Here at Push, we can’t celebrate our differences enough. It’s what makes us all so interesting, able to see the world in new, abstract ways to solve all sorts of problems, and to come together as strong, diverse teams.
A world full of identical people with identical thoughts is, well, not worth thinking about. Want us to put our money where our mouth is? Head to our YouTube channel for a quick-fire rundown from Ben, one of our presenters—he talks about making the most of your individuality and quirks, and discusses how he turned his dyslexia into an award-winning strength. But we get it. Sometimes, the world isn’t always geared up to help and support differences.
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You’ve got the next six weeks of freedom ahead of you – use it wisely! Whether you’re thinking of going away to uni, taking an apprenticeship or just getting your own place sometime soon, learning to cook is an incredible life skill.
Trust us, the instant noodles get old real quick. (And we’re not talking expiry dates. Monosodium Glutamate will outlast us all.) So now that you’ve got the time, why not learn something new? This summer is a great opportunity to help out in the kitchen, learn some recipes and techniques, and test drive a few dishes. Here at Push, we’re real advocates for mental health awareness and support. Just check out our website for bundles of content on everything from looking after yourself at uni to understanding the science behind mental wellness, and the benefits of taking the reins and knowing what you want from life.
We’re even here to help when it comes to what you should look for at uni, college, or work in terms of inclusive environments and mental health support. Might sound like we’re banging on a bit, but this stuff really does matter. It’s come out from an OECD report into cyber related bullying that out of all the highly developed countries investigated, England has the highest rate of cyber bullying and social media misuse in its schools. Which is a pretty nasty stat.
The study looked at ‘the experiences of more than 250,000 teachers in 48 industrialised countries and regions’ and found a serious problem with the UK. A paid contribution by our friends over at Future Fit Training the leading training provider of Personal Trainers, Nutrition Advisers and Pilates Instructors in the UK. We think this is a useful and interesting article for all our readers and are happy to publish.
The numbers tell the story:
And with the demand for personal trainers and weight loss consultants outweighing the supply, there are plenty of opportunities out there for those looking to become a personal trainer. You might have heard in the last year or two sportswear giants like Nike were making controversial waves by releasing the first forward-thinking, breathable sports hijabs for female Muslim athletes.
The special hijabs, though innovative and a positive step forward in terms of inclusivity in sport, came with a fairly steep price tag. That’s why Brunel University have been praised for the new addition to their university sports kit - the ‘Brunel Blue’ sports hijab, in two sizes. And at £15 a pop, they’re almost 40% cheaper than the kit sold by Nike. Contributed by our friends over at HFE the UK's leading provider of personal training courses and fitness qualifications...
In 2018, it was reported that the UK's health and fitness industry was worth an approximate £5bn and the number of gyms reached over 7,000 for the first time. It's also estimated that 1 in 7 people in the UK is a member of a gym. All these figures point to one simple fact: the best time to get into the fitness industry is right now! Of all of the possible roles for young people available in the fitness industry, there's one that stands head and shoulders above all others in terms of appeal and mainstream popularity and that's of a personal trainer. There's no doubt you'll have a picture in your head of a personal trainer and you've probably seen a fair few when you've ever been to a gym. Now the common stereotype is that PTs just stand around and don't do very much. They've probably got a clipboard (or iPad if they're fancy), a stopwatch and they just spend time watching clients exercise. If you’re lucky they might even chime in every few minutes with words of encouragement. You’re probably looking forward to the festive season. But as you know it can be a stressful time as well as a happy one.
If you’re a student, then returning to the family home after a period of independence is challenging. Plus the most wonderful time of the year is also the most expensive! What’s the best way of avoiding pressure at Christmas, whilst taking the strain off your bank account? Our guide is here to light the way. From wrapping presents to warbling carols, our Santa’s sack is full to the brim with tips. So what are you waiting for? Let’s go-ho-ho… Winter is more than just Netflix binges and hot chocolates (we're boiling the kettle right now...). As the festive period dawns on us, how we approach it is like being presented with a turkey wish bone - or a Quorn one vegans (although we're actually not sure how that would work): we can pull one way yet and be convinced good vibes are coming our way, only to be surprised by the eventual outcome...
It might be shocking to know, but 4 out of 5 people between the ages of 18 and 21 know someone who has experienced a mental health problem. A quarter of all people in the same age group are worried about the mental health of someone their age.
And, according to the NUS, among students, it’s an even more critical issue. 63% of university counselling services have reported an increase in psychological distress among students. So, what does the M-word really mean? You might have heard the term 'mindfulness' thrown around by lifestyle bloggers, Insta yoginis and emblazoned on covers of pocket books in your local bookshop. It's becoming so popular that it's almost the new hygge.
If you read anything in a tabloid newspaper, you'd think that the young people of today are nothing but delicate little "snowflakes" – offended by everything, right down to the ever-rising price of avocados.
You only have to talk to a real-life young person to know that's not the case. An entire university study has been dedicated to the idea of Generation Snowflake, and you won't be surprised to find that it's an exaggerated, over-generalised load of nonsense. Okay, maybe not the avocado part. C'mon, we've got to have some nice things. Researches from the University of Leeds' Institute for Teaching interviewed 55 undergrads as part of their study into student resilience, and had another 185 complete survey questionnaires. Students were asked what they thought about the snowflake generation - students who were "quick to take offence and too emotionally vulnerable to cope with views that challenge their own", and also the idea of 'trigger-warnings' - where individuals are notified of potentially distressing content before being exposed to it. Surprisingly, large numbers of students hadn't even heard of the term 'snowflake generation' or even 'trigger-warnings', and if they were aware of the concept, it wasn't usually in terms of education and more in terms of internet use. Rather than the negative associations, where 'trigger-warnings' are viewed as a form of censorship, the participating students largely agreed that the warnings allowed them to be prepared for potentially disturbing content, rather than choosing not to engage with it at all. Overall, the participants "were likely to say that they could see some truth in ['snowflake generation'], but that it was an unfair, sweeping label for an eclectic group of people." There's never a better time to get yourself fighting fit, both mentally and physically, but we know it's often easier said than done.
Now, we don't know it all, but trust us when we say that Rome wasn't built in a day. Small, manageable changes are the best way to have a long-term impact on how you think and feel, so here's Push’s 5 top tips for maintaining good mental health. Mental health is nothing to be sneered at, and it can be a big weight on the shoulders of the average young person. Push wants to hammer home just how crucial it is to let people in on how you feel.
Isolation from others and from the society around you is the biggest cause of mental illness developing. It has been proven that people who lack a sense of community in their lives (in other words, a support network on your doorstep) are more likely to experience mental illness. Community experiences – however you get involved – give people a sense of self-worth, of belonging to something bigger than themselves At Push, we tell it like it is. That means we say it's okay to get help if you feel overwhelmed, and your mental and physical health are suffering.
Dr Nihara Kruase, a consultant clinical psychologist highlights government funded research (ONS, UCL, NHS data) that found 1/4 girls and 1/10 boys have emotional problems including loneliness, self-hatred and feeling unloved. If this sounds a little too familiar, don't panic. We're all in this together. |
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We're always interested to hear from talented young writers, so if you'd like to feature as a guest author then hit us up for more details.
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