Background: School requires intense mental focus, which can lead to stress and burnout. Applying gentle pressure on the body can help students calm their nervous systems and relieve stress.
Today in Class: Students started by noting their energy levels. They pressed one hand against the opposite upper arm, working up and down, and then switched sides. They applied gentle pressure also to their legs. They pressed one hand on their foreheads and the other to the back of their heads. Afterward, students focused on their physical sensations and noted their emotional states.
Self-Reflection: Pause to check your stress level. Now try one of these gentle-pressure techniques. How do you feel now?
At-Home Support
Discuss calming with gentle pressure:
- In class today, you learned some ways to calm yourself. What did you do? (Apply gentle pressure to arms, legs, and head)
- Could you show me how this works?
- I'd like to try that. Right now, I feel _______________ .
- How do I start? What do I do next?
- Now I feel ____________ .
- Thanks for teaching me that technique. Let's use it when we need to calm down.
Student Reflection
Mellimage/Shutterstock.com