I Like You When...

Happy Snowy Monday everyone!  

Though we have snow on the ground this morning, I hear that the latter part of the week is supposed to be sunny and warm, so if you are not a snow fan, just hang tight, you may get to soak in some rays later this week.  For you mountain enthusiasts, I hear the snow guns are up and running, so maybe we'll get to break out the sticks around Thanksgiving - fingers crossed!  

Even with the promised sun and the possibility of snowy fun, I know many people struggle at this time of year, and I want to acknowledge that the days are hard right now.  

With the daylight hours now diminished and the afternoons darker, we need to support each other even more!  We need to focus on using our mental wellness tools, (breathwork, mindfulness, mediation, practicing gratitude, daily exercise, eating healthy foods, getting restorative sleep, and seeking support from loved ones, friends, and trusted adults).  We need to focus on finding joy and narrowing our focus on what we can control.  Here is a great graphic that can help you think about what you have control over.  

 

Really try to give your focus to what you can control rather than the things that are outside of your control and that you can't change.  

One of the things on the list of things you can control is your thoughts.  Although you have control over them, it can sometimes be tricky to stay on the right track and not let them start to run away from you.  Our minds are great at sending us into irrational thought mode when they think we have something to fear (ever heard of fight or flight mode? Learn how your brain works).   So when your thoughts start to head down a path that has you feeling worried, unloved, alone, or upset, what can you do to steer yourself back?  Check out some options below.   

Practice breathing - Try this one

Grounding Exercises - Try this one

Mindfulness - Learn about it here and Try some here

Meditation - Here is a body scan mediation

Practice Gratitude - Things to be thankful for - Try making your own Gratitude Jar

I hope some of these ideas are helpful to you.  As usual, don't forget to come to see your friendly neighborhood school counselor for more ideas and support!!  I can show you all kinds of different meditation and mindfulness techniques that you can use now and in the future.  

Keep up the great work Cougars!  I'm rooting for you!

Mrs. Hempey