Wellness Wednesday
Each Wednesday, our SEP Wellness Team will share with you some activities, exercises, and resources to help you stay healthy and well during these days of isolation and social distancing.
September 29, 2021 - Wellness Wednesday
Welcome Back Parents/Guardians, Students, Faculty and Staff,
Here we are...all back in the building together again! So exciting to be back, but at the same time scary. Honestly, some of us are happy to be back and many are not. Those who are not too pleased may be feeling fearful and/or anxious about being back in the building. Some stressors may include: Have I fallen behind in my learning? Will I ever catch up? Will my friends still want to be friends with me since I haven't seen them in person for so long? What if they got new friends? It feels like a year of my life is missing. What if I get COVID? So many new procedures I need to follow. I don't like wearing my mask ALL DAY.
First, let us begin with a prayer inviting God's presence during this very important school year. Club members will then share their thoughts on re-entering life here at SEP.
Merciful God,
We are grateful for the resilience, innovation and determination our students, teachers, school staff, parents and administrators demonstrated and developed over the past year. We begin this new school year in prayer because we are anxious for our students to resume school in person, yet still be safe from COVID-19.
We pray for a better year; for a safe return to classrooms; for the health of students, teachers and school staff and administrators under pressure to make difficult decisions; and for parents exhausted by the uncertainty and constantly changing plans.
Help us, Holy God, to bear with one another in love as we face the new challenges this year will inevitably bring. We ask that the hard lessons students learned since the start of this pandemic will give them the confidence and courage to face whatever lies ahead. With confidence in your ability to do more than we ask or imagine, we pray that faith will deter fear and hope will bring new life.
Bless us, Holy God, in our efforts to protect and care for students so they can focus on their healthy development and their studies. Lead us all to health and healing.
In Christ’s name we pray,
Amen.
Amen.
Sophia Russell '24 shares how our social skills may need to be polished since there hasn't been much people interaction over the last 18 months.
Social Skills
Ever since the pandemic, our social skills have gone down the drain. Now that the world is starting to come back to “normal”, we all have to re-learn how to interact with people. Here are some tips to help you with your social skills:
Ever since the pandemic, our social skills have gone down the drain. Now that the world is starting to come back to “normal”, we all have to re-learn how to interact with people. Here are some tips to help you with your social skills:
- Engage with others -- make plans to see friends
- Talk to a new person at lunch every day
- Keep up with current events (this can help you spark conversations with others.)
- Start small conversations with workers at stores. A simple “thank you” or “how are you” will not only make their day, but also help your conversation skills. Personally I have struggled in the past with talking to workers, but in the last six months I have gotten so much better.
Angelo Cappucci '24 reflects on the following:
The COVID pandemic has been around for almost two years now. In the beginning, it was pretty bad with this virus taking lives and jobs, limiting essential supplies and activities, as well as basically changing everyone's lives and throwing them for a loop. We finally can somewhat see a light at the end of the tunnel, although it may be a dim one, it is a light nonetheless. Since businesses, activities, and basically life has begun to re-open, re-entry into daily routines has been a nice change. One change that we as students need to get used to again is re-entering school for a normal as possible school day. It has been a little bit of a challenge for some, I'm sure. When we were remote, masks weren't necessary, sleeping later was an option, wearing the uniform top with a more comfortable non uniform bottom prevailed since no one could see anything but a head shot when the camera was on, as well as less backaches from carrying heavy schoolbags, the commute was great, and eating and using the restroom was easier and could be done whenever the urge came about. Even though we have to get used to re-enter teenage and school life, we are grateful things are getting back to normal, seeing friends and teachers, and being able to experience high school as it was meant to be....mask or no mask.
The Club looks forward to sharing many tips, techniques, articles, etc. this school year. If you have anything you'd like see explored this year or any tips you'd like to share, please email Mrs. Lundy at [email protected].
Wishing you a Wellness Wednesday kind of day!
November 17, 2021 - Wellness Wednesday
Welcome to the Wellness Wednesday Thanksgiving edition where club members share some recipes, what we are thankful for this Thanksgiving, favorite holiday memories, centerpiece DIY crafts and a beautiful Thanksgiving prayer to share with your friends and family at your Thanksgiving table.
The Wellness Wednesday Club is so grateful for your continued support, suggestions and feedback.
Mrs. Lundy shares a family favorite that MUST be on her Thanksgiving table:
Baked Corn (Serves 12)
Ingredients
1 can (12 oz. size) whole kernel corn
1 can (12 oz. size) cream-style corn
4 oz. sour cream
1 cup melted butter
2 eggs
1 (12 oz.) size corn muffin mix
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Combine two cans of corn, sour cream, melted butter, beaten eggs and corn muffin. Mix well and pour into a 9x13 inch baking pan. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes.
Sophia Russell shares her Grandma’s Applesauce Cake
Ingredients:
½ cup of Crisco or room temp butter
1 ½ cups of Brown Sugar (You can put less if you like it less sweet)
1 egg
1 teaspoon of baking soda
1 cup of thick applesauce
1 teaspoon of salt
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
1 teaspoon of clove
1 ½ to 2 cups of Flour – amount depends on the thickness of mixture. If too loose – do 2 cups, but start with the
1 ½ cups.
Process:
Cream the Crisco/Butter, sugar and egg together.
Dissolve the baking soda into the applesauce and add to the butter mixture.
Sift the salt, cinnamon, clove and flour together and slowly add to the butter mixture.
Thickness depends upon the thickness of the apple sauce you use.
Pour entirely blended mixture into greased loaf pans and bake at 350 degrees for 50 to 60
minutes.
Thanksgiving Prayer to share at your Thanksgiving dinner:
Heavenly Father, on Thanksgiving Day, we bow our hearts to You and pray. We give You thanks for all You've done, especially for the gift of Jesus, Your Son. For beauty in nature, Your glory we see, for joy and health, friends, and family.
Club member Angelo Cappucci shares his favorite Thanksgiving memory:
Every holiday since I was born has been special to me. There are so many amazing memories made with family and friends that I feel very lucky and filled with gratitude. One Thanksgiving memory in particular comes to mind. It was Thanksgiving morning a few years ago. I remember waking up to the smells of turkey, sweet potatoes, biscuits, corn bread, ham, baking pies, and the excitement of my family talking, laughing, and cooking together. I remember it was a freezing morning, but I was nice and toasty in my house. I crawled out of bed and made my way to the living room where the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade was already on. I sat glued to the television watching the floats, the singers, and the Rockettes perform. I really wanted to see Santa because I knew after he was seen on TV, it was officially Christmas and my elf was going to visit. Once the parade ended, my parents surprised me by telling me that that weekend, they were taking me to see the Christmas Spectacular and that we had front row seats. Not only was it a great Thanksgiving Day with food and family, but it was the start to a great holiday season for me!
Here are some articles you may find helpful so you can enjoy your Thanksgiving meal without that “I ate too much” feeling:
Club members discussed that there are people out there who might be feeling nervous or anxious about re-entering the holiday season meeting in large groups or maybe even traveling.
Sophia shares some of her favorite Thanksgiving traditions:
Thanksgiving Poppers!!
Here is a link if you would like to get some.
Thanksgiving Parade Balloons
Something fun for you to do on Thanksgiving Eve is to go see the Thanksgiving day parade balloons be blown up.
Here is some more information
Decorating the Thanksgiving Table
Here are some ideas on how to decorate your Thanksgiving day table
What club members are thankful for:
I am so thankful to the Wellness Wednesday Club. Each time we meet I am reminded that our young adults are aware of the social anxieties and mental health issues troubling fellow students and their families and they want to do what they can to help contribute to finding solutions to help people suffer less. So thankful to them and their awareness. ~ Mrs. Lundy
I am thankful for my family and friends. ~ Sophia Russell
Happy Thanksgiving from the Wellness Wednesday Club
January 19, 2022 - Wellness Wednesday
Holy Moly! Midterms Week is next!
To better prepare for midterms, the Wellness Wednesday Club shares some tips and techniques for test prep.
Club members share articles and websites offering good study practices for this week to prepare for next week’s exams:
Sophia shares some tips for next week:
Tips for Midterms -
- Make sure you get a good night’s rest before each of your exams.
- Have a good breakfast.
- Get to school on time.
- If you have time, review any notes that you have.
- Before each of your exams try to stay calm.
- When taking your exams remember to manage your time.
- Stay as long as you can and make sure to check your work.
Angelo shares what test stress feels like and Mrs. Lundy shares an EFT/Tapping video helping you process that test stress and anxiety.
Remember to go to office hours this week and reach out to your teachers if you have any questions or need clarity with any topics.
Good luck! You’re going to do great!
February 14, 2022 - Wellness Wednesday
In celebration of St. Valentine’s Day, this week’s edition of Wellness Wednesday focuses on relationships.
Relationships can be tricky sometimes so that is why the Wellness Wednesday Club thought it would be a great idea to share some helpful information about relationships.
Relationships can feel fluid – easy, breezy, fun and carefree. Some relationships make us feel stuck.
Our relationships are very personal and some change over time. Maybe that friend you’ve been friends with since kindergarten has started hanging out with a new group of friends…that can hurt and feelings of unworthiness and upset.
Your parents are separating/ed and now you need to navigate how to have a relationship with both parents individually – well that’s new and feels weird.
Maybe you’ve started a relationship with a partner for the first time, and you’re not too sure what your role is as boyfriend or girlfriend.
Or maybe, you’ve broken up with someone and now what?
As we mentioned, relationships can be tricky, but they can be awesome too. Our close friends, teachers, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. are always available to us to support us, to love us and to build us up. Those relationships can be taken for granted so we need to stay present and reciprocal with how we interact.
How about our relationship with God? Does that need to be strengthened? Is it time to reopen the communication line with God – He’s ALWAYS available to us – 24/7!!!!
And…what’s Valentine’s Day without learning how to make a DIY craft. Everyone loves to receive a gift that is homemade.
Club members share some articles they feel will help you understand relationships better. As always, since we are in relationship, the club would love to hear what you think.
Definition of relationship: the way in which two or more people or things are connected (Merriam-Webster)
How to Maintain and Keep a Healthy Relationship:
- Respect
- Trust
- Communication
- Honesty
- Making time for yourself
- Being empathetic
- Plan fun activities outside of your house.
- Don’t be afraid to disagree
- Find common interests
It can be really hard to know if and when someone likes you. Click here to read a very helpful article with some tips to help you know. Be sure to read the whole article because the last paragraph has some good information about if someone likes you, but you don’t actually them. What happens then?
And finally, how do you get over a relationship?
- Give yourself some space.
- Keep busy.
- Take time out for you.
- Talk to friends and family and others who can support you.
- Do not distract yourself with unhealthy habits to deal with the pain.
- Give it time.
- Try to get regular sleep and exercise.
Oh wait, we almost forgot the craft! Enjoy!
Happy Valentine’s Day from the Wellness Wednesday Club <3
April 6, 2022 - Wellness Wednesday
Welcome to this edition of Wellness Wednesday dedicated today to “Spring into Wellness”!
Spring is a wonderful time of year. We’ve all been looking forward to it. Although the weather is not quite as warm as we’d like, we know that brighter, longer days are on the horizon. There is sunlight at the end of the dark tunnel.
Mrs. Lundy shares her thoughts:
What I love most about the beginning of Spring is witnessing the trees change from bare, to budding, to fullness; also watching the flowers start to peek out. I know they may be reluctant this year as it’s still so chilly, but it will happen no matter what the weather. Warm temperatures sure do speed up the process, but like any other growth, whether personal and spiritual, we can’t rush the process. It will all happen on its own time with a help or push.
Experiencing the changeover from winter to Spring takes mindfulness and presence. An example I’ve encountered is my drive to work each morning. There are so many trees along Avenue T from Gerritsen Avenue to Ocean Avenue. So often, my mind is so preoccupied by thoughts, plans and just “stuff” that if I’m not mindful, alert and aware each morning, I will miss the miracle of this beautiful transition. I’m also reminded of the miracle of darkness to light when I attend the Easter Vigil. The moment the Church changes from the Triduum to Easter brings me such joy – our dark days end and the joy of Easter brings with it an opportunity of rebirth and joyfulness. Christ has risen! Alleluia
Sophia Russell '24 shares her thoughts on Spring time:
It’s Spring time!! That means it's time to start thinking about what you want to plant in your gardens this year. My family's favorite flower to plant is sunflowers.
Here are some tips that can help you get your sunflowers to grow as big as our did two years ago:
- Plant them in the mid-to-late Spring.
- Make sure to plant them in small pots first, then transfer them into the ground or a larger pot.
- Use fertilizer.
- Plant them in a sunny spot with good soil.
- Remember to not overwater them. (they need an inch of water a week)
- If they get really tall tie them up so that they stand up straight.
Since it’s getting to be nice out (hopefully), here are some fun outdoor activities to do with your family or friends:
- Go bike riding.
- Go on a run.
- Plan a picnic.
- Go on a long walk with your dog.
- Play any sport. (baseball, softball, soccer, etc.)
- Drive-in movie theater.
- Go to an amusement park.
- Go into the city. (there is so much to do)
Angelo Cappucci '24 shares his thoughts on Spring:
Spring is a time for renewal and new beginnings. Many people fight new beginnings because many dislike changes, while others embrace them. New beginnings happen more often than we think. For example, each morning is a new beginning, each marking period is a new beginning, even each second, each minute, each hour is a new beginning for something to change or for something great to happen. We have to celebrate those endings because they lead to those new beginnings; new and fresh starts to whatever we have been dealing with or what has been troubling us. We often know when it is time to start fresh. We must trust ourselves and trust the wonder of new beginnings. Happy Spring! Happy Easter! Happy New Beginnings!
If you are like many of us who suffer from allergies, please see the following article to some tips:
Wishing you a Happy Spring and a Blessed Easter.
The Wellness Wednesday Club