Catharine Hannay, MA
Catharine Hannay is the founder of MindfulTeachers.org and the author of Being You: A Girl’s Guide to Mindfulness, a workbook for teen girls on mindfulness, compassion, and self-acceptance.
A Dozen Songs for Teaching Mindfulness to Teens
Here are a variety of songs and videos that you can use to teach your students or clients about mindfulness. I’ve included brief descriptions to help you choose, but (as with any other materials you plan to share with youth) please preview them to make sure they’re appropriate for your context.
In this fun video, a group of teens explain the benefits of mindfulness practice. (Set to the tune of ‘All About That Bass’ by Meghan Trainor.)
- A Beautiful Day, india.arie
R & B song about present-moment awareness, expressing gratitude, and making positive choices.
- Be Cool, L-Fresh the Lion
A Sikh hip-hop artist chooses to respond mindfully to discrimination, so he can take care of himself as he keeps spreading his message.
- Got the Time, Joe Jackson
Fast-paced rock song about how time keeps on tick-tick-ticking away.
- Here Right Now, Rhea Makiaris (ft. Lisa Herbert)
Learning to appreciate the beauty of the present moment instead of always thinking about the past and the future. (Acoustic guitar and vocals, with ASL interpretation.)
- In the Waiting, Kina Grannis
Quiet song about learning to be patient during all the in-between times that make up a life.
- Perfect Mess, Alex Blue
Acoustic/contemporary folk song about self-acceptance.
- Quiet Your Mind, Zac Brown Band
Country rock song about how quickly time passes, so let the present moment sink in.
- Right Here, Right Now, Cassandra Wilson
Jazz song about appreciating what’s happening right now rather than always wanting to be somewhere else.
- Right Now, Sabrina Carpenter
Pop song encouraging teens to put down their cameras and live their youth to the fullest.
- Take a Breath, Jonas Brothers
Pop-punk rock song; when everything feels topsy-turvy, take a moment to take a breath.
- Time Trades, Jeffrey Lewis
Folk song about making the most of the time you have.
For more suggestions, check out the song playlists at MindfulTeachers.org, with a wide range of perspectives on mindfulness, compassion, gratitude, self-acceptance, and resilience.
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