I ever led was for 90 Year 6 children just before their SATS. I know it was good because it felt like a TED Talk, received by all the adults listening too. So here it is!
I started by talking about growth. We cannot stay the same throughout our lives – can you imagine only knowing what you knew as a baby? No, we are built to learn and grow. But, there is a pace we need to take to ensure growth is healthy. I stretched some blu-tac at this point, making the point that if we try and take on too much too quickly we will…snap.
So, how do we make sure we keep ourselves grounded? I have 5 steps.
- Breathe. It sounds so simple, but when we focus on our breathing, we control our system. Adrenaline makes our heart race, which sends a message to our brain that we are in danger. If we can’t take action to release the adrenaline through movement then we can breathe. Slowly and deeply. In, 2, 3, 4…out 2, 3, 4. A longer out breath will slow us down even more. Take a minute and breathe.
- Smile. Again, sounds simple and a bit mad, however, actions influence our mood. We know our mood influences our actions – we feel sad so we cry, we feel happy so we smile. Try tricking your brain by doing the action first. Smile. And keep smiling until it becomes a real smile. Give your brain a minute to release the happy hormones and lift your mood.
- Talk to yourself. Pay attention to what your brain is telling you. Is it helpful? Is it kind? Possibly not. What would be helpful to tell yourself in these moments? What would you tell a friend? Try things like “You’re ok.”, “I can do this.” Or “Just take a minute, I don’t have to get this first time.” Find a mantra, tell yourself what you need to hear.
- Talk to others. It is so easy to feel alone when we’re stressed and overwhelmed but we’re never completely alone. Reach out, you’d be surprised how many other people are struggling. It really helps knowing that someone else is finding the same things tricky. It can also be a good distraction, talking about something else for a bit. Connect.
- Find your thing. Do you love to sing? Run? Play football? It is so easy to become all consumed by the stressful thing so what brings you joy? Make time for it, remember who you are as a whole person. You don’t even have to be good at it, you just have to enjoy it.
Take 5. Don’t let yourself go under when things are challenging you. Things will pass, strength comes from experience and the habits you develop in yourself. Growth is part of life, don’t fear it.
Abi Kennedy Writes 