The well-being focus for this term is Resilience. Each week there will be a different strategy posted to help us build resilience.

6. Use your sense of humour: Laughter works fast, releasing stress and relaxing people. Use good humour in conversations. Share funny stories. Encourage each other to share good-humoured jokes. Laugh at yourself sometimes.

7. Keep a positive outlook: An optimistic attitude keeps you forward thinking, and solution focussed – and it can be contagious. Avoid seeing difficulties as insurmountable problems. Look at situations in new ways – reframe the picture. Hope fuels our spirits and encourages us to overcome setbacks. Always have goals. Share positive stories. Each day, think of at least 3 positive things, it might help to write them down.

You can get in touch with me via email: merv.ellis@johnpaul.ac.nz or there are forms and a drop box outside my office near L2. There is also a copy of my timetable on my office door so you can see what times I have set aside for counselling. We do have options for you to get help you need here on the coast and can explore those with you.

Youthline 0800 637 366 (txt 234) Need to talk? – 1737 (Call or txt)