School can be mega-stressful. New teachers and schedules, the never-ending pile of homework, tons of after-school activities. Add in the social stuff – friends, crushes, and finding the right outfit every morning? So. Overwhelming. Fortunately, we here at YogaKids have a tip to share that can make your life a little easier. And it’s so easy. It’s… doing nothing.

Ok, so technically, it’s not “nothing.” It’s “meditating.” Meditation isn’t just for monks and gurus. It’s for anyone interested in making life come with more joy and ease.

The dictionary defines meditation as “the act of spending time in quiet thought.” It’s been used in yoga and religious practices around the world since ancient times. And there’s a good reason for that. Meditating for just ten minutes twice a day can reap powerful benefits. It can quiet your mind, relax your body, and decrease anxiety. It can improve your relationships, test-taking talents, and even your athletic performance.

Ok – so meditation is great. But how do you do it? You just sit in a comfortable position. You can open your eyes or close them. You can listen to music when you do it, too — as long as it’s quiet and comforting. (And, you know, with no lyrics to guide your thoughts towards that person you’ve been crushin’ on.)

And that’s it. The idea is to clear your mind. That’s impossible to do, of course. We’re all thinking creatures and we can’t just turn off our brains. But that’s ok. Let the thoughts come in your head, acknowledge them, and then let them fly back out. Don’t hang on to them. And – this one is important — don’t judge them.

Oh – and one more thing. Although it sounds super-simple, it can be hard at first. Sitting still and doing nothing? Most people aren’t used to doing that. It can seem boring and lame at first. You’ll probably feel a bit silly too. But give it a try and stick with it for a week.

You might just be amazed at what a bit of nothing can do…