November 2019
We will be focusing on gratitude this month for our guidance lessons. We will be passing out gratitude journals for students to write what they are thankful for during our lessons. Research has determined that a daily journal has proven to have an increase in determination, attention, enthusiasm and energy. Gratitude is proven to reshape neural pathways, leading to an increase of oxytocin (a hormone important to bonding (Korb, 2012).
There are many things that you can do at home that can foster positive energy as well:
-Keep a journal and log things that you are grateful for
-Focus on positive energy
-Hand write letters
For more information, visit: (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/prefrontal-nudity/201211/the-grateful-brain).
We will be participating in the The Gratitude Challenge. Parents, we invite you to join us!
This is how you start:
1. Open a notebook, grab a post-it, whatever you prefer, and a pen.
2. Write down 3 things you're grateful for. As you write them, give yourself a moment to really focus on each thing, like you're savoring something delicious. They can be super simple--and nothing is too small. For example: 1. Favorite coffee this AM 2. Easy commute home 3. Funny chat with my brother
3. Tomorrow, do it again. But you can't list your family members by name over and over and call it a day. You have to write different things--this is how you learn to flex your gratitude muscle.
4. Every day, review the list from the day before. And at the end of the week, read them all. It's guaranteed to make you think of your week differently. Ask yourself, how do you feel when you review all these lists? Pretty good, I bet!
5. Do it again.
6. And again. For 21 days.