NTEU celebrates author, philologist and “father of modern fantasy”, JRR Tolkien, for his contribution to the literary world – inspiring concepts such as heroism and the importance of home. strongly opposed to Nazi racial theories. ✊🏿✊🏻✊🏾✊🏽 #heromonth #heritagemonth

Today the National Tertiary Education Union celebrates late boxing World Champion, Jacob "Baby Jake" Matlala. This Soweto born local represented something of the fighting spirit and resilience of SA, stirring up hope that the little guy can in fact win. ✊🏿✊🏻✊🏾✊🏽 #heromonth

Isolation and loneliness are linked to poor mental health and lead to negative changes in brain structure. Healthy social connections improve the brain's ability to manage stress and anxiety. ✊🏿✊🏻✊🏾✊🏽 #mentalhealthawareness #highereducation #union

Exercise improves brain function by increasing blood flow and nutrients, stimulating the release of mood-boosting chemicals, and promoting the growth of new brain cells and connections. ✊🏿✊🏻✊🏾✊🏽 #MentalHealthAwareness #union #highereducation #excercise

A diet high in nutrients supports mood, memory, and learning ✊🏿✊🏻✊🏾✊🏽 #MentalHealthAwareness #union #highereducation #food

Sugar can induce mood swings, memory issues, and increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Stable blood sugar levels through a balanced diet, stress management, and exercise is crucial for brain health and preventing these issues ✊🏿✊🏻✊🏾✊🏽 #MentalHealthAwareness #sugar

Positive thoughts stimulate the production chemicals crucial for feelings of calm, happiness, and well-being. They also lower the levels of stress hormones like cortisol. ✊🏿✊🏻✊🏾✊🏽 #MentalHealthAwareness #positivevibes #union #highereducation

Sometimes acknowledging a negative thought, without judgment, can assist your brain in escaping from a cycle of negative thinking or obsession. ✊🏿✊🏻✊🏾✊🏽 #MentalHealthAwareness #negativity #union #highereducation

Proper hydration supports optimal brain function, memory, and mood. DID YOU KNOW a lack of water can lead to brain shrinkage 😲 ✊🏿✊🏻✊🏾✊🏼 #MentalHealthAwareness #water #union #highereducation

Journaling impacts your brain by improving memory, sharpening focus, and enhancing emotional processing. ✊🏿✊🏻✊🏾✊🏼 #MentalHealthAwareness #journaling #highereducation #union

Not only does talking to someone during struggles break the stigmas around mental health, reduce feelings of isolation, and lead to the discovery of treatment options, it also has amazing physical impacts on your brain! ✊🏿✊🏻✊🏾✊🏽 #MentalHealthAwareness #communication #union

When appropriately supervised the correct medication can improve daily life by helping stabilize mood and energy levels and reduce severe symptoms like paranoia, hallucinations, intrusive thoughts, and severe anxiety, and can help you feel more in control. ✊🏿✊🏻✊🏾✊🏽

Spending time in nature can decrease the activation of the amygdala, the brain's threat center, while increasing focus, creativity, and cognitive flexibility. “Greentime” is especially impactful for those with ADHD. ✊🏿✊🏻✊🏾✊🏽 #MentalHealthAwareness #greentime #union

Mindfulness can increase gray matter in the memory and emotion regions of the brain and improve connectivity, leading to better emotional regulation, focus, and stress resilience. ✊🏿✊🏻✊🏾✊🏽 #MentalHealthAwareness #mindfulnesspractice #union #highereducation

National Tertiary Education Union GS @Grant Abbott on ENCA on damage to UFH and ongoing crisis at the university ✊🏿✊🏻✊🏾✊🏽 #ufh #protest #damage #corruption #student

Getting diagnosed can help improve your quality of life by directing you to the kind of treatment you could benefit from. ✊🏿✊🏻✊🏾✊🏽 #diagnosis #MentalHealthAwareness #union #highereducation

Touch releases hormones like oxytocin, dopamine, and serotonin which reduce stress and improve mood, while also lowering your heart rate and blood pressure.  ✊🏿✊🏻✊🏾✊🏽 #touch #MentalHealthAwareness #union #highereducation

Happy bday FEDUSA GS Ajam! ✊🏿✊🏻✊🏾✊🏽 #union #nteu #fedusa

Social media has long-term effects on brain development and mental resilience. Recommended screentime range from max 2 hours for adults and less than 30 minutes for preschoolers. ✊🏿✊🏻✊🏾✊🏽 #socialmedia #MentalHealthAwareness #union #highereducation

Regular, deep-breathing exercises can encourage brain plasticity, helping the brain to handle stress better over time. ✊🏿✊🏻✊🏾✊🏽 #breathe #MentalHealthAwareness #union #highereducation