Counsellor/Wellbeing News

Firstly I would like to congratulate the Year 11 Wellbeing committee for their creative series of videos they launched this week. Their videos highlighted the importance of physical, emotional, social, cognitive and spiritual aspects for maintaining and improving our wellbeing and how there are many small steps we can all take to make some positive changes to our lives. If you haven’t seen it yet please go and check it out.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBjt4LFDf5ZRezKNSUgc4PQ

Absolutely amazing job! Well done and congratulations to everyone involved in creating these informative but also entertaining videos. I hope students, staff, families and the community watch them and take some action towards making some changes in their lives.

Absolutely amazing job! Well done and congratulations to everyone involved in creating these informative but also entertaining videos. I hope students, staff, families and the community watch them and take some action towards making some changes in their lives.

It can be hard to stay positive in these testing times. I know many students and staff have been getting frustrated at little things that wouldn’t usually bother them, along with worrying about the bigger, more important things. This is quite normal. We are going through significant changes and don’t have our usual supports around us or as available as we usually do, so this type of stress is expected.

But it is important that we take action so these feelings do not overwhelm us or we get stuck with them.

So here are a few short sentences to help both students and adults.

FOCUS ON WHAT MATTERS

Steve Maraboli, a behavioural science academic, once said that “Incredible change happens in your life when you decide to take control of what you do have the power over instead of craving control over what you don’t.”

Focusing on what you can’t change makes you stressed and frustrated. Whilst at times we may think of the worst-case scenario, dwelling on it isn’t helpful. Avoiding an opportunity out of fear can make you less creative and increasingly conservative in your approach to learning. By helping students focus on what they can control and reminding them how they can influence the outcome of a situation, you can help them to enhance their motivation and confidence towards their studies.

ONE DAY AT A TIME

It is nice to reminisce at times or to plan exciting things for your future but one of the best ways to manage worrying is to focus on the present. Practicing mindfulness can increase your self-awareness and improve your psychological wellbeing. Living in the present will help you cherish each moment and make the most of your day.

Sometimes the present isn’t the greatest especially when you are going through something difficult but facing it head on, with a sense of perspective can be good for you and help you to build resilience.

ACCEPT WHAT YOU CAN’T CONTROL

This can be quite a tricky one to master, but acceptance is a big step towards reducing your worry. Acknowledge that there are things you can’t control. The uncertainty that comes with focusing on these things outside of your control can breed stress and worry.

Take a step back and accept that there are things you don’t have control of and that you must allow to naturally take their course.

Sometimes we all need a little reminder to get more sleep or exercise, to eat better, to be a better friend, to challenge ourselves, to be kind to ourselves, to look for the good things, to question our unhelpful thoughts and mostly to be kind to ourselves and others and remember that while times can be challenging it will not last forever.

Karen Surian

College Counsellor/ Social Worker