Children in schools across England are now being taught mindfulness

In between math and history, children in England are adding something new to their studies: mindfulness.

As part of a study to improve the mental health of children, students in up to 370 schools across England will be taught relaxation techniques, breathing exercises, and other methods to "help them regulate their emotions," the British government announced this week. The goal is to determine which techniques work best for young people.

Kids are under more pressure than ever, and a recent survey found that in England, one in eight children between the ages of 5 and 19 have at least one mental disorder, with depression and anxiety being the most common, The New York Times reports. "Services like these can lessen the anxiety, pain, and anguish that some teens go through, but also reduce their need for intensive support further down the line," said Imrain Hussain, director of policy and campaigns for the British charity Action for Children. The study, one of the largest of its kind, will run through 2021.

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