Last week, my mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) group discussed stress and the role of thinking in creating stress. We all agreed that thoughts can be as stressful–if […]

MindSpace Clinic director Dr. Joe Flanders is working with teachers and staff at a Westmount boys school to bring mindfulness into the classroom. Flanders is currently completing a four-week program introducing grade 9 students at Selwyn House School (SHS) to mindfulness, a mental skill that helps calm and focus the mind.

Everyone’s familiar with adult stress: among other sources, adults can face family stress, work stress, financial stress, and health stress. But adults aren’t the only ones suffering from this pervasive mental health problem: teenagers are also reporting increasing levels of stress.

Unavoidable stress is caused by things like weather, delays, other people’s behaviour, and physical pain or discomfort. Avoidable stress is generated when we make every small thing into a big deal.