Many students want to be successful but haven’t yet developed all the skills which can lead to anxiety/frustration
Provides an easy and quick break in place
Easy to do anywhere at any time
Quiet and non-disruptive
Easy to perform and learn at any age
Can be done for short or long periods
Can be done individually or as a group
Produces relaxed state of being
Is calming
Increases oxygen to the brain, muscles, and body, which improves thinking, reaction time, and decision making
When should I do it:
When you see a student becoming frustrated (banging things, groaning, crying, refusing to do work)
When a student is involved in a mild confrontation with another student
When student has a lot of work to do
When a student appears anxious or upset
When a student’s emotions or mood are escalated
When students need to focus and attend
After students have been working for a long time
When students are fighting or arguing
Before stressful events or periods, like tests, final exams, speeches, etc
How do I do it:
Teach the technique to the entire class and practice it
List the strategy on a poster with several other relaxation techniques, and post this in the class where all can see
Teach students what feelings to be aware of and what they feel like, which can be addressed through deep breathing
Assure student that everyone gets stressed/frustrated/worried/ overwhelmed and using relaxation strategies is normal
Teach the student to know what they do (indicators or antecedents) when they are stressed/frustrated/worried/overwhelmed (some common answers are: clench fists, breathe heavily, cry, sweat)
Teach students that when they demonstrate the above behaviors, to stop, ask to sit outside the room or put head down at desk, and take five or more deep breathes
Practice the first time with student or class
Students may count while they exhale
Try teaching students to cover their ears with their hands and imagine that each inhale is a wave rolling up the shore of a tropical beach, and each exhale is the wave rolling back out
