J is for Journal (Secondary)
Hello there Shakespeare ;)
The combination of our analytical and creative side of our brains working together when we decide to write something on a piece of paper, can help to clear our heads, help us see our thoughts, feelings & behaviours, help to boost our mood and improve our working memory. When we add in activities such as gratitude, we also super-charge the effect of Journalling, what’s not to like!
Put Pen to Paper!
Here’s some other, easy ways to kick-start your Journalling:
1. Get started by writing in the morning or when you first wake up - start by writing about where you are in your life just now. Discover your writing voice & just write - for 5-10 minutes - write anything and everything, don’t judge your writing! Write your goals, write your challenges, write what you’re thinking and feeling - just write! This helps us see both the positives and the negatives in situations & helps us learn from situations
2. Spend some time describing an experience where you felt really connected with someone - did they help you, perhaps you helped them? Did you go through something together or achieve success with them? When we feel connected, it boosts our resilience, it reminds us we’re not alone
3. Spend some time each week writing about all the successes that have happened during the week, the people & parts of your life that you’re grateful for. Write about people that you admire, pop in inspiring quotes that you see or lyrics from your favourite songs or movies. This is your journal, for your eyes only, write about what’s important to you!
Final take
When we journal, it’s useful to remember the WRITE acronym:
W - think about what’s going on in your life. What do you want to write about?
R - reflect on it. Pause, take a few breaths and focus. Start with ‘I’ statements and aim to stay in the present tense
I - investigate thoughts & feelings, be honest, keep going!
T - time yourself. Aim to write for at least 5mins.
E - exit your writing. Read it, reflect on it. Write any actions or steps you want to take next
“Research around the impact of journalling shows us that it connects both our right & our left brains - our analytical, rational side and our creative, emotional side.”
The not-so-small small print
There is none! Simply return to this part of the website daily to get the next part of this program. No payment or subscription required. This is a resource we are sharing with all of you through the website and aiming to help our youngsters, in the various stages of their lives. This program contains information and practices that are aimed for two different age groups and we intend to mostly post the primary level information in the morning and the secondary level in the afternoon. Please leave us a comment and let us know how you are getting on or get in touch if you require additional support. If you want to be notified of new content, courses and free resources subscribe to our mailing list.
Z is for Zzzzzz’s. Summer Resilience Program Final Entry (Secondary) with thanks to Karen Bluth, to the Sleep Foundation & the Greater Good Science Centre at UCLA Berkeley Youth for their ‘zzzzz’ advice & to Education Scotland for their inspiration for this programme x