Being a teenager is hard. School can be challenging, sports demand a lot of your time, and you’re expected to fit in other activities like volunteering and interning into an already-packed schedule. Not to mention the social pressures to have tons of (Instagram-worthy!) fun with your friends. And while you can’t actually add more hours into the day — trust us, every adult in history has tried — you can find ways to make the most of the minutes you have.

If you’ve gotten on the Internet anytime in the 2010s and beyond, you’ve surely encountered the term “mindfulness.” Along with it, different techniques to pursue it and plenty of benefits once it’s achieved. Perhaps you’ve downloaded a meditation app or attempted a yoga class, or maybe you’re overwhelmed at such a strange notion. Either way, you’re right to be curious because mastering mindfulness at an early age could truly be the secret to success.

Wherever You Go, There You Are

How does boarding school fit into the complicated puzzle of mental well-being, finding balance and achieving a more mindful state? The short answer is location, location, location: in every sense of the word. Starting with the actual, physical location. You see, boarding schools are intentional with everything from building architecture, curriculum design and socialization techniques.

“Unlike standard high schools, these campuses are designed for you to truly feel at home.”

Unlike standard high schools, these campuses are designed for you to truly feel at home. There are resources, facilities, outdoor spaces and, most importantly, supportive adults at every turn. More and more studies are demonstrating the importance of safe spaces for teens to take a break from code switching — student, young professional, friend, athlete, etc. — to just be. Boarding schools are uniquely equipped to provide a more comprehensively safe space for their students. From classrooms and libraries to dorms, dining halls and common spaces, there is a familiarity that helps students feel comfortable in their own skin.

Part of That World

The camaraderie and comfort that boarding school campuses provide is just the start, though. Opportunities to practice mindfulness are quite literally becoming part of many curricula across the boarding landscape. Schools are turning their attention to equipping teens to manage life’s many stresses by focusing on balance and prioritization. In fact, some of our schools have full courses dedicated to mindfulness.

“At a time when societal pressures and peer influence is at an all-time high, it’s more important than ever to be aware of emotions and how they may affect day-to-day life.”

Whether specifically a part of each day’s studies or an added bonus, boarding schools understand the importance of incorporating mental health awareness for teens. At a time when societal pressures and peer influence is at an all-time high, it’s more important than ever to be aware of emotions and how they may affect day-to-day life. That’s why they employ more mental health and adolescent psychologists than standard schools.

From the Inside Out

Taking control of your health is an important skill and one that is best acquired sooner rather than later. Oftentimes, teens who are living under the same roof as their parents rely on those parents to schedule doctor appointments, make healthy choices and encourage wellness, and so, when they venture off to college and beyond, they may not even know where to begin.

Fostering independence, as it pertains to health and well-being, is at the core of every boarding student’s life but, unlike in college, they don’t have to do it alone. Every campus has a plethora of wellness resources available to its student body. And if you don’t know where to start, someone can help guide you in the right direction.

“When surrounded by like-minded peers who are taking accountability for mental health and supported by a network of professional mentors, it promotes a healthier, happier and more successful life.”

The end result of these concentrated efforts, comes in the form of a more well-rounded student body. With such an emphasis on the important things, it’s nearly impossible to not pay attention to what’s going on inside your head and heart. When surrounded by like-minded peers who are taking accountability for mental health and supported by a network of professional mentors, it promotes a healthier, happier and more successful life.

Ready to experience it for yourself? Connect with us or find the perfect school for you.