Student Wellbeing & Mental Health
Lysterfield Primary Student Wellbeing and Mental Health Team
Well-being during a busy Term 3.
As we head into a short but action-packed term, it’s easy to feel swept up in the rush. With the excitement of our school production, swimming program, sports events, and the cold (and often unpredictable) weather, there is always something going on. For students, staff, and families alike, the pace can sometimes feel relentless.
That’s why it’s so important to pause and remember one simple message: be kind to yourself.
Busy schedules and changing routines can take a toll. Cold mornings and sudden weather changes can leave even the most energetic among us feeling a little flat. There will always be things competing for our attention this term, between school events and outside of school activities, especially as winter sports wrap up with finals.
Here are a few things to help everyone in our school community look after their wellbeing this term:
Rest is important. Support your child (and yourself) to get enough rest and sleep. Both bodies and minds need time to recover and recharge. If you notice that your child could do with some additional sleep, have a conversation about how bedtimes can be flexible and that they might benefit from heading to bed a little earlier for a few nights to help look after themselves. It is also okay to not attend every weekend or after-school event. We can often feel pressured as parents for our child not to be the one to miss out; however, not attending one event can provide your child with the downtime that their brain and body might need.
Eat well and stay hydrated. When we are feeling tired, it is easy to grab for the snacks that provide the comfort and good feelings, and much the same can be said for our kids. Having lots of great snacking options available can help at this time of year. With the additional energy expenditure that our students will be experiencing, mixed with the cold weather an additional healthy snack in the lunchbox each day could be needed at the moment.
Dressing for the conditions. With temperatures often changing throughout the day, layering clothes is a smart way to stay warm and comfortable. The number of students who are coming into school in t-shirts and either skirts or shorts, and then also have their arms wrapped around themselves and looking very cold. The ‘battle’ at home about wearing warm clothes can be frustrating and real each morning. Making sure that there is a jumper in their bag, gives your child the option of putting it on throughout the day.
Take short breaks. Even a few minutes of calm, like reading, listening to music, or stepping outside, can help refresh the mind. Finding a way to connect with nature in some way has been shown to boost the feel-good chemicals in our brains. Heading out for a bike ride, playing with a family pet outdoors, going to a walk in a new parkland area and exploring what can be found can be great ways to take some time to disconnect with the frantic pace of life. The weather may be a deterrent at this time of year; however, rugging up and heading out could be a great option for your child.
Celebrate small wins. Whether it's learning a line in the production, learning a new skill, making a shot in basketball, or simply showing up with a positive attitude, every effort matters.
Use kind words with yourself and others. It’s okay to feel tired or to have an off day. Being gentle with ourselves helps build resilience. Not every day can be a great one, and not every moment in every day will be positive. Supporting your child to focus on what was positive in their day rather than the negative. As humans, our brains are wired to be on the look out for ‘threats’, this is our Negativity Bias and is an old biological setting from many thousands of years ago. A good question to ask your child is, ‘What made you smile today?’ and use this to focus on the positive aspects of their day, while supporting them through the tougher times.
This term is filled with opportunities for fun, growth, and memorable experiences. By supporting one another with patience, encouragement, and a little extra care, our Pegasus family will be able to support ourselves and each other through the short but busy time ahead.
Neil Butler
Student Wellbeing Advisor