January in the Wellness Center
Happy New Year Cowboys and Cowboy Families,
Hope you enjoyed your winter break and are refreshed and rejuvenated to start 2020 and finish this school year strong.
As we embark on a new decade I challenge us to reflect on our thought processes and start this year in a positive mindset so that we can manage and control our health and well-being. I challenge you this year to start each day with 2 simple questions to yourself.
- What am I most grateful for in my life?
- What am I most looking forward to?
Practicing micro-strategies of gratitude and optimism on a daily basis matters.Research shows how much gratitude, optimism and hope can literally change our brain structures! Research shows that grateful people are physically healthier and sleep better (Emmons & McCollough, 2003)- who doesn’t want that! Practicing gratitude and optimism empowers us during times of stress and instills a sense of control (Dweck, 2009). Perhaps this is why demonstrating gratitude reduces aggression in people. Focusing on gratitude stimulates the hypothalamus part of our brain (which helps to regulate stress) and the vental tegmental (part of the brain’s reward and pleasure system).
Asking ourselves these 2 simple questions daily allows us to look at life through a different lens, despite the continuous stressors we all face. Try it!
In January, Caring 4 Cowboys Wellness Center will be having every Thursday dedicated to any student or staff member who is interested in practicing these micro-strategies. Every Thursday during lunch, all are welcome to create gratitude cards to reflect and express “what you are most grateful for” and/or vision boards to express “what you are looking forward to” this year.
We will continue to host Monday Morning Meditation as research continues to show positive benefits of meditating, even for 5 minutes.
We will also be hosting Dog Therapy Day every Tuesday at lunch. Come check out our friendly pups and how much animals can positively alter our mood.
Every Friday in the Wellness Center Lawn, we will have outdoor games for anyone interested in a friendly match of cornhole, chess, Jenga and Frisbee toss.
Students: Join us in our January events and remember, if you are feeling down, stressed or need to talk to a counselor, reach out to us. Come in to request an appointment or scan the QR code attached to our flyers posted all around campus and in every classroom. We are here for you!
Cheers to a new decade of connection, change and a positive mindset!
Warmly,
Sarah Gilberts
Canyon Wellness Coordinator
