Published March 3, 2026
BY JADE GRANBERY
Between demanding classes, packed schedules and constant stimulation, stress has become a common by-product with the potential to wreak havoc on a student’s mental health. In response, many teachers and school staff look to moments of mindfulness to loosen the tension.
In 2024, the American Psychological Association reported 75% of high school students feel consistently stressed due to school work. At Carmel High School, teachers say this pressure shows up daily.
“I see it on their faces,” says Bill Schrier, CHS social studies teacher and mock trial coach. “I see it in terms of work completion. Sometimes, I don’t see a lot of smiles.”
Bill Schrier’s lessons feature daily checkins with students, as well as occasional seminars and one-on-one conversations as he sees fit. photo by JADE GRANBERY
Science teacher Victoria Deckelmann has noticed similar patterns in her classroom.
“I see students get overwhelmed all the time,” Deckelmann says. “They’re disengaged, they’re shutting down. I even see tears.”
With advanced courses, athletics, social pressures, clubs and college preparation layered on top of one another, stress is often accepted as unavoidable. However, some educators believe small moments of mindfulness incorporated into the day can make a difference.
For yoga and dance teacher Kristine Tarozzi, mindfulness doesn’t just mean silence and stillness. Instead, it often incorporates movement.
“Yoga provides a time and space to breathe and reset,” Tarozzi says. “It’s a mind-body connection that allows students to let go of stress and refocus while in school.”
Kristine Tarozzi guides students through a yoga session, encouraging movement and mindful breathing as a way to reset and refocus during the school day. Photo by JADE GRANBERY
In her yoga class, students practice poses and breathing techniques to calm the nervous system. Tarrozzi explains that stepping away from academic pressure to slow down physically can reduce anxiety while improving focus and mood for the rest of the day.
Dance offers a different form of release.
“Dance allows students to leave everything behind at the door,” Tarozzi says. “There’s no sense of competition.”
Instead of worrying about upcoming classwork, students focus on movement, music and collaboration. Tarozzi emphasizes neither class requires prior experience.
“You don’t need to be athletic or flexible,” says Tarozzi. “The expectation isn’t that you know how, it’s that you try.”
While movement-based electives create a unique space for mindfulness, some teachers incorporate similar practices into their classrooms. Carmel Middle School teacher Jessie Krislyn begins each lesson with a breathing exercise. Though the practices take under five minutes to complete, she notices the effects in the focus of her students.
For CHS freshman Clara Coming, dance is a crucial outlet for releasing pent-up academic pressure. photo by JADE GRANBERY
“Not only does mindfulness help students learn positive coping skills,” Krislyn explains, “it helps them become better learners.”
CHS mental health clinician Lorena Cruz-Rodriguez sees firsthand how intense stress affects students. Many often report feeling like they don’t have enough time, and many struggle with sleep, anxiety and difficulty managing workload. For some, stress appears physically through headaches and exhaustion, while emotionally through withdrawal, mood swings and even in declining grades.
However, Cruz-Rodriguez notes that stress itself isn’t the problem.
“There’s healthy stress—the kind that gets you going,” the clinician says. “But when you feel overwhelmed everyday, when you start shutting down or pulling away from things you enjoy, that’s when it’s concerning.”
Small moments of mindfulness, she says, are not meant to eliminate bridges, but rather help you cross them.
“Mindfulness isn’t going to solve the fact you have an assignment due,” she reminds. “But it can give you an opportunity to notice how you’re feeling.”
Even a few minutes of deep breathing, stepping outside, or intentionally taking a pause can help a student return with a clearer perspective.
“Stress is a natural part of life,” says Schrier. “But becoming aware of it and pausing briefly can prevent it from becoming overwhelming.”
He also emphasizes the importance of trusted adults in students’ lives—teachers, parents, or other mentors who can provide support when stress becomes too heavy to manage alone.
For Tarrozi, one of the most important aspects for a healthy mental space is joy.
“Have at least one class you enjoy during the day,” Tarozzi presses. “Whether it’s dance or yoga, art or music, have a class where you can let go of any built up stress.”
As academic expectations continue to rise, a great deal of teachers and wellness workers agree mindfulness does not distract from learning, but support it. Through movement, breathing or moments of reflection, students can attempt to manage stress while still promoting growth.
