Mindfulness, for the purpose of this unit, will be defined as a nonjudgmental, non-elaborative awareness of the present moment; an awareness that allows for acknowledgment and acceptance of feelings, thoughts, and sensations as they arise.

• Lesson 1: What is Mindfulness?
• Lesson 2: Getting to the Heart (and Body) of Mindfulness
• Lesson 3: Developing Mindfulness by Using the 5 Senses
• Lesson 4: Developing a Gratitude Mindset: How to Live Fully in the Present
• Lesson 5: Cultivating Self-Care
• Project: Implementing Mindfulness

Lesson 1: What is Mindfulness?
This lesson is designed to introduce students to the concept of mindfulness.

Lesson 2: Getting to the Heart (and Body) of Mindfulness
This lesson focuses on developing awareness of the physical body in order to support and encourage mindfulness. Students will be taught how to perform a “heartbeat check,” “tension-release” exercise, and a “body scan.”

Lesson 3: Developing Mindfulness by Using the 5 Senses
This lesson is focused on developing students’ ability to focus on their 5 senses in an effort to build mindfulness.

Lesson 4: Developing a Gratitude Mindset: How to Live Fully in the Present
This lesson is designed to help students understand how they can live fully in the present by developing gratitude.

Lesson 5: Cultivating Self-Care
This lesson focuses on helping students develop strategies for handling negative or positive thoughts that they have about themselves, and, in so doing, cultivate a mindful appreciation of self.

Project: Implementing Mindfulness
This project will allow each student to personalize their preferred Mindfulness Activity and practice consistent implementation over a 1-2 week period.