NEWS

Be kind to yourself

Tuesday’s focus of Mental Health Awareness Week at The Ladies’ College is ‘Kindness to … yourself’.

We’ve asked Mrs Ogier, our College Counsellor, to pass on some self-care tips...

Hi, I hope you are all doing well in these very strange times we find ourselves in. This week is Mental Health Awareness Week, and one way of looking after your mental health is to examine your own self-care. Self-care is hugely important. It helps us maintain a healthy relationship with ourselves. It also produces positive feelings and boosts our confidence and self-esteem…and who doesn’t want a piece of that?

Here are 4 tips for good self-care, particularly during lockdown;

1. PHYSICAL - MOVE YOUR BODY – We aren’t going to school, moving from class to class, so our exercise levels are down – Why not use some of your time to take a walk, do some exercise, get out into the fresh air…or help do the house work! (I’m sure your parents would be pleased). Exercise releases ‘feel-good’ hormones.

2. EMOTIONAL – CUT YOURSELF SOME SLACK – These are not normal times as we know it, our world has changed so much in the last few months, and it is important that you acknowledge this. It is okay to feel down at times, as human beings we ‘ebb and flow’, just like the tides of the ocean. Don’t beat yourself up, instead be gentle with yourself. Ask yourself if ‘I’ was my best friend, how could I best support her…and offer yourself the same support and compassion.

3. SOCIAL – STAY CONNECTED – Human beings are hardwired for connection. Although we can’t physically be close to all the people we want to be at the moment, we are lucky that in this day and age we have the Internet. Use this platform wisely and reap the benefits of virtual connection. Keep reaching out to others for support and ask for help if you need it. Whether that is from teachers, parents or your friends. I too am available on Teams so pop into ‘The Listening Room’ and see ‘Hello’. I’m always up for a chat! Remember we are all in this together.

4. SPIRITUAL - PRACTISE GRATITUDE - Whilst life has been difficult for many of us lately…there are always things we can find in our day that we are grateful for. Why not keep a gratitude diary? Each evening write down three things you have been grateful for that day – it might be cuddling a pet, the sun has been shining or an online giggle with a friend. The little things can really make a difference to our mood, if only we take a moment to focus on them.

I hope that you can consider your own self-care today because kindness to yourselves is vital for healthy mental health.

Take care ladies, and I hope to see you soon.

Mrs Ogier