Focus of the Week: Simple Steps to Keeping Mentally Healthy
Morning Offering
O Jesus through the most pure heart of Mary, I offer thee all my prayers, works, joys and sufferings of this day for all the intentions of Thy divine heart and particularly for the intentions of Our Holy Father, the Pope.
As we begin a new term, it is important that we take time to consider how we can live well and enjoy life, whilst keeping in perspective the daily demands that arise through our work and studies.
Remember what’s normal.
Feeling the full range of human emotions is part of everyday life. Sadness, anger and anxiety are normal and appropriate responses to certain circumstances, just as calm, joy and excitement are. The trick is to feel the right emotion, in the right way, at the right time, towards the right situation, for the right reasons. It may well be that difficult or unpleasant emotions are there for a good reason and our job is to understand why they are there, even if this may be difficult to accept at times. Our emotions and moods can be directly affected by what we choose to think, say and do. Learning to regulate our emotions is an important human skill.
Do not underestimate friendship.
Friendship is vital for a good life of the mind. The people who care for us, commiserate with us, share our joys, offer a listening ear, and spend time with us doing what we love make a massive difference.
Sleep.
There is a strong relationship between sleep and mood. Adults need 7–8 hours per night and adolescents need 8–9. This is a needand can make a huge difference There are some ideas herefor how to improve your sleep. Before you go to bed to put your phone away and spend time reading a book or article.
http://www.nhs.uk/LiveWell/sleep/Pages/sleep-home.aspx
Exercise.
The NHS suggests that if exercise were a pill, it would be one of the most cost-effective drugs ever. This is especially true of mental health and our ability to learn and there is strong evidence linking a lack of exercise to poor mood. There is more here on the NHS website
http://www.nhs.uk/livewell/fitness/Pages/Fitnesshome.aspx
Learn the ways of the mind: tend the mind with care.
There are various ways we can tend the mind, but of most importance is learning to observe patterns of thought and address thoughts we have that are inaccurate, inflexible or unkind (to ourselves and others). What we think directlyaffects how we feel and what we do. Challenging yourself to think accurately and flexibly can help you avoid prolonged unpleasant or difficult emotion.
http://www.loyolapress.com/3-minute-retreats-daily-online-prayer–reflect and pray.
https://www.headspace.com/– meditate on the experience of your day.
- A reminder that Holy Mass is offered 3 days each week (Tuesday, Thursday, Friday) at 8.25am and is an excellent way to start the day with a large number of pupils, staff and parents in attendance.
- The Wednesday morning Prayer Breakfast offers a time for reflection, prayer and social company from 8-8.40am. Again it is very well supported by pupils and staff. All are warmly welcome.
Play and learn.
Any worthwhile form of play or learning will build what is called psychological capital and our sense that we are capable and can accomplish things. The brain is open to learning complex skills well into old age
Ask for help.
Sometimes, low mood can be persistent, despite our best efforts. You are not on your own and there is lots of help in our school to call upon. Trusted friends, teachers, and other staff can often help you through difficult times. In addition, the school provides access to a counselling service for students. The NHS can also provide help through appointments with your GP, who can refer you to get the right help.
There is an excellent website http://www.actionforhappiness.org/
Find out more about the10 Keys to Happier Living.
