Mental Health Awareness Month
from Mrs. Klepper, K-5 School Counselor
May is Mental Health Awareness Month! Mental health is an important part of our overall health. Good mental health helps us to be our best, handle problems, be kind to ourselves and others, and enjoy life. It's important to remember that good mental health does NOT mean you are happy all of the time. Good mental health means that, when you are unhappy, stressed, angry, and worried, you are able to deal with those feelings in a positive way.
There are lots of things you and your child can do to promote their positive mental health. Starting with proactive measures can help keep their mind healthy. Things to encourage every day:
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Do at least one thing they enjoy Days can get busy! Kids may have school work, extracurriculars, chores, and more. It's important that they have time just for them each day. Doing something fun or relaxing can help keep your child mentally healthy.
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Eat healthy Eating good foods like fruits, veggies, and lean proteins can keep their bellies full and our minds sharp. It's all about that brian food!
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Get enough sleep Kids need about 9-11 hours of sleep each night. Their brains and bodies do a lot of growing and. healing while they sleep. Quality sleep can help them feel excited and confident about the day.
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Get enough exercise Exercise can make your child's body and mind feel their best. Encourage your child to get at least one hour of exercise each day.
Even with the proactive measures listed above, sometimes kids need an extra boost to feel like their "just right selves". Some strategies to help your child through strong emotions or tough challenges include:
- Challenging Negative thoughts: Replace negative thoughts with positive thoughts.
- Deep breathing: This helps clear our minds and calm our bodies.
- Talk it out: Talking to someone who is supportive and trustworthy can help.
- Get a hug: Hugs can release feel-good emotions in our brains. Hugging someone we love or a stuffed animal can help us feel better.
- Play with a friend or a pet: Hanging out with friends or. playing with your pet can help get your mind off of what is bothering you.
Not all of these strategies work for everyone. Each person is unique so different feel-better strategies may work for different people. Try some of the ones discussed or think of your own!
If your child is struggling with their mental and/or emotional health, you can also reach out to Mrs. Klepper (elementary school counselor) anytime by emailing cklepper@wahoowarriors.org or calling the school.
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