Blog Archives

Summer Time and the Living is Easy!

5/24/2018

It's been a long, busy year but you've survived and now you get to reap the benefits of all your hard work! The number one way to fully bask in the enjoyment of all your hard work is to be PRESENT or MINDFUL of each moment. Pro Tip: if you find that you are feeling anxious you are probably thinking too far into the future. If you find that you are feeling sad or upset, you are probably thinking about something in the past. If you are in the PRESENT moment, with the exception of if you've just stubbed your toe, you're probably doing JUST FINE!

Make sure while you are enjoying that family vacation or just family dinner that you are taking time to be in the moment. Take in the people, the visual surroundings, the sounds, the smells. Take a mental snapshot of the moment and then take a big deep breath and continue into the moment! Not only will your gratitude for the moment expand your happiness of the moment but you'll then reap the health benefits of having been mindful! There's literally NO down side to taking, hopefully several, mindful moments!!

If you're looking for some summer reading please browse back through old blog entries - it was an informative year!

Additionally, you can watch or listen to all old Speaker Series here!

Next year the Challenge Success student club will be hosting Coffee with the Students for parents. This will be a time for parents to come and hear the students' perspective on a variety of topics. If you have topic suggestions, please email kbryant@eanesisd.net

We hope that y'all enjoy your summer to the fullest! And as always...

Stay Healthy, Chaps!
Kristi and Katie

Prom, Prom, Prom, Prom, Prooooom!

5/17/2018

Here's hoping some of y'all read that title to the same little jingle that was in my head when I wrote it!

Prom is a big rite of passage and important Prom actually looks so much different now than it did when we were in school. Some kids never even make it to the actual dance but instead do all the dress up, photos, and go to a fancy dinner and then straight to the "after party". We wanted all parents to feel prepared for what to expect this weekend and to hopefully have this weekend but a fun but SAFE weekend for everyone!

Please revisit some of our older blog posts for these important tips!

Prom - Where Conversation Is Key!
Prom Six Step Survival Guide!
Prom Time!

Stay Safe and Healthy, Chaps!
-Kristi Waidhofer

AP and STAAR Exams

5/10/2018

It's been a busy week around here and this pace will continue through the final three weeks. We thought we'd revisit a couple blogs about the importance of managing stress and focusing on good self-care and sleep during this busy time!

ANXIETY, STRESS, WORRIES - OH MY!

APS AND MINDFULNESS?!

WHAT PARENTS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT STRESS IN HIGH SCHOOL

REVISITING COURSE SELECTION, APS, AND MINDFULNESS

Stay Healthy, Chaps!
-Kristi Waidhofer

May is national mental health month!

5/3/2018

Did you know that 1 in 5 Americans are affected by a mental health condition? Furthermore, did you know that the best way to intervene and support those with a mental health condition is just by having a conversation? The perks of a conversation not only allow someone to know they are not alone, that they are seen by their peers, but it also helps to de-stigmatize mental health when it becomes a part of our every day conversation!

High school is the prime time for a mental health condition to begin to show.

Additionally, we the same way everyone has physical health, we ALL have mental health. And the same way someone may have diabetes or Crohn's disease, they may have a mental health condition. However, some mental health conditions are more common than some of "common" physical health conditions.

Suicide is currently the 2nd leading cause of death in adolescents. That being said, 90% of people (adolescents and adults combined) who attempt suicide actually do survive. While that is good news, it also really paints a picture as to how many people are struggling with mental health conditions.

You can help prevent suicide by looking for these sign:
• Feeling sad or hopeless
• Loss of interest in social and regular activities
• Major changes in weight or appetite
• Sleeping too little or too much
• Pulling away from friends or family
• Not able to focus or think clearly
• Drug and alcohol use
• Giving away things they love

How You Can Help Someone Thinking About Suicide:
1. Believe what they say. Take words and actions seriously.
2. Listen and don’t judge.
3. Ask about thoughts or plans for suicide.
4. Get help. Do not leave them alone until help is available.

Our Community Resources page is full of local and national support pages for all kinds of mental health needs.

We encourage everyone to print this card and carry it with them at all times. We would also urge you to pull out your cell phone right now and save:

1-800-273-TALK (8255). Save a Number, Save a Life!

Crisis Text Line - TEXT “START” TO 741-741

Local Resources -
Austin Travis County Integral Care - Mobile Crisis Outreach Team (MCOT) -
512-472-HELP (4357)
911 or any Emergency Department

And remember, that a large part of intervention begins with a simple conversation!

Stay Healthy, Chaps!
-Kristi Waidhofer

The contents of the Healthy Chaps site, including text, graphics, images, and other material are for informational purposes only. Nothing contained in this site is or should be considered or used as a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Never disregard medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider or delay seeking it because of something you have read on the Internet, including on the Healthy Chaps site. We urge you to seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health condition. In case of emergency, please call your doctor or 911 immediately.

Summer Time and the Living is Easy!

Prom, Prom, Prom, Prom, Prooooom!

AP and STAAR Exams

May is national mental health month!

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