More US schools are taking breaks for meditation. Teachers say it helps students' mental health

School districts across the U.S. are adopting mental health practices as a part of their daily schedules and curriculums. Yoga, meditation and mindfulness exercises are being implemented alongside traditional reading, math and science lessons. Programs such as Inner Explorer, an audio platform that supports mindfulness and social-emotional learning, have been supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as improving students’ mental development and growth. In 2023, the CDC recommended schools use mindfulness practices as a part of a course or in brief sessions throughout the day to help students manage stress and emotions.