Counselor's Corner
Weekly Newsletter- May 11, 2020
Week 3
This is a fun opportunity to check-in virtually with each other. Take a moment for yourself. These daily activities are not mandatory and are not meant to take a lot of time. Choose one or try them all, it’s up to you! Please know that you are missed. Be well and take care of yourself and those you love!
Mindful Monday 5/11/2020
Get mentally strong with mindfulness.
Mindfulness is the practice of constantly redirecting our attention to what we are doing at the moment. Being able to redirect our attention gives us more control over our thoughts. When we feel more in control of our inner world, we feel less pulled and controlled by our outer world.
“Wellbeing flourishes from the inside out.... We can’t chase it and we can’t buy it. It’s a form of happiness that is not dependent on external outside circumstances, or on what someone else does or says. It’s an internal state where you’re continuously reminding yourself that you’re okay as you are” Daniel Goleman
According to Goleman, mediation can help strengthen the circuits in your brain that help you react less, be triggered less, and recover more quickly, this is resilience. Additionally, meditation helps students by helping them learn, have better attention, and perform better on tests due to their improved long term memory.
Want to try it?
Annaka Harris Guided Meditation Video
More on mindfulness:
Resources:
https://www.6seconds.org/2017/12/14/daniel-goleman-emotions-wellbeing-mindfulness/
GratiTuesday 5/12/2020
What is gratitude and why is it important?
Gratitude is a feeling of appreciation. You recognize that something is valuable to you which has nothing to do with its monetary worth. It’s looking for the good in our lives.
One way to encourage gratitude and change negative thinking is by changing a few simple words. Instead of saying
“I have to…” try
“I get to….”
“I GET to do school work today.”
Instead of
“I have to do school work today.”
“I GET to do chores today.”
instead of
“I have to do chores today”
When we turn our obligations into fortunate events, we can start to appreciate what we have. WE GET to do school work because we have teachers who care about us. WE GET to do chores because we have possessions to take care of and parents who provide for us.
What do you GET to do today?
Resources:
Wellness Wednesday 5/13/2020
There are 8 dimensions of wellness.
1.Emotional
2. Spiritual
3. Intellectual
4. Physical
5. Environmental
6. Financial
7. Occupational
8. Social
One idea about the 8 dimensions of wellness is if you can change your habits, you can change the quality of your life.
Today we will focus on physical wellness. Physical wellness is not just about exercise, it is also about incorporating activities that improve your physical health overall. This includes learning about nutrition, eating healthy food, moving our bodies, and avoiding tobacco, drugs, and alcohol.
Here are some steps for improving your physical wellness:
* Exercise three times a week for 20-30 minutes
* Walk whenever possible
* Get consistent sleep
* Limit or reduce sugar
What is one way you would like to improve your physical wellness, even just a little bit?
For more ideas, visit the National Institutes of Health at:
Thoughtful Thursday 5/14/2020
Do something today to thank someone else or make their day better.
Here some amazing things I've seen people currently doing!
1. Make thank you posters for medical workers.
2. Paint kindness rocks and leave them around the neighborhood.
3. Keep it simple, offer to do someone else’s chore or cook dinner for the family
There is inspiration to be found everywhere if you look for it. Let the kindness of others inspire you to do something in kind!
Fun Friday 5/15/2020
Boredom setting in? Try a digital game at home!
Build a Business, Explore the Solar System, Race to Save our Earth, Grab Some Virtual Friends and Save each other from a Zombie Breakout!
Scroll to find your grade level and play away!
VMMS School Counseling Website
About your School Counselor
Lennie Wright
School Counselor
Email: wright.lennie.c@muscogee.k12.ga.us
Website: https://vmmsschoolcounseling.weebly.com/
Location: 2008 Old Guard Rd, Columbus, GA, USA
Phone: 706-748-3203