School Counselor
The Counselor's Mission Statement: To provide comprehensive planning and guidance services that address the academic, career, and personal/social needs and goals of students; To work to give students the opportunities to acquire the educational and social competencies necessary to function effectively in and contribute to a changing society. I look forward to helping you be successful at SCHS . . . and beyond!
Counselor's Corner
STRESS. The alliteration of that word sounds like the hissing of a snake, does it not? Some stress is good (eustress); some stress is bad (distress). High school can be a pretty tough time for many students: classes become harder, you have more responsibility, you feel the need to fit in with your peers, and perhaps you even have to work. This article provides seven tips on managing your stress level.
- Eat, Sleep, and Put things in perspective
- Be positive
- Have a healthy escape from school
- Lighten up and laugh a little
- Give yourself a little reward for doing well
- Stay away from drugs and alcohol
- Talk with someone
An important skill to have throughout your life is to keep things in perspective. A proper perspective actually reduces stress. For any situation that is stressful, take a second to look at it from a different point of view. First, make sure that you eat healthy and get enough sleep. This often solves the issue of stress. Also try to visualize how unimportant this stressful moment is in the whole scheme of life. This exercise is designed to help you 'let go' of the little stress triggers that everyone experiences.
Keep thoughts focused on the positive. Again, this is easier if you are sleeping properly and eating healthy. I’m not saying you should be phony. Concentrate on what you can get out of an experience rather than on what you are losing. How will this experience make you stronger, smarter, and more determined? Overcoming hurdles is what builds your character. It helps if you surround yourself with people who are positive, supportive, and there for you. Having someone who believes in you will inspire you to believe in yourself.
A healthy escape from school means breaking your daily routine a little. Give yourself a little bit of 'me' time each day. A good idea is to use this 'me' time to do something physical: physical activity reduces stress. For example, take a walk or hike, play with your dog outside, shoot some hoops, take a walk on the beach, do yoga. Be creative about hobbies you may want to pursue – learn to play an instrument, pick up knitting, read more about locomotives, or learn to build a kite.
Find something about which to laugh. Laughter can get rid of stress as well as exercise can. There are things you can do to promote a lighter-heart – a comedy movie night, a funny book/magazine, visiting with your pet, and most importantly, time spent with a friend who can share your laughter. .
You should reward yourself for doing well in school, on a sports team, or for doing all your chores and homework. This doesn't mean that you reward yourself for every little thing like just going to school or just doing an assignment. When you know you have performed well on a given task, take some “free” time to enjoy the moment; do something you utterly enjoy.
You are given a truly remarkable body and mind. You spend time improving it inside and out. Why even take the chance that you could destroy your mind and your body forever by putting a drug in your body?
When you are stressed, find someone with whom you can talk out what is stressing you. Oftentimes, you will see things differently and you will know that you are loved and supported for who you are. With that knowledge we wisely realize that things will get better.
