Mindful has partnered with WholeSchool Mindfulness to create a special collection of guided meditations designed to help young people find calm, compassion, and joy in their daily lives.
Whether you’re a young person interested in mindfulness or someone looking to support a young person, welcome! This page, curated with the help of WholeSchool Mindfulness, serves as a hub of meditations to support those navigating the myriad challenges of youth. Continue reading to learn more about this initiative, or scroll down to explore a selection of meditations curated by mindfulness professionals.
Mindfulness for Kids, Teens, and Young Adults
Being young has never been easy, and today’s challenges—social media, the pandemic, environmental crises—add to the stress. Young generations are resilient and powerful, but they are also shouldering a lot. Mindfulness, a science-backed practice, can boost mental health and overall well-being. We’ve gathered meditations designed specifically for young people, conceptualized and led by WholeSchool Mindfulness directors who teach and practice trauma-informed mindfulness in schools and communities.
Erica Marcus, a WholeSchool director, explains, “We try to invite in our full experience, starting with honoring the very real difficulties of our lives while holding alongside the things we have and what we appreciate. We savor the joyful moments, acknowledging that even on hard days, we experience something pleasant.”
WholeSchool Mindfulness
There is an urgent need for innovative solutions to rethink student well-being. WholeSchool Mindfulness is a nonprofit organization co-creating an education system that advances well-being, community, and justice through mindfulness. They envision a system where every school has a “Mindfulness Director”—a staff member dedicated to integrating mindfulness practices within their community.
WholeSchool supports the launch of Mindfulness Director positions in schools across the United States, providing funding, implementation support, data gathering, and professional development. These directors, rooted in their school communities, offer culturally responsive, secular, trauma-informed mindfulness to students, faculty, and families. Committed to equity, WholeSchool partners primarily with public K-12 schools serving predominantly low-income and/or BIPOC students.
Since its founding in 2019, WholeSchool has launched 15 Mindfulness Directors and plans to establish 30+ more in the next three years, aiming to make Mindfulness Directors a staple in schools nationwide.
Getting Started With Meditation
If you’re new to meditation, don’t worry. Each guided practice offers comprehensive instructions, making it easy to follow along with the audio recordings. Here are some general guidelines to consider:
- How Does Meditation Work? Follow the teacher’s lead in the guided meditation. They’ll guide you step-by-step. You can also read the practice transcript to familiarize yourself with the meditation.
- Where Should I Meditate? Find a quiet space where you feel safe. If privacy is hard to come by, consider alternatives like meditating in the bathroom with headphones or listening to a meditation while walking. Once you get the hang of it, you can meditate anywhere.
- When Should I Meditate? Meditate whenever it suits you. Some prefer mornings to start the day right, while others prefer evenings to unwind. The key is to practice at a time that feels right and not rushed. Daily meditation is ideal, but flexibility is okay too.
- Who Is Mindfulness For? Anyone can practice mindfulness. It’s free, doesn’t require special equipment, and can be adapted to your preferences. Whether you prefer standing over sitting or focusing on sounds instead of breath, do what feels right for you.
- Why Should I Meditate? Mindfulness can lower stress, promote calm, and encourage kindness towards ourselves and others. It helps us be more intentional and present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing, without being overwhelmed by our surroundings.
Conclusion
Mindfulness and meditation offer invaluable support to young people facing modern challenges. By incorporating these practices into daily life, we can enhance mental health, foster resilience, and build a more mindful community. Explore the curated meditations on this page and take what you need to navigate life’s journey with greater calm and compassion.
