MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING
Mental Health and Wellbeing News
Dear Parents and Carers,
Winter is upon us, and the days are getting very cold. It can sometimes be hard to stay motivated when the weather is so bleak. Consciously noticing the world around you can help bring you back to the present, especially when you’re overwhelmed by stress or emotion. You can practice noticing five things you see, hear or feel through touch to help you be present.
Here are some ways to help you be mindful and continue to practise gratitude with your children.
- Go for a mindful walk/cycle: Set yourself a simple challenge, to be more aware on your outing. What can you hear? Can you spot any animals or creatures along the way? Take note of the colours all around you. Can you find any natural resources to do some crafting with later?
- Do some baking: Baking can be a great way to spend time together. You could make a whole morning out of it. Why not research some recipes, make a list of ingredients, gather all the equipment and share the jobs. Comfort food is so good at this time of year.
- Crafting: This doesn’t need to be complicated. Grab a piece of paper and some pencils, play some interesting music, use things you found on your walk to create a collage or picture.
- Set up a Mindful area at home: This can be so simple yet so effective! Why not make it a family challenge. Decide on a safe place to make your mindful area. This could be in the hallway, corner of the living room or somewhere which suits you best. How will you transform it into a mindful area? You could make a sign for the wall and allocate a cushion or a blanket for sitting on. Set aside a moment each day to pause and practise mindful breathing in your special area. This could even be a cosy spot to read, mindful colouring is a great quiet activity.
5: Games: Try playing this as a game with your child. Sit down with them wherever you are and tell them you want to show them the “notice five things” game. Then look around and tell them five things you see. Let them have a turn. After you play, explain that this can be a helpful game to play, with you or by themselves, if they’re ever feeling anxious or upset. Mix it up sometimes and notice five things you hear instead.
If you would like further information/ideas or have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Deb Owens
Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader