We have opened our session with some minutes of meditation… We dimmed the lights, played some relaxing music and let ourselves go with the chilling moment.

A few minutes can be enough to create a soothing effect. Mark and Rakann voice how this tiny fraction of time made them feel relaxed and away from tension, problems, anxiety.

It was a great warmer to the topic of this meeting: “How hobbies help release stress.”

Everyone has a hobby and therefore a way of putting away our problems, at least for a moment.

Junior is keen on reading – he enjoys it, he acknowledges the intellectual benefits of it and he feels relaxed while reading.

Mark is keen on sports and music – when he plays his mind is away, thinking of the melody and the harmonies.

Misha plays online… which is ok, as long as within reasonable limits. He gets a sense of evasion which helps him cope with the real world.

During this Pillar we have tried to entice the boys to find ways of improving their physical and mental wellbeing, not just with sports but with any other way they feel they benefit of an improvement in their quality of living.

Research shows that people with hobbies are less likely to suffer from stress, low mood, and depression. Activities that get you out and about can make you feel happier and more relaxed. Group activities like team sports can improve your communication skills and relationships with others.

And these are things we will try to keep pushing throughout the school year.