This year I have been struggling with motivation and have felt restless. I have found that this is mediated when I go outside and spend time in nature. Therefore, a great way for me to feel better and get in an hour or more of exercise every day is to go on walks around my neighborhood. Not only does this allow me the chance to get some fresh air, but it also enables me to explore my surroundings- just yesterday I discovered a new cafe that I will certainly grab brunch from in the future!
I’ve come to realize that walking is an effective form of stress relief and helps lift my mood. Going for an early morning or late evening walk is incredibly therapeutic, and as we transition from spring to summer here in Melbourne the weather and scenery continue to get better and better. Observing these changes whilst staying active has assisted me in setting a positive tone for the rest of my day and feeling more productive overall.
On top of this, a good method of decompressing is to meditate. Meditating requires a large amount of focus and the ability to both compartmentalize and clear one’s mind- both skills I definitely need to work on! I am a chronic overthinker, and spending so much time on social media over the last 2 years in lockdown has led to me, like many other teenagers, developing a shorter attention span. In order to reverse these effects, I have taken to following short guided meditation tutorials. I have been doing so for 2 weeks and have noticed that I feel calmer when dealing with an issue. I plan to continue to carve out time in the morning to do this and observe the effects using a mood tracker.
LO1: Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth Students are able to see themselves as individuals with various abilities and skills, of which some are more developed than others.
LO4: Show commitment to and perseverance in CAS experiences Students demonstrate regular involvement and active engagement in CAS.