AUGUST 2023 ISSUE NO.

27

HEALTH T O D A Y
CONTENTS
THE POWER OF
MINDFULNESS

EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES
TO MANAGE STRESS

STRIKING A BALANCE: THE

PROS AND CONS OF
HAVING A PANTRY

THE POWER OF MINDFULNESS

To live mindfully is to live in the moment and reawaken oneself to the present rather than dwelling on
the past or anticipating the future. To be mindful is to observe and label thoughts, feelings, and
sensations in the body in an objective manner. Mindfulness can, therefore, be a tool to avoid self-
criticism and judgment while identifying and managing difficult emotions. Simple mindfulness
exercises can be practised anywhere and anytime. Research indicates that engaging your senses
outdoors is incredibly beneficial.
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For more structured mindfulness exercises, such as body
scan or sitting meditation, one must set aside time and be
in a quiet place without distractions or interruptions. An
ideal time to practice these exercises would be early in the
morning before beginning your daily routine. Making
mindfulness a daily habit for six months should eventually
make it effortless.

One must consider it as a commitment to reconnect with

nurturing yourself. Mindfulness also involves acceptance,
ensuring that we pay attention to our thoughts and feelings
without judging them—without believing, for instance, that
there’s a “right” or “wrong” way to think or feel in a given
moment. When we practice mindfulness, our thoughts tune
into what we sense in the present moment rather than
rehashing the past or imagining the future.

We grant ourselves the gift of self-awareness, compassion,

and inner peace by embracing mindfulness. As we embark
on our journeys with greater presence and intention, may
the art of mindfulness continue to guide us, allowing us to
navigate life's twists and turns with a renewed sense of
clarity and tranquillity.
- by Ishan Gupta 605-J

EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES TO MANAGE STRESS

Stress is a regular aspect of our day-to-day lives here in
school, and it never fails to put us under pressure or worry.
Since we perform so many daily activities, it is unsurprising
that stress can get the better of us. So, firstly, one must
understand what stress is.
It is challenging to define stress. What might be stressful
for one person may be pleasurable or less impactful for
others. Stress has quite a negative impact on us both
physically and mentally. Some physical effects of stress can
include headaches, fatigue, and difficulty sleeping. The
mental effects can include a lack of motivation, decreased
productivity, anxiety, and sadness.
The second tip is to maintain a positive attitude. One
automatically feels much happier when focusing more on
the brighter side of life. This will help you automatically
decrease the amount of stress that you are facing.
Combine this with practising deep breathing, which
improves your body’s ability to relax, and you will
automatically feel better.
The third tip is to seek social support. One should try
talking to their peers and seek help from them. When
people listen to you, calming yourself down is natural.
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Stress in school can come from a variety of situations. From

early in the morning to late at night, students are involved in
all sorts of activities which leave them exhausted. This can
lead to heaps of stress, but these tips will help one manage
stress better.

The first tip is to identify the sources of stress in one's life

by making a to-do list and prioritising each task according
to the value it holds to your schedule and how much it will
impact your work. Depending on that, focus on the tasks
with the highest impact and prioritise those tasks first. The
functions with the most negligible impact should be saved
for later. With this time management technique, one can
adequately manage one's time and reduce stress.

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The final tip is to manage one’s behaviour. The way one
responds to people also impacts one’s stress levels. A
tip for managing your behaviour is not to overcommit
yourself. The more tasks one has, the more stress one
will have. Another way is to distract oneself with
podcasts and music, which will automatically help a
person relax and feel better.

Adhering to these suggestions should provide the tools

to effectively manage school challenges, contributing
to a more balanced and stress-resilient life.

- by Naahar Khatri 561-J

THE PANTRY DILEMMA:

BALANCING CONVENIENCE AND CHALLENGES AT DOON
At school, our houses serve as a second home for us Doscos,
providing accommodation and a unique living experience. As
we eagerly re-entered the school this term, a significant
change awaited us, one that would significantly impact our
pastoral life - the reduction of equipment in the house pantry.

While the pantry has been considered a significant privilege of

the houses for a long time, It has had its fair share of
drawbacks. Even though it encouraged independence among
the students, allowing us to prepare meals according to our
preferences and dietary needs, this freedom also led to time
management challenges.

There were instances when students would spend more time

than intended in the pantry, either cooking or socialising,
consequently affecting their study and sleep schedules. The
decision to change the pantry was influenced by another
critical factor: students skipping meals. The thought of making
quick and easy toasts using the bread available in the house
pantries led some students to miss regular meals. This trend
raised concerns among the school administration about the
potential negative impact on our overall well-being and
nutritional intake.
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(Continued from Page 3) A pantry provides easy access to

As with any change, there have been
mixed reactions among the students.
Some students feel the adjustments
are reasonable and necessary to
ensure a healthier and more
balanced lifestyle. On the other hand,
some find it challenging to adapt, as
the pantry has become a familiar
space for students to explore their
culinary interests.
essential food items and snacks,
allowing us to grab a quick bite or
beverage. This convenience can be
especially beneficial during busy
study sessions or when students need
a snack between meals. Furthermore,
students can prepare simple meals
and snacks, nurturing a sense of
independence and responsibility in
managing their dietary needs.

While it's essential to acknowledge
the pantry's drawbacks, it's equally
important to highlight the multiple
advantages that having a pantry
brings to our boarding experience.
After all, don't we crave that toast
with a cup of milk after returning
from sports?
Moreover, the pantry can also act as a
quick escape while greatly helping us
in stress relief and relaxation by
serving as a place where students can
take a break from studies during
nerve-wracking exams and spend
time in the pantry with friends which
can be refreshing and rejuvenating.

Finally, I would like to say that the

presence of a pantry in a boarding
school like Doon has merits and
demerits. While it promotes
convenience, independence, and
social bonding among students, it can
also lead to time management issues
and impact academic schedules.
Striking a balance between its
benefits and potential drawbacks is
crucial in ensuring a positive living
experience, fostering life skills, and
maintaining a supportive environment
for all students.

- by Viraj Singh 627-J

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: ARKH RISHI GOYAL

EDITORS: MOHAK JAIN, YUV AGRAWAL, REYANSH AGARWAL, SYEON BAJAJ
SPECIAL THANKS: MS. APARNA BEHL
ISSUE 27
©IPSS: ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
PUBLISHED BY: THE DOON SCHOOL, DEHRADUN