Have you ever felt the soul-crushing burden of stress dragging your life through the mud? Ever had your precious time dwindled away at the hands of stress, while you are left powerless and alone? Well all this pain and anguish can be resolved in an instant; and all it takes is a change in the way we think. This alteration in brain chemistry is defined as mindfulness, the ability to obtain momentary awareness and recognition of our thoughts and feelings. Mindfulness is the key to defeating stress before it defeats you. Mindfulness is something all of us need in our lives right now and practising it can help all of us to lead a better life.
We should be terrified of stress. Stress is a psychological epidemic that is sweeping the nation, infecting the developing minds of the youth. It is a leading cause for mental illnesses at a young age and is killing people’s motivation and desire to be their best selves. Stress is causing you and your kids to fall short in life. As a student, I have experienced the overwhelming feeling of stress firsthand. The crushing, immense pressure to create a future for ourselves, while juggling assignments and friendships. Sadly, stress has become a regular component of school life. According to a shocking study from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, teenagers are 20% more susceptible to intense psychological stress than adults. This highlights that no one is truly safe from the crippling and overwhelming pressure of mental illness. But pressure makes diamonds, and there is a light at the end of a tunnel. Parents, students, now is the time to change the way we think.
How can I alleviate my stress? The answer is as simple as one word: Mindfulness. Mindfulness is the human superpower to be conscious and fully aware of our thoughts and feelings as they occur. Mindfulness is a form of meditation used to harness the boundless potential of our emotions. It can be achieved by stopping, breathing, and thinking about how we will react to something before we do, slowing down and relaxing your thought process and blocking out any rash decisions. According to the University of Washington, mindfulness can help to reduce intense stress responses entirely. They also say it improves brain function, adding clarity to whatever is causing you stress. Mindfulness is a raft, keeping us afloat while sailing the sea of stress.
Next time you're out and about and you feel your stress building, just slow down and breathe. If you don't leave room in your life for mindfulness, it’s easy for stress to take control. If even for a few seconds, take some time off to think about your surroundings. It’s up to all of us to use mindfulness as a launchpad into a brighter, more peaceful future for humanity. So, heal your mind, unlock inner peace and conquer stress, because our true power lies in serenity.
- By Rupert Irwin - Year 9 TGS student
References
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021, August 12). First insights from the National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing, 2020-21 | Australian Bureau of Statistics. Www.abs.gov.au. https://www.abs.gov.au/article...
Kabat-Zinn, J. (2019). Mindfulness Definition | What Is Mindfulness. Greater Good. https://greatergood.berkeley.e...
Silverman, A. (2017). How to Reduce Stress Through Mindfulness | Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Aging With Physical Disabilities. Agerrtc.washington.edu. https://agerrtc.washington.edu...
Latest Blog
Crushing it at Cricket and Conveying Culture
He explains that he’s named after Yarramundi, a respected and influential leader of the Richmond tribes of the Dharagnora (Hawkesbury-Nepean region of New South Wales) and a respected elder of the Boorooberongal clan of the Dharug people. “I’m proud of my culture and excited to have just started learning Dharug Dalang as part of the language revitalisation with my family.” During one week late last year he juggled exams, balanced representative cricket in Mackay with being the emcee of the…
Disappointment: A Necessary Part of School Life
Schools are inherently hopeful and happy places. Their natural focus on growth, connectedness and preparing youth for a better future creates an optimistic atmosphere in which ambitions are born. These positive emotions and experiences lay the foundation for our expectations and while these can be highly motivating, they come with a catch: the greater our expectations, the greater the disappointments, too. Disappointment is not a popular feeling. Rightly so, not many of us wish to feel sad,…
Boys and Belonging at TGS
As a boarding master of adolescent boys, my role fundamentally concerns pastoral wellbeing and character development to support a successful academic journey. A positive sense of belonging — where boarders feel safe, supported and heard — is fundamental to an effective boarding environment. As such, I felt there was a distinct connection between the International Boys’ Schools Coalition’s (IBSC) theme for the 2024–25 Action Research Cohort, “Boys and Belonging” and what I believe is best…
Fostering Growth and Resilience
This philosophy is vividly demonstrated through our Junior School MATES program, an initiative designed to equip boys from Prep to Year 6 with the skills they need to thrive both in and out of the classroom. Year 6 leader Hugo Seaby epitomises what the program is all about. As a leader in Stephens House, he explains its importance: “It’s about spending time with the younger boys and learning about honesty, respect, kindness and other attributes like that.” He said that it’s helpful for the…
Preparing for the Future of Work
For months I have been watching the earthworks being undertaken ahead of construction for the new DET Centre at Toowoomba Grammar School with interest. It is hard to miss, given that the Headmaster’s residence, our family home, is right next to the building site. The vibrations can be unsettling, and the noises are constant. However, each day reminds me of the important work underway to secure a part of the School’s future. Soon, all boys at TGS will have the opportunity to immerse themselves…
“Watch your character, it becomes your destiny.”
Whether it was American essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson, Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu, or even UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s father who coined the phrase “watch your character, it becomes your destiny,” it was Dr Linda Evans who gave it real relevance to a theatre full of students, staff and families. After a decade and a half in charge of Toowoomba’s respected Fairholme College as Principal and some 22 years in total on staff, Dr Evans will leave the institution she has led and loved by…
Preparation for Boarding: Practical Tips and Tricks
In fact, I’ve coined the phrase “the clearer the runway, the smoother the landing” as a neat summary of this observation. A great deal of boarding experience can be initiated at home in the weeks and months leading up to your son’s departure, helping him prepare psychologically and logistically for his upcoming journey. At TGS, we acknowledge that the boarding journey for boys and families starts long before they enter the house in late January. In the mind of a new boarder and their family,…
Exploring the Role of Neuroscience in Supporting Teenage Boys
Recent insights from neuroscience reveal that the teenage brain undergoes significant changes, particularly in the frontal lobe, which is essential for decision-making, impulse control and emotional regulation. By leveraging this knowledge, we can create supportive environments that guide our boys through the complexities of their teenage years.The Prefrontal Cortex The prefrontal cortex, located in the frontal lobe, is one of the last areas of the brain to mature, significantly impacting…
Wellbeing and Character Development Program — Benefiting Students and Staff Alike
In 2024, the School re-established the Head of Pastoral Care position. The role will be pivotal in supporting all staff to foster a supportive and nurturing environment at Toowoomba Grammar School. Integral to the role’s success is the parallel expansion of the Wellbeing and Character Development (WCD) program to yield multifaceted benefits for both staff and students. For staff, the Head of Pastoral Care provides guidance, support and resources, aiding in their efforts to address students’…
