Emotional Well-Being at Wyke

Relaxation You talk to yourself more than anyone around you, maybe not out loud like you do with your friends and family, but we all talk to ourselves. Think about how you talk to yourself, are you kind or are you judgmental? It is so important that we give ourselves positive messages, it’s not about changing yourself, it’s about cutting yourself some slack. Acknowledge when something has not gone right or the way you were expecting and then think about or picture how it could be different and more positive. Use this to make your next experience more positive. If you said all the negative things to another person, how would they react? If another person said those things to you, how would you react? Happiness comes from within, so please be kind to yourself, you will then notice your self-esteem improves, relationships will improve and you will start to feel happier. Try the following; Give yourself time: allow yourself 30 minutes per day to read a book, take a walk

Relaxation What does relaxation mean to you and why is it so important? We are all such busy people that the thought of relaxation seems impossible. Even if you have the time to stop for a few moments and relax your body, most people are unable to relax their minds. Students talk about feeling stressed about exams, relationships, friendships, next steps and many other issues which impact their daily lives and are unable to switch off from this. Do you ever go to bed really tired, having spent the day yawning only to be wide awake for the next 2 hours, unable to fall asleep? There are lots of tips and advice available to you on the internet which help you to relax, below is a list of the top 10 ways to relax;   Be active- exercise creates endorphins which make you feel good. If you exercise this will lift your mood and help you to relax. Try it yourself, go for a walk, clear your mind and you will feel relaxed. Be present- try mindfulness, mindfulness is about being

Mental Health Awareness Week Mental Health Awareness Week 11th-17th May Mental health awareness week is nearly upon us. The theme for this year is Body Image. We all aspire to be something in life, but a lot of the focus is brought back to how we look, social media plays a big part in this. It’s important to understand that we are all different but equally worthy. We should be the best versions of OURSELVES not a pretend version we think is socially acceptable for others. By the best version we mean, healthy, happy, confident, content, supportive, open, honest, be kind to ourselves, respect ourselves, be kind to others, respect others, this is more important than how we look. Check out mentalhealth.org.uk/body-image blog which explores body image and its impact.

I had a black dog Winston Churchill once described his depression as being like having a black dog. Depression and feeling low can really affect our ability to function, the joy is taken out of our lives and sometimes we feel it will always be this way. Every day is a struggle to manage, we feel we have to put on a show for others so they don’t know what we are going through. However, there is lots of support available to you, take a look around you and trust they will support you. I had a black dog is Mathew Johnstone’s insight into what it is like to live with depression, check out his you tube video which has a really powerful message: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiCrniLQGYc

It’s that time of the year when deadlines are here and so are exams! Exam stress can be very upsetting, students report feeling anxious, stressed and agitated. Students also report lack of motivation, scared of failing, and not sleeping properly. No wonder you feel overwhelmed when you are revising for exams. It’s important to know that you are not the only student who is feeling this way, It is normal! You will see throughout this blog that there are tips on how to deal with anxiety and stress, the advice counts for exam stress too. Revisit the blog posts and remind yourself of the tips. If you haven’t read them before, check them out now. Quick tips; DO Stay hydrated Eat well- ensure you eat breakfast on the day of the exam Sleep well Put together a revision timetable with regular short and longer breaks Meet up with friends and revise together Use flash cards Use past exam paper questions to practice Use mindfulness Talk to your teachers Talk to friends and f

May is national walking month, so grab your trainers and comfy shoes and enjoy walking to help boost your mood, increase your energy and build your confidence and self-esteem. You will have read in previous posts that exercise is good for your soul. That doesn’t mean you have to hit the gym, especially if that does not interest you! However, taking steady, gentle walks can help you to relax, help you to clear your mind and gives you time to de-stress and its free so win win! 20th – 27th May is national walk to school/college week, think about those Fitbit competitions you have going with your friends and family, increase your steps and boost your physical and emotional wellbeing. The benefits of walking include; Improves mental health Improves concentration Reduces stress- while you are revising take breaks and go for a walk Clears your mind Healthy heart Improves your digestion (your tummy will thank you) Helps with stiff bones and joints (your older self with thank