Wellbeing News

As we all return to remote learning for a second time, you would expect and hope that you will be better prepared than last time.  However, sometimes things might not go quite to plan.  And that is OK.  The Wellbeing Team have sourced some survival tips from Headspace that we hope will assist in managing these challenges. 

CREATE good communication between young people and others at home. Start early so good communication is modelled. 

Take a “you and me” v the problem approach rather than a “you v me” approach. 

Let everyone have some input. Use “I” statements rather than “we” statements. 

“Using ‘I’ statements to express our perspective or needs helps us to own what we are saying rather than giving a sense of blame that can happen with ‘you’ statements 

CREATE a routine: It can be easy for work time, school time and home time to merge into one which can be overwhelming at times, Headspace said. 

Take a walk around the block or exercise when you finish work/school to mimic your usual travel home time. (obeying the COVID-19 restrictions) 

Pack up your work space at the end of your work day, closing computers and putting books away. You may even want to cover your station with a blanket 

Change your clothes to differentiate study and down time. 

MANAGE your expectations: Some households, with parents working from home, might not be able to be as hands on with remote learning. Other households will have more flexibility in moving between supporting online schooling and working. 

DISCUSS expectations around talking to friends during school or work time and encourage peer to peer connection in an appropriate way to maintain social connectedness. 

TAKE regular breaks: Stepping away from the computer, getting some fresh air and stretching is important for everybody. 

MODEL self-compassion: We are experiencing something very unusual and unprecedented at the moment with the transition to online schooling and working from home.  Remember, nobody is going to get this perfectly right. Lots of people are experiencing increased stress and anxiety at the moment and that is really understandable. It is important to take care of yourself during this time.