Have a lot on your mind?

Take a minute from your homework to breathe. You've probably heard the words "meditation" or "being mindful" before. But what does that really mean?

When you think of meditation you probably think of sitting on the floor with your legs crossed and your eyes closed. Maybe you think of candles and calming music. Maybe you think it's all just really silly and you're not going to just sit there "meditating." But meditation can mean a lot of things. For you, meditation might mean just taking a moment to be mindful. Ok... what is being mindful? Being mindful just means noticing what is happening right now. Are you frustrated? Are you tired? Is there a movie or show playing in the background? Is it windy outside? Are you happy? Are you relaxed? Are you bored? Sometimes being aware of our feelings and our surroundings makes us feel calmer because we are more in control.

No, you don't have to sit on the floor.

Instead, give yourself 5, 10, maybe 20 minutes. Put on some headphones and your favorite music or find a quiet space and take a moment to notice what is happening right now. Just notice it. Think of what you want to do to enjoy or improve this moment. Maybe it's raining and it sounds nice. Maybe you're feeling sad -- that's okay. Maybe you really like the music or the lyrics of the song you're listening to. Maybe you're not thinking of anything and you just want to focus on being in that moment and breathing...

Time's up. See, that wasn't too silly right?

Now, re-focus. You got this. Make it a good day!

And in case sitting on the floor sounded fun...

"Enjoy this curation of meditations, sleep stories, music and more, all hand-picked to support your mental and emotional wellness through this time. And check back soon as we'll be updating these resources regularly." Visit  Calm.com

Too much on your mind? Feeling hopeless?

Make sure to check out https://www.crisistextline.org/.

How It Works: Text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the United States, anytime, about any type of crisis. A live, trained Crisis Counselor receives the text and responds, all from our secure online platform. The volunteer Crisis Counselor will help you move from a hot moment to a cool moment.