Introducing a Weekly Counselors Corner: Looking for the Silver Linings
Here are five tips for all Tartans on capturing the silver linings:
From School Counselor Dr. Janice Avalone
The state of our world today naturally provokes inherent stress and anxiety for everyone. To counterbalance and reduce these feelings it is helpful to look for the moments of joy and blessing that I call “silver linings.” They are all around us, however they can be overshadowed by the sadness and fear we may be feeling at this time. Staying positive is the core ingredient to coping with a crisis. Positive psychology research shows that our positive emotions helps us undo negative effects of stress.
Here are “Five Tips” for all Tartans on capturing the silver linings:
- Savor the small moments. Although we are social distancing at home, we can still savor the smell of coffee, a warm shower, a hug from a loved one, walking or biking with our families.
- Strengthen your connections. Look at social distancing as a wonderful opportunity to spend time with the ones we love whether it is in person in your home or reaching out by phone or video chat.
- Look for opportunities to help others. People are looking for opportunities to help others whether that is your neighbor with meals or shopping for essentials, someone in need, or finding ways to support our front-line health care workers.
- Spend time with a hobby or learn something new. Spending time doing something that brings you pleasure which will produce dopamine, the feel-good hormone. Just as important, learning a new skill produces new connections in your brain to improve cognitive function.
- Lean into the slower pace of life. It seems like life came to screeching halt, and that poses discomfort when we are used to our routines and a fast pace. Slowing down gives us a break from the fight or flight state of mind that we have become accustomed to, especially amid this current climate.
Take care and be well, Tartans!
St. Margaret’s Episcopal School
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