Wellbeing Advice

Lea White Rene, Eve O’Rourke (6th Year)

Our Lady of Mercy Beaumont has continuously made sure that the mental and general wellbeing of their students was at the centre of attention. A numerous amount of facilities are provided to the students such as easy access to book an appointment with the guidance counselor and a heavy emphasis on de-stressing and decreasing anxiety.
In our school, every year, there is a week dedicated to wellbeing. Generally in February, this week has a variety of events and fun activities which help spread awareness in the school about the importance of the students mental wellbeing and how it is essential to prioritise health.

Our school also teaches its students about how beneficial meditation and breathing exercises can be to calm the mind in times of anxiety and stress, especially coming up to exams. Below you will find a walk through of a simple breathing exercise that can be used to help in times of worry.

1. While you do deep breathing, use a picture in your mind and a word or phrase to help you feel more relaxed.
2. Close your eyes if they’re open.
3. Take a few big, deep breaths.
4. Breathe in. As you do that, imagine that the air is filled with a sense of peace and calm. Try to feel it throughout your body.
5. Breathe out. While you’re doing it, imagine that the air leaves with your stress and tension.
6. Now use a word or phrase with your breath. As you breathe in, say in your mind, “I breathe in peace and calm.”
7. As you breathe out, say in your mind, “I breathe out stress and tension.”
8. Continue for 10 to 20 minutes.