Counseling Corner
Over the past 6 weeks, lunch bunch has been meeting once per week to support students and offer coping strategies around stress and worry. We defined healthy and unhealthy stress, identified where stress is carried in our bodies, practiced deep “balloon breaths” and enjoyed guided meditations. One concept that particularly resonated was around positive self-talk.
In 2005, the National Science Foundation published an article that said the average person has about 12,000 to 60,000 thoughts per day, and of those, 80% are negative and 95% are exactly the same repetitive thoughts as the day before.
Luckily, we learned that we can rewire our brains. A positive, loving thought can create new neural pathways that can be strengthened over time. To that end, we have named our “brain bullies” and created affirmation jars to hold kind messages for ourselves. Over the winter break, remind your students to be kind and patient with themselves. While we have all struggled, we have also accomplished a tremendous amount this year and there is much to celebrate.
Happy Holidays,
Ms. Layton
