With so many activities going on for students, it is not surprising so many report feeling stressed. One of the Youth Advisory Board (YAB) sub groups has been focusing on student stress. The whole YAB group decided to integrate a de-stress activity into one of their meetings.
They brought in Kay Glidden, from Region 3, to lead mindfulness training. Mindfulness is maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment. The training helps with decision-making, stress, anxiety, depression, focus, and also has many other health benefits.
The YAB group practices mindfulness during a two hour training with Kay Glidden. The whole group decided they will continue to practice mindfulness to help with daily stress.
The youth practiced mindfulness and meditation techniques and learned how to use them in their daily lives. The YAB students discussed how they could organize bringing Glidden or a form of mindfulness training into the schools to teach the techniques they used to their peers.
Meanwhile, the substance abuse prevention group has created a website with resources that students will be able to use. “We wanted to create a resource that students will think is cool and actually want to go to get information,” said YAB member Evan Palmer. The students are creating the whole website themselves from design to information gathering.
The school spirit group, has been working to create a way to get school spirit competitions into at least on school next year. The students feel like there is not enough support for all the activities that go on at school. They are creating a punch card system to encourage all students to attend as many activities as they can to support their peers.
Samantha Homan and Mason Casper work on creating a substance abuse prevention resources list. The group is making a website from a “student” perspective.
“The YAB members have been working very hard this year. It has been great to work with such a great group. They have learned about time management this year. It is importnat to learn how long it takes to get an idea from conception to action. This skill will help them throughout life, not just in high school,” said Josh Arias, Youth Coordinator.