Blog | Inner Explorer
Daily Mindfulness: A Habit Worth Forming For Lifelong Benefits
Without a daily mindfulness practice in place, it's easy to get distracted by life events and push mindfulness aside. It turns out that intention and motivation play a significant role in setting and maintaining a daily practice... Read More
Anxiety In the Classroom Runs High During Traumatic Events
Since early 2020, Covid-19 has impacted our daily lives in ways we never could have imagined. Among those sharply feeling the prolonged impact are schools.... Read More
Test Stress? Mindfulness In The Classroom Helps Students Stay On Their A-Game
Whether they admit it or not, students often feel pressured to perform at their best when taking tests. While there may be variations by state, federally mandated standardized testing to assess student achievement generally occurs between March and May...... Read More
Why Teaching Mindfulness In The Classroom Is Good For Mental Health
The current climate in education is catastrophic when it comes to the mental health of both students (children of all ages) and teachers. Stress and anxiety levels are extraordinarily high; in fact, the highest ever measured in children – and they were already alarming before the pandemic. As it stands, the numbers are over the top, with upwards of 80% of children reporting feeling significant stress...... Read More
Mindfulness And Diversity: Why Are They Important For Your School?
Research confirms that mindfulness is instrumental when it comes to developing empathy. From empathy comes compassion and the ability to relate to one another which is conducive to cultivating diversity in school communities..... Read More
Mindfulness And Grief: Using Your Practice To Support Healing
The sudden loss of a loved one is traumatic, leaving the bereaved in a fog of indescribable sadness. Depression from intense grief can cause a person to feel disembodied, as though they are only a shadow of their former selves. It seems incomprehensible to reconnect with the physical presence of things and people around you including your very own body. Grief is often marked.... Read More
What is Mindfulness-Based Social Emotional Learning (MBSEL)?
Mindfulness has become a popular concept in the past decade - and for good reason! With over 40 years of research, mindfulness has proven benefits, including reduced stress, increased performance, and improved immune function. With all the buzz about mindfulness, many school communities and centers are looking to utilize daily mindfulness practice to support the mental health.... Read More
3 Ways To Create Calm From Chaos With Daily Mindfulness
As we continue to face the challenges of COVID-19, it is critical that we have tools and resources to manage our mental health. Daily mindfulness is a proven method to reduce stress, boost immune function and improve our sense of well-being. While adding a daily mindfulness practice to your schedule can feel daunting.... Read More
Formal vs. Informal Mindfulness Practice: How You Can Use Both to Become Present and Aware
As a seasoned mindfulness practitioner with experience founding and leading innovative mindfulness programs, Christy Cassisa knows a thing or two about how a regular practice can support our well-being! In this two-part series, Christy shares how we can build a daily mindfulness practice, plus an approachable way to fully integrate mindfulness into your life... Read More
How A Daily Mindfulness Practice Is Strength Training For The Brain
Mindfulness is a skill that can be learned and strengthened. Over time, and with regular practice, it becomes less of a “skill” or a “tool” to be used when you think of it, and becomes more of a way of being that is part of who you are.... Read More
How Mindfulness Works to Reduce Teacher Stress and Burnout
Teacher stress levels skyrocketed as they pivoted to teaching online, in socially distanced classrooms, or both at the same time. They desperately tried to engage students who were checked out or who only appeared as a black box on Zoom. It was a grueling year, teachers said. And some say the start of this school year has been... Read More
Mental Health Help for all Children During COVID-19 and Beyond
For the past fifteen years a May date has been designated as National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day. The federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) created the day to raise awareness about the importance of children’s mental health as an essential part of healthy child development. Today more than ever it is critical for our nation to reflect on whether we are... Read More
The 5 W's of Mindfulness
What is Mindfulness? Mindfulness means paying attention to what’s happening right now with curiosity and kindness and without judgment. It’s a practice used in medicine, sports, business, the military and schools. Inner Explorer is a non-profit organization that brings daily mindfulness audio practices of five to ten minutes into K-12 classrooms. Based on the acclaimed Mindfulness Based Stress... Read More
Mindfulness Improves Immune Function And Decreases Stress
In just 5-10 minutes a day, students and families who listen to the Inner Explorer audio-guided mindfulness program experience less stress and anxiety, improved immune function and resiliency, as well as increased focus! Inner Explorer is a leading provider of mindfulness programming that is evidence-based and designed for use in PK-12th grade classrooms and homes. Audio practices for the examples below.... Read More
It's Time we Outsmart Stress and Take a Stand for Teacher Well-Being
In the era of initiative fatigue, the last thing most teachers need is another program that promises to improve teacher wellbeing, reduce stress, and benefit classroom management. So let’s not have that conversation. Instead, let’s talk about real, sustainable, systemic change for the better. It’s no secret teacher stress levels are at a peak. Forty-six percent of teachers report daily stress.[1] Another poll of.... Read More
The Inner Explorer Tune In Feature For Families
Inner Explorer's enhanced Tune In feature is the perfect way for schools to share the gift of mindfulness with families during this incredibly challenging school year. It’s now easy for parents and caregivers to access Tune In from the Inner Explorer Home app. When a teacher has an Inner Explorer account, the adults at home can register for the same mindfulness sessions that their children hear at school.... Read More
Mindfulness Based Social and Emotional Learning (MBSEL)
A frustrated preschooler prepares to throw a bucket of toys but instead takes an intentional breath and tells themself, “I have the power to make wise choices.” A middle school student feeling resentful toward their single-parent puts on headphones and follows a 10-minute breathing practice as a way to become grounded.... Read More
Frequently Asked Questions (faqs) About Federal Covid Relief Education Funds
The following provides general information on the distribution and requirements of federal relief funds for elementary and secondary education. Funds can be used to help reopen and sustain the safe operation of schools, support student learning, and respond to the social, emotional and mental health needs of students..... Read More