Virtual Counseling and Wellness Resources

The following tips for managing prolonged periods of stress can be used personally or as a guide for helping your students. 

• DEVELOP A ROUTINE. Don’t use these strange circumstances as an excuse for a free-for-all. We all take comfort in routine and structure, especially students. Some things have been upended, but with intention and foresight, you can implement a routine for your and your student  that will support everyone’s mental and physical health.
• SPEND TIME OUTSIDE. We’ve been told to stay at home, but not necessarily IN our home.  Fresh air and Vitamin D are critical to mental health. It’s also important to take a break from the screen, whether that is a  video game, the news, or Netflix, to allow your body and mind to refresh and reset.
• PRACTICE MINDFULNESS. Mindfulness practices help people of every age effectively manage stress and anxiety, rest more fully, and feel their best. Beginners of all ages might try the app headspace or the book You Are Here by Thich Nhat Hanh.
• BE TOGETHER (VIRTUALLY). We’re social animals and being separated from the people we care about can take a significant emotional toll on us. Conversely, many a study has proven the positive health benefits of laughter, even sharing a smile with a friend. And, luckily, today’s technology allows us to be together even when we’re apart.  Encourage your student to leverage it creatively, hang out with friends, visit with grandparents, and keep those connections going.
• ELEVATE YOUR HEART RATE (IN A GOOD WAY). There’s plenty of evidence that physical exercise supports mental health. It’s more important than ever to break a sweat. Exercise helps us, and especially young people, manage and process cortisol.
• BE HONEST. This can be tough for a lot of us, adults too. Be honest with yourself and your student about how you’re doing and encourage them to do the same. They learn so much by observing us, including how to manage stress, when to lean on one another, and ask for help.

FITNESS APPS:

• Down Dog
• Daily Workout
• PSC Fitness
  • As one of our fitness offerings during remote learning, we have partnered with Perseverance Strength and Conditioning (PSC) to offer you free access to movement, sustenance, and mindfulness practices.  Please visit this link to register for their online portal, The Quarantine Club, where you can access daily workouts to meet your movement goals and connect with others who are doing the same.

MINDFULNESS APPS:

• Headspace
• Calm

• Episode 1: Monday, March 30, 2020
• Episode 2: Monday, April 6, 2020
• Episode 3: Monday, April 13, 2020
• Episode 4: Monday, April 20, 2020

View the slides from the presentation

View additional resources