Pastoral Care Worker News

This has been a year like no other. In Australia we have had fires, floods and COVID-19 to deal with. The lockdown has been hard on many people and a lot have lost their jobs and income.

How do we navigate this new season before us? It has affected us all differently, but I am sure it has affected you in some way also. Perhaps you can’t go on a holiday, or visit interstate family, or found it hard to shop for necessities when the worst of the lockdown happened.

I came across a Poster which was stuck up in our Staff toilets, and perhaps there are some ideas here that you would like to try when you are having an especially hard day.

We have some “feel good” hormones in our brain that we can access and increase by engaging in certain past-times. See if any of these are helpful.

Dopamine – The Reward Chemical

• Complete a task
• Do some Self Care activities
• Eat Food
• Celebrate little wins

Oxytocin – The Love Hormone

• Play with a dog
• Play games with a baby
• Hold someone’s hand
• Hug your family
• Give a compliment

Serotonin – The Mood Stabiliser

• Practice Mindfulness
• Run
• Sit in the Sun
• Take a walk in nature
• Swim
• Cycle

Endorphin – The Pain Killer

• Do a Laughing exercise
• Use Essential Oils
• Watch a comedy
• Eat Dark Chocolate
• Exercise/Dance

It is very important that we care for ourselves (and each other) when tough times are upon us all. Have you thought about giving some of your produce from your veggie patch to a neighbour or baking a cake for a friend going through a hard time? Sometimes a laugh and a chat over a cup of coffee makes us feel better. Whatever it is, I encourage you to find time to look after yourselves this week and do something that helps you to smile.

Being grateful for even the smallest of things also helps us stay positive. 

Afternoon Tea

We have a wonderful afternoon tea every Friday in the Conference Room from 2:30pm which is provided by Naomi from the Canteen. It has been wonderful to see some new parents come in and join us. Just follow the laughter...

We hope to see you there, everyone is warmly welcomed.

Every Blessing

Cherie Love, Pastoral Care Worker