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Gratitude...what is is good for?

11/24/2014

 
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With Thanksgiving approaching we will all soon be taking time to acknowledge what we are grateful for. It’s a lovely gesture and tradition but why do we do it? What is good about gratitude?

Webster’s defines gratitude as a feeling of appreciation or thanks; so essentially gratitude is the affirmation of goodness. This is important because while no one’s lives are perfect or stress free gratitude forces us to take the time to remember that there are good things in the world, gifts and benefits we’ve received. The second component to gratitude is acknowledging where the goodness comes from. This helps direct our focus outside of ourselves and see how we have been supported and affirmed by other people. The practice of gratitude helps to guard against taking things for granted and instead we see gifts in life as new and exciting.

Often we are such a forward thinking (I need to go to the grocery store or pack for that trip) or past thinking (I wish I had gone to that meeting) society that we miss the opportunity to stay in the present and relish on the good that has happened. Gratitude gives us a placeholder to celebrate the present. Furthermore, when we take the time to acknowledge the good in our lives – big or small – we are better equipped to block toxic and negative emotions. This in turn allows us to become more resistant to stress – and who doesn’t want to strengthen that skill? Finally, people who practice gratitude have a higher sense of self-worth and in today’s society (especially our children’s generation) when we are constantly comparing, competing, and trying to “keep up with the Jones’” being able to have a strong sense of self-worth is an excellent coping strategy.

So this Thanksgiving while you are taking the time to reflect on what you are grateful for – know that you are actually promoting positive changes psychologically, physically, and socially and perhaps you can just start pausing to reflect on what you are thankful for more often! 

-Kristi Waidhofer 

Latest on drug use....

11/21/2014

 
Here are some quick reads to get you up to date on some recent findings!

New Survey: Misuse and Abuse of Prescription Stimulants Becoming Normalized Behavior Among College Students, Young Adults
New Research Finds 20 Percent of College Students Abuse Prescription Stimulants (shorten version of link above)

Evidence Grows That Heavy Marijuana Use May Harm The Brain

What Drug Addiction Is Like (short animation) 


This is also posted under Good Reads! - Substance Use & Abuse

-Katie Bryant

what's trending - 

11/10/2014

 
Here are several short articles I have seen recently that I thought I’d share if share! 

I recently saw this article posted all over facebook 20 Things to Remember If You Love a Person with ADD.  We also recently had Linda Classen come present on Ten Ways To Make Behavior Management Plans Effective for Kids with ADD/ADHD.  She gave such great information that I wish all parents and staff could have heard her present. 

What Happens When A Teacher Spends 2 Days As A Student – Boy, I can relate!

Why Kelly Ripa Doesn't Care That Her Teen Daughter Doesn't Like Her – is a quick reminder of our role as a parent and not our child’s friend.

Re-Thinking Discipline: Alternatives to Time-Out, Yelling, and Spanking – While this may target families with younger than high school, I always enjoy reading what the “experts” are saying and trying to see what can be used within my family.

The Worst Apps for Kids – Just when I thought I knew them all…  There are several on here that I have never heard of!

7 Essential Life Skills for High Schoolers to Build Before College – Always a good reminder…  I wonder how many of our students can really do all 7 on their own?!

I also liked the 10 Tips College Freshmen Should Know!

Teens and Wax: A Potent Form of Marijuana – What will they come up with next??


Great article on A Teen Takes On Bullying by Self-Publishing

We could all use more sleep! - Building Better Athletes With More Sleep

This is very interesting about girls and social media –
The Secret Language of Girls on Instagram


-Katie Bryant

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