Stop and Smell the Roses

An antiquated cliché that is applicable for present day is “Stop and smell the roses.” According to a study in the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, anxiety is the leading health issue among American children and adolescents. Therefore, taking time to be mindful when faced with all of life’s challenges is practical advice.

As a classroom teacher in the early 1990s, educating students appeared less complicated than it does now in the 21st century. Nowadays, students are expected to learn more at younger ages and are evaluated by mandated standardized testing. The pressure to succeed within students appears to have grown exponentially. This has been my experience as an elementary school counselor. Students as young as five and six years old are being diagnosed with anxiety. As students get older, so do the chances of having an anxiety disorder. A Pew Research study indicated that 70 percent of teens say anxiety and depression is a major problem, while only 26 percent consider it is a minor problem.

The rigor of academic instruction and standardized testing are not the only culprits creating anxious environments for students. Another factor is the presence of social media in our society. The addictive nature of technology has many young people suffering from FOMO (fear of missing out). An anxious feeling is created when people believe others are having fun without them. This perpetuates constant checking of social media to see what others are doing. Another possibility is youth experiencing the “compare and despair trap.” This occurs when people compare their lives with others on social media and perceive the lives on social media as more enriching than their own.

As school counselors, we are aware that some factors in life cannot be controlled. However, we know we can control how we teach our young people to cope with stressors. Implementing mindful practices as you work with students is teaching pragmatic life skills for coping. Examples of techniques for all ages can include deep breathing, yoga, mindful coloring, reciting positive affirmations, and listening to calming music. As these interventions are put into action, a safe and secure environment is created.

School counselors can benefit by leading by example. Although we are typically nurturers, we often neglect to practice self-care. Self-care is vital to our effectiveness when working with students. Our emotional state is reciprocal with the emotional state of our students. If we are not our best selves, then we are not productive at supporting students to be their best selves. Mutually, when students are in crisis, it can personally affect us. Therefore, as professionals, we should also practice being mindful. It is important that we all stop and smell the roses from time to time.

Paige Abasolo is a member of the VSCA Board of Directors.