Need a day off

September 30, 2021

Excused absences from schools across the nation require “legitimate excuses,” and this list rarely acknowledges mental breaks. Teen mental health stigma is a pressing matter. Teens may sometimes sound more irritated or angry, have feelings of worthlessness, be extremely sensitive to others’ comments, and withdraw from social situations. If a student is making up excuses to stay home from school, it may very well be because of a battle that they’re fighting mentally. Instituting a law around this absence, like Utah and Oregon, can definitely bring these issues to light. If we can have deeper conversations around these issues and support each other, I believe that we can start seeing mental health as a valid reason to miss a day of school. Mental health can’t be considered a taboo subject anymore, and we need to talk about it. Together, we can work on making mental health, a legitimate excuse for absence in our state.

Hanging out with yourself

February 13, 2021

Loneliness. It consumes your thoughts, while leaving you with a great void inside. Constant reassurances that we’re all in this COVID-19 pandemic together, no matter the distance, can often fall short. In order to endure being alone, you must first accept the feelings of isolation that quarantining stirs. Storing away that pain builds pent-up frustration and drains your mental health. By the same token, it’s essential to learn to work through this pain with self-discovery. Taking care of yourself is as much of a priority as caring for others, thus, it can be beneficial to reserve time to do so. There are a multitude of activities that can help nurture your mental health, including sports, art, or a stroll around the neighborhood. Whatever it may be, easing your frustrated mind can aid with finding bliss in solitude. Being far away from the hustle and bustle of people is a challenge; for the time being, it’s more than okay to enjoy ourselves as company.

Simple recipes for a cup of joy

August 19, 2020

Enlivening someone’s day is among the most gratifying experiences. However, that’s easier said than done, right? Actually, there are a number of things you can do to make someone beam that twinkling smile. One easy way to brighten someone’s day is to shoot them a kind text. An unexpected, warm message popping up on their screen amidst robotic double-tapping can create a “kindness boomerang” effect. Another simple approach is to share a fun book. A quick read that makes you happy is likely to spark the same reaction in others, especially bookworms. If you literally want to follow a recipe to boost someone’s mood, avid foodies, kids, and pretty much anyone with a sweet tooth can appreciate a homemade, delectable dessert. Whether you’re “basically the next Gordon Ramsay” or ready to dust off grandma’s cookbooks, whipping up a goody shows that you care. Though these little things may seem random, they are sure to spread glee around you.

Tried any of these out? Type up a comment to share!

If you’ve got “the blues”, crank up the tunes

August 10, 2020

Waiting for any indication that COVID-19 will start to diminish can make you feel impatient, agitated, or downright bummed. Though physical health has become a global priority, it’s crucial to stay healthy emotionally as well. That’s where music comes into play. Active music listening can be used as a form of therapy, as an outlet for the release of dispirited feelings. Start with a song that matches those thoughts, and slowly shift to more peaceful, positive songs. This method has been proven to engage the neocortex of the brain, calming negative emotions down. Pushing away stress is easier said than done, but music can truly help with tuning out negativity (no pun intended).