Should schools teach mindfulness?

Meditation has been found to offer significant health benefits and to be effective in the treatment of depression, anxiety and pain. Research is now examining the usefulness of teaching mindfulness and meditation in schools. One school found that teaching yoga and meditation to students significantly lowered their levels of the stress hormone cortisol while other schools found positive effects on attendance, performance and a lowering of suspension rates. Further studies have found a positive impact on self-control and attentiveness. The American organisation Headstand teaches yoga and mediation in schools, from primary age up to university levels, and claims to be very successful especially with students with behavioural problems. Its programme focuses not only on reducing stress, but also on skills such as determination, curiosity, self-control, social intelligence, optimism and gratitude. The skills are based on the popular book ‘How Children Succeed’, by journalist Paul Tough.