“Aughh” I hear you say
…and no, I don’t mean a ‘permanent wave’!!
I mean a PERM: Positive emotions, Engagement, Relationships and Meaning.
P: Positive emotions – thinking about the positive ‘self-talk’ we looked at recently and how this has an impact on your emotional state.
Try to find three things to be grateful for every day, three positive words to describe yourself, and last but certainly not least, three positive things to say to someone else. These steps are training yourself to create and increase your own positive emotions.
E: Engagement – engage in and pursue your passion – do what you love doing over the half term. I know you all have some homework to do AND self-care is important too. Part of self-care is doing the things you love or enjoy.
R: Relationships with friends – keep investing in these over the holidays, even if it’s just to touch base and say “Hi, how are you?” Spending quality time with friends and family creates positive emotions, and builds on your self-care. Watching a movie together or inviting a friend to meet up for a hot chocolate; spending time just being with others increases our sense of belonging and self-worth: there doesn’t have to be any agenda.
M: Meaning – make time to make a difference by lending a helping hand, volunteering or supporting local charities and fundraising events. Help others, friends or family or even help someone in the street by smiling at them as you walk by. You can make a difference to someone’s day by smiling or holding a door for them. By helping others to have positive experiences, you increase your own, and create more positive emotions and a greater sense of wellbeing.
