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
Life After School
As children grow and develop, they participate in a range of new experiences, with the “journey” from birth to adulthood being shaped by several awaited and expected transitions. These transitions occur across a range of context and help us to evolve in new environments. It is important to note that transition is associated with a change, which is something that happens for all of us. The concept of transition involves how we process, manage, and respond to the change. As adults, we work hard…
TGS Artist in Residence - Ben Tupas
I’ve been following Toowoomba Grammar School’s exciting Artist-in-residence program for several years. After seeing fellow Toowoomba artists such as Catherine Parker, Alice Weinthal and Vincent Parisi taking up the opportunity and engaging in the program, I decided to apply in 2022 to continue the momentum of my own artist practice. With the four-week residency wrapping up at the end of October, and some time to reflect on the experience I can write that the experience was a valuable…
The Transition to Secondary School
Research shows us that the move from a primary school to a secondary school is one of the most significant life changes that our young men will face. You can help make the transition to Senior School smoother by ensuring that the boys attend the orientation days, practice packing their bags and getting their sports, music, and activities equipment ready. When asked about tips for the boys coming into Year 7, current Year 7 dayboy, Ollie Wells suggests boys should “Be organised. Pack the night…
Nothing is Impossible
Toowoomba Grammar School's Year 7C English has been studying 'Cool Runnings' to learn about how stories or movies based on real life aren't always completely true. Extremely fascinated by the topic, young student Harry Ryan took it upon himself to message (via LinkedIn) the bobsled driver, Mr Dudley Stokes - he responded! After a little communication between the two, Harry asked Mr Stokes if he could FaceTime him during an English lesson, to 'meet' his teacher Mr Paul Irwin and classmates…
Simple Acts of Kindness
Giving back to the community is an important value that Toowoomba Grammar School endeavours to instill in our boys. Year 12 student, Tumoana Strugnell is a shining example of how it costs nothing but our time to help others, especially as we move into the Festive season and the challenges of life seem heightened. I first became involved in community service when I was in Year 6, through my local primary school’s involvement on ANZAC Day and my parent’s involvement in local community events. I’m…
A Holistic Approach to our Boarders' Activities Program
A true education is about much more than just lessons in a classroom. It’s about providing experiences that challenge a child, physically and mentally. It’s about providing opportunities that build independence, resilience and that help develop their good character. Toowoomba Grammar School is proud to offer a broad and liberal education that stretches way beyond the walls of a classroom and equips our boys with the skills to flourish as an individual. We offer a diverse and engaging…
A Beginner's Guide to Manga
If your son has brought home a book with big eyed characters, and he seems to be reading backwards, chances are, he's discovered Manga. The Dent library has a Manga collection that would be the envy of many schools, with over 100 unique titles. It Is easily the most visited section in the library, over half of the top 100 titles borrowed this year are Manga! But what is Manga? Manga is an umbrella term for a variety of print comics and graphic novels originating from Japan. Unlike western…
A Safe, Welcoming and Joyous Community
Tell us about yourself My background, at least that associated with boarding and teaching, is long and varied with a number of different aspects leading to this chosen career path. For the most part, I was schooled in Canberra but had extended periods in Lesotho, Norfolk Island, and Samoa as a result of my father’s work in foreign aid. My schooling was quite disruptive, and I wasn’t a model student! I was always passionate about English; often distracting myself (amongst other things) immersed…
Facilitating Respect
Recently the 2022 TGS Prefect group spoke at the Headmaster’s Assembly about respecting individuality. But what does this mean? The foundations for a successful relationship with peers, family, co-workers, and others is framed and supported by a two-way street of respect. However, for this two-way street to be functional it is important to know that respect cannot be demanded, it can only be earned. Toowoomba Grammar School is no different and respect is nurtured in various forms such as in the…
