Wellness Wednesday – 6 May 2020

Volume 1 Issue 2
Wednesday, 6 May 2020

Let’s Go (Joyfully) Crazy

Greetings UWCEA Community,

Time truly flies, especially when you’re having fun, and today that is absolutely the case. It has already been a week since our inaugural issue of this Wellness Wednesday e-newsletter, and we hope you were able to take a pause on Friday and continue to find ways to make the most of this time. Today, we are enjoying a Wacky Wellness Wednesday. We hope that amid all of the issues occurring in the world today, you take some time to do something that brings you joy and puts a smile on your face.

Thank you to those of you who are accessing the COVID-19 Counselor Resources that we continue to update as new information becomes available. If there is anything specific that you would like us to include in the document, please feel free to email either of us via our addresses at the top of the document.

One event that we want to make sure you are aware of is the parent seminar that is occurring today titled Staying Sane With Your Kids In Virtual School. Although this event takes place at 11:00 AM EAT, if you register by clicking here, you can receive the recording when it is available if you are not able to attend live.

As we continue to explore mindful strategies throughout the month, it is important to note that this Mental Health Awareness Month in the United States (World Mental Health Day is 8 October). Many people are currently having a challenging time maintaining their mental health as the uncertainty and constant barrage of news stories continues. At times like this, it is essential that we take a moment to better understand ourselves and how we cope in difficult times. In addition, it is vital to be aware that others may not be handling this situation well due to underlying diagnosed mental illnesses. They need our compassion and the opportunity to connect to proper help during these challenging times for all. In the COVID-19 Counselor resources, you will find a list of online counseling resources that can be accessed if local professionals are not available. If you have questions about the difference between a mental health concern and the need for professional assistance for a possible mental illness, this video and webpage from the National Alliance on Mental Illness is a good place to start.

Due to this unsettling time, it is helpful to utilize tools to assist with maintaining calm and serenity in order to continue to thrive. Recently, a school counseling team in California put together an amazing resource full of tools you can use to create calm in the midst of this temporary situation. Visit the Virtual Calming Room if you need a moment to relax and regroup.

This quote by Albert Einstein is an example of the mindset that will help each of us build our resilience and coping skills through this challenging time. Some of our students continue to practice these skills in creative ways. Here are the latest examples:

Reuben Evans (P6) has created this fabulous poster for his PYP Exhibition that provides some guidance on ways to persevere and thrive during this global phenomenon. 

Peter Kiama (D1) and his friend have recently released the second episode of their Random Acts of Kindness Show.

Please continue to share ways that you are maintaining your mental health and well-being within the school and your local community. Together, we can thrive through this experience, and come out of this stronger and more creative than ever before.

Take care and continue to persevere,

Your UWCEA Wellbeing Committee