June 2023 – Happy Schools

Is It Good Or Bad

June 29, 2023

As humans, we have a tendency to categorise things as either good or bad. This cognitive bias is deeply ingrained in us and affects our daily lives in various ways. We tend to judge events, experiences and people based on this binary thinking, which can be limiting and counterproductive. It is not helpful to judge situations as good or bad as this can affect our mental and emotional wellbeing. Judging situations as good or bad can create unnecessary stress and anxiety. When we label a situation as bad, we tend to focus on the negative aspects of it and ruminate over it. This can lead to feelings of hopelessness, helplessness and despair, which can affect our mental health. On the…

What Makes Us Happy?

June 22, 2023

Stevef

Engagement

What does HAPPINESS mean to you? Would more money make you happier? … more job satisfaction? … more family time? … a new car? … more travel opportunities? What would make you happier? Social and brain scientists have been able to ascertain the things that make us happy – but to get there we need to stop our quest for status and stop buying unnecessary possessions. Scientists at the University of Wisconsin have used CT scans to identify the most active part of the brain during various moods. The most active part of the brain when we are distressed are the amygdala and the right frontal cortex. However, when we are in a positive mood those areas of the brain…

Promoting Resilience in the Teaching Profession

June 16, 2023

Stevef

Resilience

Teachers and other staff who work in schools are faced with many challenges on a daily basis. From dealing with difficult students and parents, to managing a heavy workload and meeting high expectations. It can be easy to become overwhelmed. Resilience, the ability to bounce back from adversity, is a critical skill to develop. One way to promote resilience is through self-care. This includes taking care of your physical, emotional and mental well-being. This may mean setting aside time each day for exercise, eating well, getting enough sleep and practicing relaxation techniques such as meditation, yoga or deep breathing to slow our minds. It’s also important to make time for activities you enjoy, such as reading, spending time with friends…

Working with Helicopter Parents

June 8, 2023

Stevef

Communication

Dealing with overprotective parents can be challenging. While it is understandable that parents want to ensure the safety and well-being of their children, it can sometimes lead to micromanagement and overprotective parenting that has become known as helicopter parenting. According to author Hara Estroff Marano, “Today’s parents are not just helicopter parents…they are jet-powered turbo attack models.” Here are some tips on how to handle such parents. Set clear boundaries: As a teacher, it is important to establish boundaries with parents early on. Clearly communicate what your expectations are for parent-teacher communication and involvement in the classroom. This includes advising them of the best way to contact you, setting reasonable expectations about response times and specifying when it is appropriate…

Perfectionism – What’s it costing you?

June 1, 2023

Stevef

Resilience

A large number of staff who work in schools are parents. Working parents today (especially mums) feel enormous pressure to achieve: happy and contented children ✓ amazing relationships ✓ well-nourished family ✓ clean and tidy home ✓ well cared for extended family ✓ ‘Awesome’ kids’ parties ✓ fit, healthy, vibrant and immaculately dressed ✓ gorgeous home ✓ financial security ✓ and the list is endless. Trying to keep all these balls in the air ‘perfectly’ all the time is contributing to the epidemic of stress, anxiety and depression in high functioning parents. What’s so great about being ‘perfect’? It hides the fear. Fear of uncertainty. Brene Brown says that we perfect ourselves and our children to avoid shame or blame,…