Time to THINK

Mental Health Matters!
By Jennifer Cruze, MSW, LICSW, Mental Health Counselor with Swedish

Published in WHS "E-News from the Principal" February 14, 2020

 Time to THINK

Second semester is well on its way now. Many teachers and students are reflecting on first semester and thinking about what they learned, and how they can apply it to this semester. Certain activities are ending and others are beginning. However, some people are finding that even though their schedule is “supposed” to be lighter, they are still just as, if not more, stressed than they were previously.

Regardless of our schedules, there is some extent to which we choose our stress levels. Allowing activities to crowd our minds and people and expectations to overwhelm us increases our stress. People who have a lot going on and don’t feel stressed don’t let themselves become slaves to the stress. They follow the THINKing habits below. Let’s mimic them and make a commitment to choose less stress.

  1. THINK Backwards: Reflect on how previous generations have put up with more challenging times and that overall life is easier and better for our generation.
  2. THINK Big Picture: Remember what really matters. Sometimes we get stressed over things that aren’t worth the energy. See beyond your immediate situation.
  3. THINK and Thank: Count your blessings. Gratitude is almost always an antidote for stress and anxiety. Stress occurs when we’re overwhelmed by our current circumstances; conversely, gratitude preoccupies us with what’s right, not wrong.
  4. THINK Long Term: Twenty years from now, will this issue even matter? Should it cause me stress? If so, begin working on solutions. If not, stop worrying and get on to things that do matter.
  5. THINK Making Projects an Adventure: When you get bogged down and begin stressing over challenges, turn them into a game. Make the day an adventure to be lived out and conquered, rather than something to be dreaded.

It’s your turn to really think. Your mind holds an endless well of ideas and creative solutions. You just have to open it.

"The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another." – William James

If you or a loved one are in crisis, call the Suicide Prevention Line at 800-273-TALK (8255) or text CONNECT to 741741.