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Cultivating a healthy psychology
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Li Dan
THEY have much more than we did when we were young; they know much more than we did; they play computer games, they eat at McDonald's, they go to discos. But kids today are also exposed to harsh psychological pressures from family and school, and often struggle with the emotional chaos that can accompany growing up.
At Shenzhen Senior High School, students like to visit a quiet comfortable room when they feel frustrated. In that "Tension Releasing Room", their fatigue and anger are released in shouts and tears after confiding in their tutor Jiang Ping.
Slogans of encouragement like "talking out yesterday, seizing today, expecting a better tomorrow" and "open your heart to embrace your life" are posted on the wall. Four massage beds covered by white sheets with light blue stripes stand close to the French windows. Students can get a massage or even hypnotherapy to let out the tension that weighs them down.
According to Mr Jiang, associate professor and expert in success psychology consultation, most kids only need a good talk to overcome their troubles, but those who are extremely depressed or excited are given the chance to give vent to angry shouts and tears. Here, students are allowed to shout out their hatred for someone and hopes for themselves, after which they feel much better.
Psychologists believe that most human thoughts and behaviours develop in a balanced way. When the two collide, either behaviors or thoughts will adjust to keep in accordance with the other. Applying this theory, Jiang often urges his troubled charges to shout their hopes out as loud as they can. "I will keep up my spirits and don't care what others say!" "I will succeed and never depress myself again!" As they gradually raise their voices, the students gain confidence in themselves and walk out of the room in bright smiles.
"When I thanked our tutor and opened the door again, I felt that day is a turning point in my whole life," one girl told me in the corridor.
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