Six thousand schoolchildren in the UK will participate in an experiment with meditation next year. Students from 76 schools, aged 11 to 14, will learn yoga, meditation and other concentration techniques. And scientists will observe how the psychological state of children will change.
Meditation proponents say that it has a great positive impact on the psyche of students. Some schools already use similar techniques.
“Usually when I go home from school or after lunch I feel overexcited and overly energized, but now I use the 7/11 technique. That is, you breathe in for a count of 7 and breathe out for a count of 11. This helps to calm down and the blood begins to circulate better throughout the body. This technique helps me to calm down, so that I can cope with my studies,”schoolboy Harun Hussein shared his experience.
Teens are particularly prone to stress, scientists say. 50% of mental disorders begin before the age of 15 and 75% before the age of 24.
University of Oxford clinical psychologist William Kuiken said: “We assumed that the practice of meditation in schools would be beneficial for young people. Now, if this hypothesis is confirmed in seven years, it will be possible to assert that we will be able to change the psychological state of a young man who was previously prone to depression."
Paula Kearney, a geography teacher, believes that meditation is not for everyone. She has already taught this technique to some students.
“I don't think it's worth introducing concentration practice for all students. This works for some people, but not for others. But it's really important that teenagers and adults know what it is and how it can benefit them,”she said.
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The researchers will also study the impact of meditation on attendance, academic performance, and social relationships of children.