned about appearance.

So….

I took all of these lessons I learned from my Gratitude Notebooks,

All of the lessons from my Teenage students,

And all of the lessons from reflecting on my Teen years,

And turned them into the beautiful…

Kids Yoga Stories Gratitude Journal for Teens!

KYS Teen Gratitude Journal

“It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are…”

The Kids Yoga Stories Gratitude Journal for Teens helps teens develop the courage to be who they really are.

So they can be who they are really meant to be…

With Love & Gratitude,

Miss T.

If You are Interested in Helping Your Teen Navigate Tough Waters…

Check out the Kids Yoga Stories Gratitude Journal for Teens!

Get Your Copy Here!

Twelve weeks of Gratitude Journal Prompts, Reflection Questions, Breathing Exercises, Positive Affirmations, and more!

This Journal Also Includes:

  • A NEW Gratitude Question EVERY DAY
  • Weekly Mandala Colouring Pages (That Double as Positive Affirmations)
  • Inspirational Quotes for Each Day of Prompts

Here Are What Some Teens Had To Say About The
Kids Yoga Stories Gratitude Journal:

“I would buy 8 copies of this journal if I could…”

-Grade 9 Student

“Can you let me know when this journal comes out so I can get my parents to buy it?”

-Grade 7 Student
Get Your Copy of The KYS Gratitude Journal For Teens Here
Education, Kids, Mental health, Mindfulness, Stress / Anxiety

The Hard Truth you Need to Know about Teaching: How to Create More Time

Cassandra Troughton

“I just don’t have the time…”

“How am I supposed to squeeze anything else into my day…?”

Things I hear in Education..

And I get it, Teachers have a lot on their overflowing plates.

They are more than just Teachers – they feed kids when they’re hungry and console them when they’re hurt.

Days become overwhelmed with to-do’s and then suddenly… its JUNE! And we’re cutting it close on deadlines.

But if we invest a little extra time, into the RIGHT things, it is possible to get some teaching time back!

Let’s take a quick peek into our classrooms…

Teacher’s at the front, attempting to get through her math lesson.

Attempting… because we know her lesson is not going according to plan.

We have Johnny in the front, raising his hand every 2 minutes to interject with a concern. Bianca is noisily tapping on her desk, frustrated because she just doesn’t get math. Will snapped his pencil and is this close to flipping his desk if he has to painstakingly sit through another minute of this class…

Classrooms are overrun with interruptions.

Sometimes, as Educators, we feel so short on time, that we push through our lessons and don’t necessarily deal with the underlying issue…

The Disregulation…

The stress, the frustrations and the anger…

And the truth is… Kids aren’t learning if they are not REGULATED.

To understand that, we need to know how our brains work.

When information enters our brain, either from something external (like a lesson) or from our internal emotions (fear, anger), this information travels from the bottom up.

  1. The Brain Stem, into

  2. Our Limbic System (Emotional brain), and then

  3. The NeoCortex (Thinking brain)


But… when students are disregulated, then information cant travel past our brain stem, our primitive brain…

Think of it as electricity flowing in a circuit. If our regulation “switch” is turned off… no electricity is getting to the “light bulb” part of the brain.

The upper parts of their brains aren’t on.

They can’t use their emotional brain to relate to your lesson… And they most definitely can’t use their thinking brain!

So, what’s the point in stressfully pushing through a lesson if our students wont remember or relate to it…?

We Need Regulation!

And how do we do that?

By taking a little bit of time to mindfully teach regulation strategies!

When our kids become disregulated, but are PREPARED in handing it. We can redirect back to our lesson quicker.

The interruptions become minimal…

And we have a more effective lesson…

All because we invested a little bit of time turning our students brains on.

Here Are Some Easy-Peasy Strategies To Get You Started:

#1: Deep Belly Breathing (and more breathing exercises)

#2: Journalling or Creating Art

#3: Gong for a Walk (even better if it’s outdoors!)

Wishing you the best of luck!
(I just know you can do it!)

With love,

Miss T.

Education, Health / Wellness, Kids, Mental health, Mindfulness, Stress / Anxiety

Education Problems 101: How To Practice Mindfulness When You Just Don’t Have The Space

Cassandra Troughton

I get it…

Space is limited!

We don’t all have cozy corners, or carpet spaces in our classrooms… Some of us don’t even have classrooms!

This was my challenge too…

As an Educational Assistant, I didn’t have my own classroom. No place to practice Mindfulness with my students. No place to put my Mindfulness “tools”.

But, I Had A Dream…

I wanted to teach students Mindfulness techniques and get my message out to the school.

I felt it was too important of a dream to just forget about because I was lacking one crucial aspect…

So, how did I overcome this challenge?

How did I bring Mindfulness to my students WITHOUT the space to do so?

I Got Creative…

Accepting that there was a challenge was Step #1!

CHOOSING to find an alternative and face it head on was Step #2!

We don’t often get past Step #1 – Our subconscious holds onto the message that there isn’t always a way around a problem.

BUT…

There is ALWAYS another way! There is ALWAYS an alternative!

All you have to do is a little creative thinking…

For me, this meant introducing…

The Mindfulness Bin!

The Mindfulness Bin was a lightweight bin that held all my Mindfulness tools.

Because I couldn’t hold Mindfulness in one classroom, this bin needed to go ANYWHERE I needed to go.

Sometimes Mindfulness Club took place in the music room, or outdoors. Sometimes it was help in the gym, or in a spare classroom.

Students LOVED to be “Mindfulness Bin Leaders” – They took such pride in hauling our little bin around.

The Mindfulness Tools that you’d be likely to find in my Mindfulness Bin were:

  • Sit Spots
  • Breathing Activities Book
    (Breathe Like a Bear by Kira Willey)
  • Mandala Colouring Pages
  • Pencil Crayons
  • Breathing Stars
  • Talking Stick
  • Sand Timer
  • Activity Cards (Breath Work/Yoga Cards)
  • Self Check-In Cards & Erasable Markers

Maybe that sounds like a lot to you… But all these items were small and easy to carry.

I’d sometimes switch them out for a little variety.

I NEVER Felt Limited with The Mindfulness Bin!

Although it was small, it sure was mighty!

It had all the tools we needed to get the job done.

My students saw the bin as this magical component to Mindfulness Club…

Remember Mary Poppins?

And the never-ending magical tote bag she would pull unlimited items out of?

Yeah…?

Well, that’s how I felt every time I had The Mindfulness Bin with me!

“What will Miss T. pull out next?!”

No Space, No Problem!

Don’t get discouraged if you have a space-limiting challenge in front of you.

Get creative: Think outside-of-the-box!

There is always a way. Always a solution.

I hope my Mindfulness Bin story will inspire you to take creative action on your next big challenge.

I know you can do it…

With love,

Miss T.

Health / Wellness, Mental health, Stress / Anxiety

The #1 Secret to Living a Healthy, Full Life!

Cassandra Troughton

What is The Secret to Living a Healthy Life?

Growing up, I was told if you stay active and eat nutritious foods then you’ll have no problem living to 100!!

I’m sure you’ve heard something along these lines too.

Nutrition and physically activity are the keys to a healthy life…

We hear a lot about the impact our diet and movement can have on our well-being, but we often neglect one of the most important components to our wellness…

Let’s chat about Mental Health!

Where does it fit in this wellness puzzle?

Mental well-being is a tough topic to talk about. Mostly due to lack of awareness.

But now, our world has become filled with anxiety, depression, phobias and a plethora of other mental illnesses.

With mental illness on the rise, we have no choice but to shine a spotlight on Mental Health.

We have to acknowledge it.

And I’m sure glad we are, because it is the real ‘kicker’ when it comes to maintaining our health and wellbeing.

Dr. Gabor Mate, physician and author who specializes in childhood development and trauma, reported about a study of smokers in one of his books.

The smokers were separated into 2 groups:

  • Smokers who were more emotionally stable
  • Smokers who were emotionally repressed and had significant stress

… And the findings were shocking!

Although we KNOW the impact smoking has on our health, there were significant differences between the health of the two groups.

The emotionally stable smokers lived longer, healthier lives- not necessarily guaranteeing lung cancer and other diseases.

The emotionally repressed smokers were 5x more likely to develop these diseases!

Smoking alone does not cause lung cancer…

Smoking + Poor Mental Health does!

Woahhh…

This doesn’t mean I’m telling you to take up smoking..

I’m telling you this to remind you how powerful our mindset can be. Our thoughts and emotions have the power to override unhealthy habits – like smoking!

This is why it is so important not to disregard our good ol’ friend ‘Mental Health’ when it comes to our well-being.

Our thoughts can make us sick, but they can also make us well.

Adding in positive mental health practices to our lives is just as essential (if not, more essential) for our overall wellness than physical activity and nutrition alone!

Mental Health is the missing piece to our wellness puzzle.

Now that you know…

…How will you chose to use your thoughts?

… For health? Or for illness?

No one can make the choice but you!

With love,

Miss T.