Introducing De-Stress December

By Bella Gill

De-Stress December

Hey everyone! We know December can be a very busy and stressful time of year for students. So, the Writing Fellows have decided to hold a series of activities to celebrate “De-Stress December!” Come down to the Writing Center to participate in activities involving gratitude, letter writing, playlist making, and more! We hope that the activities we've designed will help you discover how writing can decrease your stress and improve your mood.

Why “De-Stress December”?

The Writing Fellows understand how you guys feel. We understand the stress you are under, as all of us face the same stressors daily. Now more than ever, we need to take time out of our days to de-stress and focus on our mental well-being. Additionally, holiday season stress is real! It may not seem like it, but this is one of the most stressful times of the year. Having this theme for December was done intentionally!

How Can Writing Benefit My Mental Health?

Writing is a very powerful tool of communication. When speaking with students, I’ve realized that many people like to communicate in some sort of way to relieve their stress. Writing, unlike speaking concretely to someone, allows people to express themselves in a way that can be private and maybe even extra personal. Additionally, writing makes people more aware of themselves and their feelings. People might write things about themselves that they weren’t even aware of until they got it down on paper! This is exactly why the Writing Fellows have created a calendar with daily writing prompts. So, at the end of the day, take a break from the stress around you and just write. Writing allows you to press the pause button on your brain, unwind, and discover parts of yourself that you never would’ve before.

Research on how writing can benefit mental health

What Kind of Activities Can I Find in The Writing Center in December?

The Writing Fellows will have a variety of activities going in the Writing Center throughout the entire month of December. These activities relate to letting something stressful go, showing gratitude, and general activities that connect writing to wellness. We also have a calendar set up for each day in December. You do not need to be with a Writing Fellow to complete these activities, and you may in fact even find it beneficial to complete some of them by yourself. You can find a copy of the De-Stress December calendar HERE.

When Can I Come To The Writing Center?

Anytime (except for Period Seven)! From Periods One to Six (and Flex Block) a Writing Fellow will be in the Center ready to participate in a fun activity with you! You can ask your English teacher to write you a pass for the Writing Center during your study period. We are here for you no matter what, and we understand how you feel. Everyone is welcome to come down to the Writing Center and de-stress this December! We hope to see everyone there!

How Else Can I Participate?

We will host a De-Stress Through Writing event During Flex Block on December 7, in room 308 (Ms. Smetana's room). There, we will run five different activity stations designed to relieve stress through writing. You can also participate by taking part in our monthly De-Stress writing activities on our calendar. If you like, you can even submit your writing to us at bhswritingcenter@bpsk12.org and we may publish your writing here on our blog!