Positive steps to mental wellbeing Part 2
Aim of this lesson: How to not allow the emotional brain to overpower the rational brain.
Aim of last lesson: Find positive, longlasting coping strategies to deal with difficult emotions.
How would you describe mental wellbeing? Here’s what you said…
How healthy your mind is. Health for your brain When you treat yourself well
Feeling happy Feeling safe and happy about your surroundings
Managing your emotions in a positive way
A positive mindset Not worrying about the past or the future
In your opinion, what things can get in the way of mental wellbeing?
Here’s what you said…
What things cause stress or can get in the way of your mental health? insecurity
expectations
exams
Stress
anxiety addiction
goals
social media
appearance fitting in
Peer pressure
arguments at home bullying
workload
homework money Sleep deprived toxic relationships
loss
Your feedback is really useful and will be used in wholeschool decision making to support students and staff to achieve positive mental wellbeing.
What are the NHS 5 steps to wellbeing?
How many useful tips from last lesson can you remember?
Is the internet bad for your mental wellbeing? Not everyone on the internet has positive mental wellbeing. Ask yourself the question “Is this person I’m connecting with, or this information I am reading, going to help me to have positive mental wellbeing?”
If you feel alone, be brave and talk to someone.
All of these staff are specifically trained to keep you safe.
Be brave – talk to someone.
 Joining a club is a good way to connect with others.
Exercise is one of the most effective ways to improve your mental health.
Get off the tube or bus one stop earlier and walk. Plan extra time for this, though, so you’re not late for school.
Practise this relaxation technique. Breathe in for 7
Breathe out for 11
g n i s a e l e r s s re e. t s s is i h c t r exe Try
Try mu relax scle ing s a i n one you ll the at a r bo tim dy e.
Read and review a wellbeing book. See Ms Rothman in the LRC.
Why not give to charity instead of or as well as buying for Secret Santa.
Aim of this lesson: How to not allow the emotional brain to overpower the rational brain.
Last time we watched this 2 minute video of how our emotional brain fights with our rational brain and things we can do to take control. You can watch it again or skip to the next slide.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urug-OpmdPo
Our rational brain fights with our emotional brain.
Sometimes our emotional brain overpowers our rational brain but ‌ ‌there are things you can do to take control.
Being mindful means taking notice of the things around you, what you do, how you think, the decisions you make and how you live, making sure these are positive. The decisions we take directly affect our mental wellbeing.
Hurting others and/or hurting yourself. It might seem like a good idea at the time but the chances are it will only make you feel worse later.
Try to stay calm. Try to talk to someone. Distract yourself by keeping busy. Most importantly – remember, you are not a bad person!
Poor food and drink choices will have a negative impact on your health, including your mental health, as will taking drugs, drinking alcohol and smoking.
What do you know about energy drinks?
FACT: Energy drinks are unhealthy and should be avoided.
Research shows that energy drinks can cause… restlessness sleeplessness anxiety and panic attacks irritability nervousness headaches dizziness The high level of sugar causes a ‘spike’ followed by a ‘crash-like’ feeling.
Watch this video and summarise its key messages in two sentences. Stop video at 06:41 min
YouTube Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXjANz9r5F0
Your body belongs to you. Take care of it – it’s the only one you have.
What about drug use?
Comparison of pleasure receptors When a person takes drugs, the brain reacts by reducing the person’s pleasure receptors in the brain in an attempt to bring feelings back to a normal level. This is why someone who abuses drugs ends up feeling ‘flat’ or ‘low’ and unable to enjoy things which were previously enjoyable.
If you are taking drugs or are worried about someone who is, talk to someone on the safeguarding team or an adult you trust.
This website has lots of useful advice and information.
You can also visit the wellbeing section of the school website where we have posted some wellbeing resources and web links to help you.
How many hours sleep a night do you think you need for someone of your age?
Age 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Number of hours of sleep needed per night 9 hours 30 minutes 9 hours 30 minutes 9 hours 9 hours 9 hours 9 hours 9 hours 9 hours
Are you getting enough uninterrupted sleep?
Lack of sleep can create or contribute to the following: If you are on your phone late into the night and/or are waking up to reply to calls or messages, it’s time to get strict with yourself!! To switch your brain off, you need to switch your phone off!
Low mood Irritability Stress Anxiety Depression Poor concentration
Aim of this lesson: How to not allow your emotional brain to overpower your rational brain. What have you learned today about staying in control of your emotional brain?
List at least two things you can do to stop your emotional brain overpowering your rational brain?
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