Talking About Mental Health: January 2019
Throughout the school year, UGDSB Mental Health and Addiction Lead Jenny Marino shares tips and resources for improving our mental health and well-being. Additional mental health resources for students and parents/guardians can be found on the board website.
Did you know that taking a 20 minute walk can boost your memory and brain power? Getting outside reduces stress, improves sleep and creates feelings of liveliness and energy. Even in the cold weather it is important to find time to get outdoors – even if just for brief amounts of time.
If you want your family:
- To be less stressed
- To be happier
- To be more resilient
- To feel better about themselves
- To have increased attention
- To have a better ability to learn
Then GO OUTSIDE! Take your kids outside! Enjoy and be part of nature.
One study showed that even 5 minutes in nature improves our mood. 5 minutes! We all can take 5 minutes (or more if you can) to go outside and enjoy nature.
Go for a walk or a ski or a skate or a run. Head for the woods. Go bird-watching. Follow tracks in the snow. Watch the sunrise or the sunset. Watch the clouds drift by. Visit a river or lake or pond. Listen for all the sounds of nature. Take in the smells. Notice all the colours and textures. Notice the light as the days get longer.
If you are not sure where to go, check out the links below for lots of great parks in our area:
- http://guelph.ca/living/recreation/parks/
- http://www.wellington.ca/en/discover/trailsandforests.asp?hdnContent=
- https://www.grandriver.ca/en/grand-river-parks.aspx
- http://headwaters.ca/experience/parks-conservation-areas/
- https://www.uoguelph.ca/arboretum/
Have a mentally healthy 2019.
Jenny Marino is the Mental Health Lead for Upper Grand District School Board
Follow Jenny on Instagram @ugdsb_mental_health