Tips for the new school year

Starting a new school year can be overwhelming

Some students may be transitioning from primary school to high school, or changing schools, classes or homerooms, and that can be tricky for some young people. 

Our team at headspace Albury Wodonga have brainstormed some handy tips that you can implement throughout the schools year, when times feel tougher than usual. 

7 Tips for a Healthy headspace

Good mental health and wellbeing allows us to live our lives in positive and meaningful ways and cope with life’s changes and challenges. It helps us work and study, feel connected to others, be involved in activities and bounce back when times are tough. 

There are a number of things you can do to help you look after and maintain your mental health and wellbeing. These are things like staying active, doing things we enjoy, connecting with our family and friends, eating well, learning ways to handle tough times, getting enough sleep and cutting back on alcohol and other drugs.  

To read more about the 7 tips, click here

Routines

Having a routine to follow in the morning and after school can be comforting, especially during times of change. Getting ready for school and participating in after-school activities can be busy, so having a routine outlines what you will do in a certain order ensures you don't forget to do anything!

The example shown may not be your exact morning routine, but it's a good start. It's best to wake up at the same time each morning, and follow a consistent routine. Your morning may include walking your dog, reading your book, catching the bus or finishing homework. It will look different for everyone!

The 5-4-3-2-1 grounding technique

For when you are experiencing symptoms of stress, anger, fear or nervousness

Do you sometimes notice your thoughts racing, or that you're not able to focus on your current environment? This handy regulation technique can help to bring you back to the present moment. 

By naming 5 things you can see, 4 things you can touch, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell, and 1 thing you can taste, you are focusing on what's around you, bringing you out of your thoughts and into the present moment. 

You can repeat these steps as many times as you need to!

Shape breathing

For when you're feeling angry, nervous, or overwhelmed

Anger is not a "bad" emotion; it's perfectly valid to feel angry and frustrated. Feeling angry is our body's way of communicating that something doesn't sit quite right with us. 

Breathing exercises in general are a great technique when you're feeling overwhelmed, as it helps to counteract your "fight or flight" response to what your mind perceives as danger. It slows your heartrate, helps you to take control of your breathing, and brings you can to the present moment. 

You can use any shape as a visual to follow to regulate your inhale and exhale pattern, as long as it has 3 or more edges. Flowers, squares, mountain-lines, triangles... anything you'd like! 

remember, support is always available.

headspace Albury Wodonga are available for young people aged 12-25 by offering support for mental health and wellbeing, physical and sexual health, work and study, and alcohol and other drugs concerns.  

eheadspace are also available for 1:1 online and phone support, between 3pm-10pm. You can create an account here