Have you ever felt the soul-crushing burden of stress dragging your life through the mud? Ever had your precious time dwindled away at the hands of stress, while you are left powerless and alone? Well all this pain and anguish can be resolved in an instant; and all it takes is a change in the way we think. This alteration in brain chemistry is defined as mindfulness, the ability to obtain momentary awareness and recognition of our thoughts and feelings. Mindfulness is the key to defeating stress before it defeats you. Mindfulness is something all of us need in our lives right now and practising it can help all of us to lead a better life.
We should be terrified of stress. Stress is a psychological epidemic that is sweeping the nation, infecting the developing minds of the youth. It is a leading cause for mental illnesses at a young age and is killing people’s motivation and desire to be their best selves. Stress is causing you and your kids to fall short in life. As a student, I have experienced the overwhelming feeling of stress firsthand. The crushing, immense pressure to create a future for ourselves, while juggling assignments and friendships. Sadly, stress has become a regular component of school life. According to a shocking study from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, teenagers are 20% more susceptible to intense psychological stress than adults. This highlights that no one is truly safe from the crippling and overwhelming pressure of mental illness. But pressure makes diamonds, and there is a light at the end of a tunnel. Parents, students, now is the time to change the way we think.
How can I alleviate my stress? The answer is as simple as one word: Mindfulness. Mindfulness is the human superpower to be conscious and fully aware of our thoughts and feelings as they occur. Mindfulness is a form of meditation used to harness the boundless potential of our emotions. It can be achieved by stopping, breathing, and thinking about how we will react to something before we do, slowing down and relaxing your thought process and blocking out any rash decisions. According to the University of Washington, mindfulness can help to reduce intense stress responses entirely. They also say it improves brain function, adding clarity to whatever is causing you stress. Mindfulness is a raft, keeping us afloat while sailing the sea of stress.
Next time you're out and about and you feel your stress building, just slow down and breathe. If you don't leave room in your life for mindfulness, it’s easy for stress to take control. If even for a few seconds, take some time off to think about your surroundings. It’s up to all of us to use mindfulness as a launchpad into a brighter, more peaceful future for humanity. So, heal your mind, unlock inner peace and conquer stress, because our true power lies in serenity.
- By Rupert Irwin - Year 9 TGS student
References
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021, August 12). First insights from the National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing, 2020-21 | Australian Bureau of Statistics. Www.abs.gov.au. https://www.abs.gov.au/article...
Kabat-Zinn, J. (2019). Mindfulness Definition | What Is Mindfulness. Greater Good. https://greatergood.berkeley.e...
Silverman, A. (2017). How to Reduce Stress Through Mindfulness | Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Aging With Physical Disabilities. Agerrtc.washington.edu. https://agerrtc.washington.edu...
Latest Blog
Pioneering Excellence: Launching TGS's Athletic Development Program
Our Athletic Development Program represents a paradigm shift in how schools nurture sporting talent—combining cutting-edge technology, evidence-based practices and a whole-person philosophy that prepares young men for success beyond the scoreboard.
Reflecting on the Past, Walking Forward Together
This week is an important time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements, and to reflect on how we can each contribute to achieving reconciliation. The theme for NRW 2025, 'Bridging Now to Next,' calls on us to honour the past, acknowledge the present and actively build a better future. It reminds us that reconciliation is not a destination, it is a journey guided by reflection, respect and a shared commitment to walking together. As we look back on the…
A Bright Start to our Rising and Leading Series
More than 150 members of the Toowoomba and Darling Downs community joined us to hear from leading demographer and data commentator Simon Kuestenmacher, whose presentation sparked fresh thinking about the decade ahead.
Women of Grammar Luncheon
A Tribute to the Heart of the School Originally scheduled for International Women's Day but rescheduled (thanks, Cyclone Alfred!) to the eve of Mother's Day, the timing felt serendipitous. It was a day to honour the women—past and present—whose quiet strength, tireless support and enduring love have shaped the School's legacy and the lives of its boys for 150 years. The marquee was beautifully appointed for a day of merriment
Lachlan Stuart's Marathon Feat
Mr Stuart will return to TGS again for the event held on Wednesday, 28 May to support the Year 12's significant fundraising G150 Gift Run event. The boys are running 1500km in a relay format to honour a 1968 TGS Interact Club fundraising project that will help upgrade the original School gates on Herries Street, along with raising funds for the Nerve Connection Foundation.
Remembering Private Colin Stirling, a TGS Old Boy (1899-1900)
This was the headline that screamed out on the pages of the Toowoomba Chronicle and Darling Downs General Advertiser on Thursday, 15 August 1901. With ANZAC Day just last Friday, this week we continue to honour many of our Old Boys who gave the ultimate sacrifice including Private Colin Stirling, a TGS Old Boy (1899-1900) and our first former student lost in the Boer War. The story began with: “News was received on Tuesday afternoon that in an engagement at Kopjesfontein, on the 6th instant,…
Honouring Tradition: Toowoomba Grammar School and ANZAC Day
This year marks 98 years since TGS and the 13 Army Cadet Unit (Toowoomba Collective Unit) first participated in ANZAC Services in Toowoomba. The School's commitment to these services is a testament to its deep-rooted military traditions and the enduring spirit of remembrance. Mounties out the front of School House in 1908. A Legacy of Service Toowoomba Grammar School's military traditions date back to its early days. The School's Cadet Unit, formed in 1892, has been a cornerstone of its…
Outdoor Pursuits and Activities Week - Developing Good Character Beyond the Classroom
We offer a range of enrichment activities for our boys, but the last week of Term 1 is a very special opportunity for all of our Senior School students. It's Outdoor Pursuits and Activities Week, which provides age-appropriate physical challenges in a safe, well-supervised environment. Activities on the various camps may include ropes courses, rock climbing, bodyboarding, surfing, mountain biking and canoeing. The aim is to foster a love of the outdoors and an appreciation of the environment.…
Stories behind key TGS staff helping shape our students
It was my great privilege to join TGS as Head of House - Boyce Boarding in 2024. The opportunity to lead these young men of character on their TGS journey carries great weight but is also enormously exciting. Embarking upon this project alongside my wife Meg as Boyce Boarding House Manager strengthens the team further. I am hopeful that we will demonstrate to the boys how positive relationships can foster a warm and supportive environment. I know that many of our boys are familiar with strong…
