Counselor’s Corner, November 2024
Dear St. John Families,
I hope this message finds you well! In this November newsletter, I want to take a moment to give you a gentle reminder about the importance of self-care. As the days grow darker, the demands of work and life pile up, and the busyness of the holiday season approaches, it’s important to make time to care for ourselves.
Self-care can take many forms, and even setting aside just 5-10 minutes each day can significantly impact our moods, our relationships, and how we care for our children. Not only is it beneficial for us, but prioritizing our mental health also serves as a valuable example for our kids.
If you’re looking for self-care ideas, I like this simple graphic that shows the 6 Components of Self-Care: mental, physical, emotional, practical, relationships, and spiritual. Finding one small thing each day to nourish our mind, body, or spirit can go a long way in sustaining our well-being.
As always, families are welcome to contact me at cshaw@st-johnschool.org. And students can fill out the I Would Like to See My Counselor online self-referral form, or pop by my office if they ever need anything.
Wishing your family all the best!
Ms. Shaw
November Resources
- As we enter the Thanksgiving and holiday season, check out this 21-Day Family Gratitude Challenge. If you begin the challenge on November 8, you’ll finish on Thanksgiving Day!
- Mindfulness is a beneficial practice for all ages. Common Sense Media has a great list of some apps to try. And for some screen-free mindfulness activities, take a look at these 5 simple ways to practice mindfulness with kids.
- Anxiety disorders are on the rise and one of the top mental health disorders diagnosed in childhood. If you’re unsure how to respond to your anxious child, check out these simple and helpful phrases and try to avoid using these. If anxiety is severely interfering with your child’s daily life, it’s important to seek help. Feel free to email me for resources or speak with your child’s pediatrician.
