Mindfulness is the intentional and nonjudgmental awareness of all thoughts, feelings, and sensations that occur in the present moment. Mindfulness has also been associated with higher levels of quality of life, sleep quality and duration, and life satisfaction and happiness (Chavan et al., 2017). Similarly, gratitude is a tendency toward appreciating the positive in life. It also has been associated with well-being, such as reducing anxiety, stress and depression, and increased life satisfaction (Lindor, 2019). This article takes these findings and explores them to determine whether consistent mindfulness activities and gratitude practices make a difference in the lives of college students, leading to a reduction in anxiety, stress, and uncertainty, as well as an increased ability to be present and to feel appreciation for their current lives.
Tag: Mindfulness and Well-Being
Learning, Student Well-being, and the Classroom: Reimagining a Class through Focus on Community
Observations of low student motivation, siloed learning, student loneliness and anxiety, along with a disconnect between classroom learning and life application inspired the authors to explore possible causes. They studied the correlates of classroom-community-life connection and implemented their learning in the revision of a language and culture course. Their work has resulted in a shift in teaching, one that moves away from a purely academic outcome to one that prioritizes community. Approaching teaching and learning through this community lens, the authors are discovering new excitement in their learners, higher levels of student engagement, and increased student motivation to learn and connect learning to their larger life context.