With all that is going on in the world at the moment, we can easily forget to be kind, not only to others but also to ourselves. Here are a few tips that might help to remind you how:-
- Put some dates in your diary to connect to others, plenty of reminders to stay in touch, or get back in touch with friends and family throughout the remainder of this year.
- Get some new stationery, new pens and pencils, some coloured post it notes for your desk/homework space at home. Frame a photo of a much-loved pet, or a family memory – a wonderful holiday or day out memory to sit on your desk.
- Write a ‘real’ letter to a friend, there is much to be said in favour of real letter writing, it is becoming a thing of the past, yet the process is extremely satisfying and very much a positive well-being exercise.
- Good lighting is essential to maintain motivation when working at your desk, so maybe having a desk lamp to light up your work area. At the same time it is also good to think about creating a calm and peaceful space in your room, so maybe have another space which is more calmly lit, maybe with a night light to encourage you to relax after you’ve done your homework.
- Make a pledge to get to know someone new at school. We can still keep our old friends and get to know new people too. Making new friends and new connections is healthy and good for our well-being.
- Make a commitment to talk less and listen more, of course this is not suggesting that you talk too much!! More that when we are talking, we are not able to listen and listening often reveals more to us than talking does. Being a good listener is good for our well-being as it encourages us to care more for others and for ourselves.
- Commit to smiling, smile at someone different every day. Maybe write a little reminder in your homework book. Smiling has a ‘knock on’ effect and always has a positive effect on our own and other’s well-being.
- Buy a pot plant for your room – maybe a Christmas Poinsettia or Christmas Cactus. Taking care of a plant, watering it and making sure it has sufficient light and good soil is a good metaphor for taking care of ourselves.
Best wishes and take care of yourselves.
Emma
