Mindfulness and Meditation

Which of these best describes practicing mindfulness?

• using reason and logic to solve problems

• being polite and treating others with kindness

• focusing on the present and being in the moment

• distracting yourself with what might happen in the future

Which of these should not be part of practicing mindfulness?

• focusing on the sights and sounds around you right now

• focusing on what you should have done but did not do

• taking deep breaths

• accepting what is

Which of these people is most clearly doing a mindfulness exercise?

• Jade, who is stomping her feet in anger

• Allie, who is watching a funny video on her laptop

• Daniella, who is meditating for 10 minutes before school

• Cameron, who is editing a short story he wrote last week

True or false: Stress can have an effect on the body.

• True

• False

Gemma tried really hard at basketball tryouts. She just learned she didn't make the team. She's very upset. One way Gemma can use mindfulness now is to

• find the coach and explain why she really should have made the team.

• find out which of her friends made the team and stop being friends with them.

• find a quiet place to focus on the sensations in her body.

• find another sport or hobby and give up on basketball.

MIndfulness can

• improve your memory.

• help reduce your anxiety.

• help you build self-awareness.

• all of these.

True or false: If you aren't meditating, you aren't being mindful.

• True

• False

Which of these best reveals that Francis has a strong sense of self-awareness?

• He always tells funny jokes to his sister.

• He is often a few minutes late for school.

• He can speak and write in two languages: Spanish and English.

• He knows that he is a loyal friend but is shy around new people.

Studies show that students who _____ are more likely to _____.

• meditate, graduate

• are busy, feel at peace

• judge their emotions, feel relaxed

• count their breaths, have trouble sleeping

Sydney's heart is racing, and she wants to run away. What most likely is true?

• She's focusing on the present.

• Her body is reacting to stress.

• She's been counting her breaths.

• She's been meditating for too long.