Wellbeing Update

NAIDOC Week

National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia in the first week of July each year (Sunday to Sunday), to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth.

You can support and get to know your local Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities through activities and events held across the country. You can find local events through the NAIDOC Website www.naidoc.org.au

This year’s theme chosen by the National NAIDOC Committee, is Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud & Proud. The theme honours the enduring strength and vitality of First Nations culture – with fire a symbol of connection to Country, to each other, and to the rich tapestry of traditions that define Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The Gap SHS are planning a number of activities and events across week 9 of term 2 to celebrate NAIDOC Week, see flyer for details.

Gaming….

Love it or loathe it, kids are now online gaming. With school holidays approaching is letting our kids game a good or a bad thing?

Gaming is not necessarily a bad thing…..Yep you read that right….

There are many advantages to gaming, not only the enjoyment and social contacts there are a few other benefits. Moderate levels of gaming can help our wellbeing and coping. Often gaming is group run and working as team can help with feeling connected. Gaming can also be puzzle games or strategy games, which are great for our mental fitness or to manage anxiety and help build our resilience, or just be a good relaxation technique. Gaming can also be a great opportunity to bond with your teen.

There are also the physical games- where you can be bowling, skiing, dancing for example. Not only do you get the physical health benefits, but these are great family fun activities and can be low cost or no cost activities.

The office of esafety has great tips and resources to help with setting up a great safe environment so you can be sure your teen has a safe gaming environment and habits.

So, if gaming is ok - when can it be troublesome?

When we spend great amounts of time in front of the screen. It's not good for our vision - can lead to eye strain and headaches.

It's not good for our physical health - we can get blood clots and impair the health of sperm for men (yes you read this correctly). By sitting for extended periods of time we can develop deep vein thrombosis and overheat your sperm. Dump the Junk - Healthier Happier.

It's not good for our sleep patterns. The screen uses blue lights to improve the images. This light makes our brain think it's day light and our melatonin (sleep hormone) is released later and as such we have difficulty switching our brains off resulting in poor sleep or reduced sleep.

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