Mindfulness
True or False: Mindfulness Club is only available to you if you earn a C or are on level 1.
False: You may join mindfulness club any day and can earn an A+ by following the mindfulness club rules. You can come on days you are unfrozen if you would like to rest and relax instead of going into your assigned club.
What is empathy?
Empathy is the ability to understand and relate to another person's feelings and perspective (being able to "put yourself in someone else's shoes").
True or False:
It is not okay to feel angry or frustrated at school.
False:
All feelings are okay to feel; everyone is angry, frustrated, sad and anxious sometimes. What matters most is how we chose to respond to our feelings. Some responses are acceptable and healthy (deep breathing, counselor request, appropriately talking about feelings, taking a break) and some are not (screaming, throwing things, etc...).
What is the largest organ in the human body?
Skin
What is the hottest planet in our solar system?
Venus
True! Practicing gratitude regularly can help us to notice more of the positive experiences in life and retrain our brain which oftentimes notices and perseverates (stuck repetitive thinking) on negative life experiences. This does not magically solve all problems but allows us to have more balance in our mood and outlook on life.
True or False: If you are being given something you have earned (such as items you are buying from the incentive cart with your points) it is not necessary to express gratitude (saying please or thank you).
False!
Even when you are interacting with others on a regular basis and you are being given items that you have earned, it is still important to use social greetings and manners (such as hello, please and thank you).
True or False:
Negative emotions are difficult and we should try not to feel them if possible.
False:
Although negative emotions can be difficult to feel, they are a part of life and everyone feels all feelings at times. It is important to remember that feelings never last forever, and it is important to learn how to manage/cope with our emotions in order to live a healthy life.
What is the smallest U.S. state?
Rhode Island
What does the www stand for in an website address?
world wide web
Name the five senses we can use to ground ourselves in the moment (by noticing what we are experiencing with our senses in the moment).
hearing, seeing, tasting, touching, smelling
Bonus points if you can give an example for each sense of what you are noticing in this moment.
Name 5 qualities that make someone a good friend.
Trustworthy, caring, nice, funny, common interests, empathetic, loyal, positive influence, respectful of boundaries, etc...
Unscramble this feelings word and describe what it means:
ESMHADA
ASHAMED
embarrassed or guilty because of one's actions, characteristics, or associations
What is 3/4 as a decimal?
0.75
What is the most popular ice cream flavor in the U.S.?
Vanilla
Give 3 examples of mindfulness and/or mindful activities.
Some examples are:
Deep breathing exercises, guided mindfulness meditations, mindful eating, noticing one's thoughts, noticing one's feelings, noticing the sensations within the body, muscle tensing/relaxation exercises, using one's 5 senses to be present in the moment, yoga, etc...
What is a socially appropriate way to manage frustration or feelings of jealousy if someone else has received something that you want (such as student of the month, a special award, or praise for doing well).
Ask to take a break if you need. Ask for a counselor request. Take a deep breath. Try perspective taking and ask yourself, how would I want others to respond if it was me earning this?
Why/how would taking deep breaths help when we are angry, frustrated, or anxious?
Deep breathing is a way to trick our brain into calming down.
Our amygdala is the emotion center of our brain and when activated by negative emotions, it controls a lot of physical reactions in our body (increased heart rate, shallow quick breathing, sweating, and activating muscles for quick responses) in order to protect us. When we take slow deep breaths, our amygdala calms down which allows the body to calm down and though this does not eliminate the negative emotion, it allows us to think and chose how to respond to our emotions more appropriately.
What is the longest river in the U.S.
Missouri River
Which country won the FIFA World Cup in 2022?
Argentina
True or False: Mindfulness requires a clear and calm mind.
False. Mindfulness is the practice of noticing what is happening in the moment and being present in the moment. At times this might include noticing negative feelings, or many thoughts that are clouding the mind. It does not require a clear or calm mind in order to practice the noticing of what is.
If you want to speak to someone who is already in a conversation with someone else, what are some socially appropriate ways to navigate the situation?
If it is an emergency/urgent, you can approach and say "Excuse me, I am sorry to interrupt, but..."
If it is not urgent, you should wait until there is a break in the conversation or the conversation is over (pay attention to body language and other cues). It is also important that you stand with some space between you and the conversation, so as not to overhear or interrupt the conversation. Sometimes, you might have to move on and try to speak with that person at another more appropriate time.
Give 3 examples of unhealthy ways to respond to anger and 3 examples of healthy ways to cope with anger.
unhealthy: hitting, screaming, cursing, yelling, threatening, throwing things, bottling up emotions, etc...
healthy: deep breathing, journaling/art, mindful meditations, talking to someone you trust, exercise, perspective taking, practicing gratitude, doing positive hobbies, taking a break from a situation if needed
What is the perimeter of a square with 5 inch sides?
20 inches
What planet has rings and spins on its side?
Uranus