Wellness

Interactive Clickable Resource Library for Students and Families

Life can be overwhelming, anxiety invoking, and stressful. Sometimes we all need a healthy escape. This Virtual Calming Room was inspired by School Counselors and School Social Workers across the United States to help students locate tools and strategies to positively manage their emotions.

What is meditation and mindfulness? According to Webster, meditation is the act of engaging in contemplation or reflection or quiet thinking. Mindfulness is a type of meditation that practices maintaining a positive state of heightened awareness of one’s feelings, thoughts, or experiences by being open, curious and nonjudgmental. Because we live in a fast-paced and busy world, it is even more important to slow down to practice any form of meditation, which has been found to be useful to maintain one’s overall health and well-being.

Specific Benefits of Mindfulness Meditation:

❖ Reduces stress and anxiety

❖ Creates improved emotional balance and harmony (reduces negative feelings) ❖ Lowers blood pressure

❖ Boosts one’s immune system

❖ Changes the brain’s gray matter which is linked to better memory and learning ❖ Improves concentration, as well as critical and creative thinking skills

❖ Assists with pain relief

❖ Enhances quality of sleep

❖ Increases the overall life satisfaction and happiness with one’s self

How do I meditate? There are many ways to meditate, but most importantly keep in mind to practice what feels right for you. The mental exercise of concentrating on one’s breathing or repeating a mantra are common techniques. It is recommended to schedule a time and place where you can be alone and quiet. Begin with 3 – 5 minutes daily and gradually increase the time as your concentration improves. If you are a beginner, listening to guided meditations are especially useful to keep you from getting distracted. There are even free High-Tech meditation resources! Take the meditation challenge and see how you can proactively reduce your stress!

For more information, check out the following recommended websites:

www.mindfulnessforteens.com

www.synchronicity.org

www.freemindfulness.org/download

www.marc.ucla.edu/

Suicide Prevention Awareness

BOUSD Mental Health and Wellness Services

Care Solace

We are proud to offer Care Solace, a complimentary and confidential coordination service available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year to help find mental health care or substance use treatment providers for you.

How to access the service:

Call 888-515-0595. Support is available in any language.
Visit caresolace.com/breaolinda and either search on your own OR click “Book Appointment” for assistance by video chat, email or phone

The following resources are also available at all times:

Stigma Free OC Movement - Remove Stigma Around Mental Illness and Addiction

Each Mind Matters - CA Mental Health Awareness Movement

Mental Health California - Mental Health Informational Materials & Resources