I grew up in a family who valued getting out into nature. My parents met while participating in the backcountry ski patrol and ski touring clubs in Washington State. I like to joke that if it were not for the outdoors, I might not exist. Rain, snow, or shine, my brother and I were taken…
Opening the Door
Over the last several weeks, AAS students across all 3 divisions have been learning about topics related to Health and Wellness. In the Middle School, this unit is known more informally as Sex Ed. For some of our readers, those words may conjure up awkward teenage memories of bananas and condoms. We have enjoyed creating…
Wellbeing at University
Every few weeks the counselors at AAS write an article on the theme of “Wellbeing”. As the university counselor at AAS, it makes sense that I write about a wellness theme that relates to university. First, we should establish what “wellness” means. Wellness is “the act of practicing healthy habits on a daily basis to…
Easing Into the Post-Holiday Season
While some are feeling the post-holiday blues, I am in introverted bliss. Sure, I miss the holiday decorations, Christmas markets, and vacation time. However, as someone who truly appreciates time at home, I love when January hits and all of a sudden it becomes “acceptable” to hibernate for the next few months. This is the…
Taking Off the Weight
Our Parent Coffee this week focused on mental health. In the spirit of well-being, I would like to share a favourite story. There is a famous story of a Zen master travelling with his disciple in Japan. The Zen Master and his young protégé have taken strict vows, and are forbidden from touching and speaking…
It Takes a Village…
I pride myself on being an independent woman and a professional, to a fault at times. Western society places a high value on self-reliance. It has been ingrained in me since I was a child. If my first year of motherhood has solidified anything, it is that at times you are going to need support…
Why Do We Fixate On the Bad?
Do you ever find yourself dwelling on something negative that happened a few days ago, even though most other aspects of your week were really positive? Turn on the news and you will see overwhelming negative content dominating TV, print, and online media. Why? Because negative news coverage grabs more attention (viewers) than positive content….
Encouraging a Self-Motivated Child
After a well-deserved summer break, the return to school required everyone to get back to structure and routines. This left many students, teachers, and possibly parents in a complete brain fog as the shift happened so quickly. And, as the excitement of the new school year drifts away and schedules get filled, some parents might…
Building a Raft to Navigate Life’s Changing Waters
Spring has arrived here in Bulgaria. It is now warm enough that my Pacific Northwest/Alaskan self regularly feels like I am melting. This also means that it is a time when our school community gets ready to say farewell to each other either for the summer or longer. It is a time filled with lots…
Is It Risky to Talk to Your Child About How They Are Feeling?
I love this time of the year. Spring brings sunny weather that warms our skin and rejuvenates our souls. I’m back to relaxing in Sofia parks and enjoying the view of downtown from my balcony. There is a pleasant buzz developing at school. Students and teachers alike know that a long vacation is around the corner, and there are signs that we are getting closer: we just enjoyed spring break, 12th-graders have completed classes and their graduation is a calendar page away. Prom tickets are being sold and prom dresses are being bought. There is a lot going on, but many of us have a bit more bounce in our step. I was looking to match this sunny vibe with my article this week (counselors rotate in to discuss an aspect of wellness in each Weekly Howl). As I was mulling over ideas, however, an interesting article on teen loneliness and depression caught my attention. (“‘It’s Life or Death’: The Mental Health Crisis Among U.S. Teens” in The New York Times….
The Power of Perspective
Perspective. This word has been on my mind recently. I have a new perspective on many things as a new mom. My little son, Orion, has a frequently changing visual perspective now that he has learned to roll over on his own. I look at things at AAS a bit differently sometimes from my perspective as a counselor than my colleagues who are classroom teachers or administrators. This week is parent-teacher conferences. The purpose is to share school and home perspectives to find the best way together to support our children’s growth. Perspective is an important wellness concept for many reasons, including helping us cope with uncomfortable feelings and supporting effective problem solving….
The Science of Habits
Hang on, we’re gonna get sciencеy here and talk about the brain and stuff. The new year has come and gone and you’re 6 weeks into your resolution to be a new and improved you. My informal research, composed exclusively of my annual failed resolutions, indicates that most of us have found it too difficult to stick with the routine and have likely given up and moved on. Why is it so hard to start a new habit, stop a bad one, and ultimately make it last? Humans are creatures of habit. We perform many of our mundane daily routines – getting dressed, making coffee, driving to work – on autopilot. These routines (habitual behavior) are done so without thinking. They’re reflexive and goal oriented….
