It's a sobering fact that should concern us all: UK 15-year-olds had the lowest average life satisfaction in Europe according to recent data, and 11% of children aged 10-17 have low wellbeing. When you consider the UK ranks 21 out of 36 high-income countries for child wellbeing, and joint second from last for teenage life satisfaction, it becomes clear we're facing a crisis that demands urgent action.

The Uncomfortable Truth About Our Children's Mental Health

Whilst other nations have made strides in protecting children's wellbeing, 25.2% of UK young people report low life satisfaction, the highest level among European countries, compared to just 10.8% in Finland. This isn't just about statistics – it's about the very real struggles of children in our classrooms and homes.

Mental health disorders in children aged 5-16 increased from 10% in 2017 to 16% in 2020, with rates amongst 17-19 year olds reaching 23% by 2023. Even more concerning, children's happiness with their life as a whole, their friends, appearance, school, and schoolwork were all significantly lower in 2021/22 than in 2009/10.

Behind these numbers are children sitting in our classrooms feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and unprepared to manage the emotional challenges of modern life.

What's Working Elsewhere – And What We're Missing

Countries that rank higher in child wellbeing haven't discovered a magic formula, but they have invested in preventative approaches to mental health. Whilst the Netherlands and Denmark retain their position as the top two places to be a child, the UK continues to lag behind, even falling below countries with lower GDP per capita.

The gap isn't just in funding – it's in our approach. We're still predominantly treating mental health problems after they develop, rather than equipping children with tools to build resilience from the start.

The Promise of Yoga and Mindfulness in Schools

Here's where the conversation gets exciting. Research is showing remarkable results from yoga and mindfulness interventions in schools, and the evidence base is growing rapidly.

What the Evidence Shows

Mental health issues cost the UK economy £105 billion annually, yet yoga requires limited space, no equipment, and is easy to learn. It's an accessible intervention that schools can implement without massive infrastructure changes.

Recent UK studies reveal impressive outcomes:

133 Key Stage 1 teachers surveyed reported using yoga and mindfulness activities to support children to calm down and relax (88% of participants) and to support pupils' self-awareness and self-regulation (62% of participants), with 65% rating these activities as extremely or very useful.

The benefits extend far beyond relaxation. Young adolescents participating in yoga and mindfulness interventions reported increased emotional regulation, positive mindset and self-confidence, and greater focus and concentration. These are precisely the skills our children need to navigate today's pressures.

It's Not Just About Feeling Calm

School-based yoga can improve academic achievement and classroom behaviour, whilst yoga-based physical fitness results in numerous positive outcomes including improved mood and enhanced cognitive performance. Teachers report observable changes in their pupils – children becoming more able to settle after break times, showing improved focus during lessons, and developing better strategies for managing difficult emotions.

Mind-body interventions help children and adolescents develop skills to better manage challenges in their everyday lives, which is particularly valuable for children facing additional stressors, including those from more deprived areas.

Breaking Down Barriers

You might worry about fitting another programme into an already packed curriculum, but here's the good news: it doesn't require lengthy sessions. Many teachers integrate yoga and mindfulness in short five-minute bursts at the start of the day, during transitions, or after lunch to help children refocus.

Teachers aware of research into the benefits of yoga and mindfulness for school-age children identify fewer barriers to delivering these activities than those unaware of such research. Education is key – when teachers understand the evidence, they feel more confident implementing these practices.

Interestingly, Key Stage 1 teachers in faith schools (Catholic and Church of England) are equally likely to use classroom-based yoga and mindfulness as teachers in non-faith schools, demonstrating these practices can be delivered in a secular, inclusive manner appropriate for all school settings.

What Parents and Educators Can Do Now

The good news is that you don't need to wait for national policy changes to make a difference. Here are practical steps you can take:

For Educators:

• Start small with five-minute mindfulness exercises at the beginning of lessons
• Use breathing techniques to help children transition between activities
• Access free online resources and training programmes designed specifically for teachers
• Integrate movement breaks that incorporate simple yoga postures
• Create a calm corner in your classroom where children can practise self-regulation techniques

For Parents:

• Practise simple breathing exercises with your children at home
• Encourage mindful moments during daily routines – eating, walking, bedtime
• Look for after-school yoga classes designed for children
• Model mindfulness yourself – children learn from what they see
• Advocate for wellbeing programmes in your child's school

The Bigger Picture

Whilst individual interventions are valuable, there is an urgent need for a targeted, strategic and long-term vision for children and young people, with decisive action and national leadership needed to overturn the decline in children's wellbeing.

Yoga interventions may be implemented in schools as a preventative and therapeutic measure for mental health issues, but they need to be properly integrated into school life rather than treated as an optional extra.

We must ask ourselves: if other countries can prioritise children's mental health and wellbeing with measurable success, why can't we? Our children deserve better than being joint second-to-last in Europe for life satisfaction.

We Need to Act Now

The evidence is clear. Yoga and mindfulness aren't trendy add-ons or wishy-washy alternatives to "real" education – they're evidence-based interventions that can help reverse the worrying decline in our children's wellbeing.

Every child who learns to manage their breathing when anxious, every classroom that becomes calmer and more focused, every young person who develops self-regulation skills – these are victories we can achieve starting today.

The children in our care are growing up in an increasingly complex, pressured world. We owe it to them to provide tools that will serve them for life. Yoga and mindfulness in schools aren't the complete answer to the wellbeing crisis, but they're an accessible, cost-effective part of the solution that's already showing results.

The question isn't whether we can afford to implement these programmes. Given where our children rank globally in terms of wellbeing, the real question is: can we afford not to?

Key References and Resources

1. The Children's Society (2024). The Good Childhood Report 2024. Available at: childrenssociety.org.uk
2. UNICEF (2025). Report Card 19: Child Wellbeing in an Unpredictable World.
3. NHS Digital. National Study of Health and Wellbeing: Children and Young People.
4. PMC. "The effects of yoga on mental health in school-ag