Dear JES Family and Friends,
Welcome to May! Hopefully, we can all see the light at the end of the tunnel in the 21-22 school year. While spring is in the air, and we may have an extra skip in our step, we as counselors also know that Spring brings TESTING! Testing may produce stress for students, parents, and staff! This season can be overwhelming as our list of to-dos seem to be never-ending and our minds are drifting to those summer days.
Below are a few practical tips from Mental & Behavioral Health at TEA that can help support your students and your overall wellness and resiliency during this time.
1. GET enough sleep. Getting 7-9 hours of sleep increases daily productivity and boosts mood.
2. Exercise daily. Getting up and moving for at least 30-45 minutes of a sustained activity produces the endorphins that improve mood and self-esteem.
3. Eat healthy and well-balanced meals. Make sure that you are getting adequate protein, healthy fats, and a variety of vegetables and fruits. Avoid processed foods and sugar.
4. Go outdoors. Getting outside can help you escape the stressors of work and school. Being outdoors is good for your mind and mood and can help strengthen your immune system.
5. Build a strong support system. Connect with friends and family and embrace new and existing interests.
6. Manage stress. Although some stress can fuel motivation and drive, when we don't properly manage stress it can lead to exhaustion, burnout, and physical ailments. Find some time each day to sit quietly and take a deep breath. Try starting your day with a few minutes of deep breathing exercises.
There's an old saying that goes "If at first, you don't succeed, try, try again." This captures the essence of perseverance. Even when things get hard which they almost always do - perseverance pushes you to keep trying. Why is this a valuable trait to cultivate? Here are ten reasons:
#1 You need the perseverance to reach your goals. All goals require effort. Sometimes, very little is needed, though most of the time, goals take quite a bit of work. You also need patience. There are very few good things in life that come quickly.
#2 Perseverance carries you through failures. Failure is part of life. There are very few people who coast through unscathed, but even then, they are bound to come across a situation at some point that challenges them. Failing is an awful feeling. It's natural to want to avoid that, but the only way to avoid failure is to never try anything. When you approach failure with perseverance, it's easier to see it as a learning experience. Trying again - even when it's risky - becomes another opportunity for growth.
#3 Perseverance encourages adaptability. Perseverance is based on trying again and again, but it also encourages flexibility. Perseverant people are also innovative people. They think outside the box in pursuit of their goals. They are willing to admit when an idea isn't working and they will try something new. This adaptability benefits every area of a person's life and makes them more resilient in an inherently chaotic world.
#4 Perseverance is a learnable skill. Perseverance is not an inbred trait that some people have and others don't. Life experience and community have a big impact on how someone moves through the world, but if you want to be more perseverant, it's a learnable skill. Resilence training is an important part of that. By making a conscious choice to reframe failures, redirect negative thoughts, and regulate tough emotions, you can improve your resiliency. What is the difference between perseverance and resilience? Perseverance is continuing toward a goal no matter what, while resilience is the ability to bounce back from challenges. You need resilience to persevere.
#5 Students benefit significantly from perseverance. School-aged kids face a lot of challenges. They not only have to navigate complex social interactions, but they are constantly learning new things and dealing with pressure about their futures. Perseverance helps them build their self-confidence and find healthy ways to deal with failure. Teachers play an essential role in building a student's ability to persevere. Students should be praised for effort - not just success - and never shamed for failing.
#6 All successful people are perseverant. There is no such thing as an "overnight success."Famous authors have old unpublished stories and books collecting dust while inventors have half-finished projects in their garages. By the time someone reaches a goal - whatever it may be it's more likely than not something they've worked toward for quite some time. While not everyone who perseveres will find fame and fortune, those who do have learned to deal with failure and keep trying.
#7 Perseverance helps you meet exercise goals. Exercise is one of the best things a person can do for their health. Whether it's brisk walking, running, lifting weights, or yoga, working out benefits our entire bodies. It reduces the risk for serious illnesses like heart disease, diabetes, and more. Most of us could work out more often, but it can be challenging to make time for it and to meet our goals. That's where perseverance comes in. By recognizing that fitness goals take work and that we'll face failure, we're better equipped to keep going when things get tough.
#8 Perseverance can improve your relationships. Relationships are essential to a fulfilled life. Research consistently shows that having a strong community benefits a person's mental and physical health. You are more likely to live longer if you have close relationships. Maintaining close relationships can take work. There are conflicts and struggles. Perseverance helps people work out their problems communicate better, and decide which relationships are worth saving.
#9 Perseverance is linked to better mental health. In 2019, researchers published a study in the Journal of Abnormal Psychology that examined over 3,000 adults. These participants had been studied for around two decades. Results showed that people who displayed more perseverance were at a lower risk of depression and anxiety. This information suggests that by focusing on perseverance and resilience, a person could improve their mental health and general outlook on life.
Watch the JList for the most updated times for upcoming activities like Fourth Grade and Kindergarten graduations, Field Day, parties, and clap-outs!
If I can help in any way, please don't hesitate to reach out.
Kindest regards,
Ziba
Elizabeth Johnston
817 949 4500
ziba.johnston@southlakecarroll.edu
