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...