What Happens When Middle and High School Students Practice Gratitude? Here’s What They Told Us.
At The Motion of Gratitude®, we often say that gratitude isn’t just something you feel—it’s something you practice. But what happens when you give that practice to middle and high school students navigating stress, pressure, and daily challenges?
We recently gathered feedback from students at a Delaware based Middle School who participated in our 4-week guided experience using the Gratitude Guidebooks for Youth. The results were honest, insightful, and—at times—surprisingly moving.
🎯 The Goal:
To help students build a foundation of emotional awareness, mindfulness, and presence through daily gratitude practices.
🌱 How Students Described Their Experience
We asked students to share what the experience was like for them in their own words. Here’s what they said:
🗣️ "It was calming and relaxing."
🗣️ "It made me think about what I actually have instead of what I don’t."
🗣️ "I learned I can be calm, even when things feel loud or frustrating."
While not every student connected deeply with every activity, the vast majority described the experience as relaxing, interesting, and eye-opening. For many, it was their first time being introduced to breathwork, mindfulness, or reflective journaling.
📊 Most Helpful Practices (According to Students)
When asked which practice was the most helpful, here’s what stood out:
Practice % of Students Who Chose It
🌀 4-2-6 Breath Practice 42%
💗 Loving-Kindness Meditation 28%
📓 Gratitude Journaling 25%
💫 Gratitude Bracelet & Sharing Practice 17%
💓 Heart Coherence Breathing5%
🗣️ "The breath helped me when I was about to get really mad. I took some deep breaths to calm down."
🗣️ "The journaling helped me start seeing what’s going right in my day."
Even those who weren’t sure at first admitted they liked certain parts of the experience—especially when it gave them tools they could use in real moments of stress or conflict.
💬 Real Impact, In Their Own Words
When we asked, “Have you noticed any changes in yourself?” here’s what they told us:
“I feel more present in my day.”
“I feel less worried or frustrated.”
“I haven’t noticed much yet, but I’m starting to think differently.”
And when asked what they learned about themselves:
🗣️ "I have a lot to be grateful for."
🗣️ "I didn’t realize how often I hold my breath when I’m stressed."
🗣️ "I can be in control of how I react."
🌟 Will They Keep Using These Tools?
While some students were unsure, over half said they plan to keep using at least one of the practices they learned—especially breathing techniques and journaling.
When asked if they’d recommend the experience to others, most students said yes.
🗣️ “Because some of my friends have anger issues and this helped me stay calm.”
🗣️ “Yes, it helps you when you’re overwhelmed.”
💡 What Students Told Us Could Improve
As always, we invite honest feedback. Some students suggested:
Adding more interactive or game-based elements
Offering more choices day-to-day
Keeping lessons shorter or more varied in format
We’re taking this to heart as we continue evolving the experience for different learning styles and environments.
🎓 The Takeaway for Educators & Parents
The Motion of Gratitude Guidebooks were designed with one goal: to give young people simple, repeatable tools to feel more grounded, aware, and present. These reflections show us that even in just four weeks, students are not only trying new things—but also noticing real shifts in how they show up.
In a time when emotional regulation and resilience are more needed than ever, these practices aren’t just helpful—they’re essential. Think about it. In a group of 70 students that is at least 35 kids who felt like they now have tools and practices that can support them, that they didn’t have before.
Ready to Bring the Experience to Your School?
We offer both individual guidebooks and bulk pricing for schools and organizations. If you’d like to learn more or bring The Motion of Gratitude to your classroom, reach out to support@themofg.com
or explore [our student guidebooks page].
Let’s help the next generation not just get through the day—but show up with intention.