Mean Stinks - Start a Movement of Nice!

Depression

Webster defines depression as "a state of feeling sad," or "a serious medical condition in which a person feels very sad, hopeless, and unimportant and often is unable to live in a normal way."

Depression is very real and is unfortunately something students deal with in each of our schools.

The following links will help readers learn more about depression and more importantly, help readers recognize the signs of depression.

If ever you have any questions or concerns about your child, please do not hesitate to contact your child's counselor.


Signs of Depression in Children

Signs and Symptoms of Depression

The Pain-Depression-Anxiety Connection

Rude vs. Mean vs. Bullying: Defining the Differences

Click here to read an article to help distinguish the difference between Rude or Mean Behavior and Bullying by Signe Whitson

The Power of the Bystander

Could YOU be the bully? Think about it. Read through this flow chart and be honest with yourself.

Wellness. Mindfulness. Balance

Wellness. Mindfulness. Balance. These are all words that invoke a sense of peace in all of us, but in our fast-paced society we struggle to attain. Those words brings us back to the classic trilogy of Mind-Body-Spirit. It's amazing that kids are now being taught mindfulness in grades K-12 in schools simply to experience the present moment and calm themselves. In a society that has morphed into a series of constant stimulation and expectation of immediate gratification, it is more important than ever to practice self-care on a daily basis.

  Mind

Living in the present moment is something we all struggle with. We tend to focus on the next thing that needs to be done which tends to cause us to live in a state of worry/anxiety. Recent research has shown great benefits to practicing mindfulness on a daily basis. Click here to try 8 exercises that help you live in the moment!

“If you are depressed you are living in the past. If you are anxious you are living in the future. If you are at peace you are living in the present.” -Lao Tzu

Body 

 January tends to be a month where we are seeing more weight loss commercials and more crowds at our local gyms! Caring for our bodies should never be on a timeline. It should be an everyday practice/365 days a year!

•  The more you fill your body with foods that are closer to nature and the more you move, the better you will feel. It truly is as simple as that.
•  Change one thing a week (eg. cut out soda and incorporate water/tea in the afternoon)
•  Get off the scale every morning and pay attention to your energy.

 Here is a great article on shifting to a healthier lifestyle.

  Spirit

Check out this article from the awesome blog Mind Body Green entitled: 10 things to give up to experience more happiness in 2015. If you have a little more time and would like to see an uplifting, award-winning documentary on happiness rent “Happy” it will truly change your perspective on life!

  You are your child’s best teacher. If you have connected with the information we have shared, it will most likely resonate with them too! So show them the links, watch the “Happy” movie with them, and most importantly listen to how it affects them. The habits they are developing now guide their mind, body, and spirit in years to come...and it is never too late to change! Peace!

Self-care through the holidays

When Sadness and Grief Take the Joy Out of the Holidays

Tips for handling grief through the holidays

The Empty Chair at the Holiday Table | Psych Central

Understanding the stages of grief

Teen Grief Relief

"Spin-Doctor Parenting": Teen Grief Relief: Teens can be a tricky lot.  Developmentally, they're goal is to separate from you, manage things on their own and to step-out into th...