One of the 5 steps of mental health first aid is to Encourage self help strategies; the E in A.L.G.E.E. Thank you Sue for this.
“Just had a student who has found that writing poetry is a great release of his frustrating emotions connected with his disability. He popped in to my classroom, said an idea had come to him, he grabbed a piece of paper and has just returned with a very thoughtful piece of writing. In his words, it helps him unload. I am encouraging him to keep them in a book and may make a great 'Collection' if he chooses”.
This is something i have always reccommended to others if they are feeling stressed, upset, depressed etc, as i find it works so well for me - I have always found writing down how you are feeling in diary-form, poetry, prose etc, to be most thereputic and often is of great de-stressing benefit.
ReplyDeleteIt does not necessarily make you feel completely better straight away but it is a process that can really help to get your thoughts in order/helps you make more sense of what it is you are thinking & feeling.
Over time or even straight away in some cases, this process, through hindsight (looking back at what you have written previously)can lead to greater insight & understanding of;
* Yourself and how your mind works/how you react to situations
* What your stress-triggers are, even how to avoid them
* Your coping mechanisms (or lack of them)
* How you have dealt with situations in the past, & how/what you have learned from past experience.
Whatever your reasons for putting your thoughts & feelings on paper, I cannot recommend and encourage it highly enough. I'm sure any who do will find it of great benefit, even comfort.
Elizabeth thank you so much for this comment. Some how I think putting emotional burdens onto paper reduces if only a little the emotional weight on your heart. I am happy you have a voice here; I think you will help many people with your insights.
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