Introduction

High school students face various challenges every day, from academic pressure to social interactions. Learning how to stay calm and manage emotions during difficult situations is a vital skill that will benefit them throughout their lives. In this blog post, we will discuss an easy, no-prep activity to help students practice staying calm, followed by discussion questions, related skills, and next steps for educators.

No-Prep Activity: The Calm Countdown

This activity requires no preparation or materials and can be easily incorporated into any classroom setting. The Calm Countdown is a simple technique that helps students focus on their breathing and regain control over their emotions when they feel upset or uncomfortable.

1. Ask students to find a comfortable position, either sitting or standing.
2. Instruct students to close their eyes and take a deep breath in through their nose for a count of four.
3. Have them hold their breath for a count of four.
4. Ask students to exhale slowly through their mouth for a count of four.
5. Repeat this process four times, focusing on each breath and counting silently.

Encourage students to use this technique whenever they feel overwhelmed or upset. It can be a valuable tool for managing emotions and staying calm in challenging situations.

Discussion Questions

1. Why is it important to stay calm and manage our emotions when we feel upset or uncomfortable?
2. What are some signs that you are starting to lose control or feel overwhelmed?
3. What are some strategies that you can use to help you stay calm when you are feeling upset?
4. How can practicing staying calm improve our relationships with peers and adults?
5. How can we support each other in staying calm and managing emotions during difficult situations?

Related Skills

In addition to staying calm, there are other essential skills that students can develop to improve their emotional well-being. Some of these skills include:

• Self-awareness: Understanding one’s own emotions, strengths, and areas for growth.
• Empathy: Being able to put oneself in another person’s shoes and understand their feelings and perspectives.
• Assertiveness: Expressing one’s thoughts, feelings, and needs in a respectful and confident manner.
• Active listening: Paying full attention to the speaker, asking clarifying questions, and responding empathetically.
• Conflict resolution: Finding constructive ways to address disagreements and reach a mutually beneficial outcome.

Next Steps

Teaching students how to stay calm and manage their emotions is an essential part of their social-emotional development. To help you incorporate these skills into your classroom, sign up for free sample materials from Everyday Speech. These resources will provide you with engaging activities and lessons to support your students in developing emotional resilience and maintaining healthy relationships.