Throwing Away Bad Feelings – Topical Tuesdays Activities from First News

Researchers in Japan say they’ve found a quick and easy way to get rid of angry feelings and turn your frown upside down. They recommend writing your feelings down on a scrap of paper, then throwing it away or putting it through the shredder – and they say that it’s scientifically proven to work. Scientists hope that this research could help people to control their anger at home, work or school.

Oracy

Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to throw away bad feelings? But do you worry that this is just a gimmick? Will it give lasting relief or just a temporary boost? Shouldn’t we be understanding our tricky thoughts rather than just discarding them? Or do you think this is a wonderfully simple way to help your mood? Knowing how hard it is to find good mental health support, isn’t anything that helps worth trying? In any case, if the research says it works, shouldn’t we trust it? What do you think?

Writing skills

This task comes in two parts. First, write down any bad feelings you might have on a scrap of paper then throw it away. Then, write a brief report on what you found – no need to identify what your bad feelings were. Did you feel any better for doing it? Try to be as accurate and descriptive as possible.

Or

Rewrite a short version of a traditional tale in which the baddie writes down their bad feelings and throws them away. Make it as humorous or serious as you like but include what you think the baddie might have written on their piece of paper before tossing it in the bin.

Investigate

Using reliable sources of information, research and list five other simple things you could do to improve your mood.

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