Mindfulness in the Classroom – Mindful Facial Massage by @Ed_Tmprince

The development of mindfulness has, at its heart, the reduction of stress hormone levels. Teaching children a number of Mindfulness strategies allow children to find the ones that best meet their needs and successfully reduces their stress and anxiety.

Massage and the power of touch are naturally relaxing and are ways to reduce these stress hormones.

Maria Hernandez-Reid is a researcher at the Touch Research Institute. She says that the lowering of stress hormones not only reduces the feelings of anxiety but also supports a healthier immune system.

Here are some simple personal facial massages that children and adults can do to support their own mindfulness.

Before you begin:

– Ensure that hands have been washed well.

– Play gentle meditation music in the background.

– Sit or lay down comfortably.

– Take some deep mindful breaths to kick start the relaxation

Chin Massage

– Use your index and middle finger of each hand.

– Begin at the top of your jaw near your ears on both sides at the same time and move in a small circular motion five times.

– Move your fingers down the jawline and move then in a circular motion five times.

– Repeat the motions as you move down the jaw bone towards the chin.

– At the point of the chin, use one set of fingers and repeat the circular motion five times.

– Repeat the sequence as many times as desired.

Eyebrow Massage

– Use your thumb and index finger on each hand.

– Begin at the area between your eyebrows and softly pinch for a count of five.

– Move your fingers outwards over your eyebrows and, again, softly pinch for a count of fives.

– Repeat the motions as you move towards the temples.

– Repeat the sequence as many times as desired.

Ear Massage

– Use your entire hand and cup the top of each of your ears and gently squeeze for a count of five.

– Move down the ears, continuing to gently squeeze for a count of five.

– Finish by placing your thumbs in the dent behind the bottom of your ear lobe (where it joins your face) and apply gentle pressure for a count of five.

– Repeat the sequence as many times as desired.

Cat’s Whiskers Massage

– Use your three middle fingers of each hand and make a W.

– Place the fingers on either side of your mouth, applying gentle pressure.

– Gently sweep your fingers across the face with gentle pressure as if you were drawing cat’s whiskers.

– Repeat the sequence as many times as desired.

You can use one massage or a combination of massages. Try out a variety of ways to find what best fits you and your class.

Top tip: Encourage deep, even mindful breathing during all of the massages and have them focus on the feel of their fingers against their skin.

Find more Mindfulness in the Classroom ideas at www.educationsvoice.wordpress.com Or the book, 100 Ideas for Primary Teachers: Mindfulness in the Classroom.