Mindfulness matters

Project leaders: Catharine Erb and Christie Gordon
One of the easiest ways to reduce stress is to practice mindful meditation — it’s accessible to people of all ages, it’s free to practice and it doesn’t require any special equipment. And even though people have been practicing mindfulness and meditation for thousands of years, scientists are constantly adding new and exciting physical and mental health benefits to this growing body of research.

According to medical organizations like the Mayo Clinic, mindful meditation can improve sleep quality, lower blood pressure and heart rate, increase patience and tolerance, and reduce negative emotions. There’s also research to suggest that meditation may help people manage the symptoms of depression, tension headaches, asthma and anxiety, among others. 

Catharine Erb, former Latin teacher, and Christie Gordon, primary teacher, worked to bring the wonders of mindfulness to UCC with the help of the Principal’s Innovation Fund in 2018–2019. The fund originally supported Erb’s professional development and the development of the student program, and this eventually led to the opening in November 2019 of the new Peace and Quiet Space (PAQS) within the Health Centre at the Upper School, in partnership with the Parents’ Organization.

“Given the rigorous academic program and co-curricular demands, students can experience stress and anxiety,” says Jill Adolphe, Parents’ Organization co-president for 2018–2019. Adds Carita Sheehy, Adolphe's fellow co-president, "There was no designated, non-academic place for students to go other than the Health Centre. Parents felt this put undue stress on the Health Centre’s resources and recognized the need for a quiet space for the boys.” 

Says Jim LaPlante, Executive Director, Information and Innovation, on the evolution of the mindfulness program to include the PAQS, “This is actually the way we envisioned the innovation fund working: projects lead to more areas of need, which leads to more projects.”

Students are welcome to use the PAQS whenever they feel the need to, with the goal of spending time in a space that helps reduce stress, promotes mindfulness and improves overall wellbeing. Resting, meditating, yoga, mindfulness practice and reflective activities such as colouring and journaling are some of the activities students choose to pursue. 
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