Pastoral Care and Wellbeing
Mindfulness and Taylor Swift, Pink, Tones and I - might not seem like an obvious grouping, but all have significant roles in promoting resilience, wellbeing and self awareness.
Taylor Swift, a globally renowned singer-songwriter, often explores themes of self-discovery and personal growth in her music. As a teenager Taylor started her song writing career – first as a country pop and then branched out into other genres.
Pink's music often addresses themes of personal growth, empowerment, and overcoming obstacles. Through her lyrics, she encourages listeners to embrace their uniqueness, confront their fears, and find strength in vulnerability. This message resonates with the principles of mindfulness, which promote self-acceptance and non-judgmental awareness of one's thoughts and emotions.
Tones and I was born and raised in Frankston and began her music career busking in the streets while balancing a part-time retail job. Tones and I busked up and down the east coast of Australia eventually winning busking competitions.
Their journey as artists, are all marked by perseverance and resilience in the face of challenges and they reflect the principles of resilience and adaptability inherent in mindfulness practice. By embracing life's ups and downs with grace and courage, they exemplify the importance of staying grounded and connected to one's inner strength—a fundamental aspect of mindfulness.
Mindfulness for students refers to the practice of cultivating present-moment awareness and non-judgmental attention to their thoughts, emotions, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment. It involves intentionally paying attention to the present moment with openness, curiosity, and acceptance.
Benefits of mindfulness for students include improved concentration and focus, reduced stress and anxiety, enhanced emotional regulation and resilience, better self-awareness and empathy, and improved overall wellbeing. By incorporating mindfulness practices into their daily routines, students can develop valuable skills for managing academic challenges, navigating social interactions, and promoting mental and emotional health.
Two (of many) techniques are:
- Breathing Exercises - Techniques such as deep breathing or belly breathing help students focus their attention on their breath, promoting relaxation and stress reduction.
- Mindful Listening - Students practice attentive listening, fully engaging with sounds without getting caught up in judgments or distractions. This enhances listening skills and empathy.
Please watch our School TV for additional information.
https://sje.vic.schooltv.me/newsletter/mindfulness
Suzanne Pola
College Leader - Student Wellbeing