Mental Health for Parents, Children & Staff

Taking care of our own mental health - as well as those around us - is incredibly important during times of change and challenge. 

The links below are full of extremely valuable advice, support and coping strategies:

For Adults

www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters

For Children

www.childline.org.uk/

www.youngminds.org.uk/

This Coping Calendar from Action For Happiness has 30 suggested actions to look after ourselves and each other

Top 20 Mental Health Tips When Self-Isolating:

• Keep your home clean and tidy
• Eat healthily and stay hydrated
• Stay connected 
• Talk to someone about how you're feeling
• Support others 
• Have a daily routine
• Keep a diary or journal of events/thoughts/emotions
• Think/write down reasons to be grateful and thankful throughout the day
• Build physical activities into your day
• Get as much fresh air, sunlight and nature as you can
• Do some work each day
• Make a to-do-list
• Do something creative/artistic
• Read for pleasure
• Build relaxation activities into your day
• Try mindful meditation or yoga 
• Learn something new
• Arm yourself with the facts from a reliable source
• Give yourself a break from being online
• Create a safe/private space within your home

Create a Calm Aid Box

Visit the Calm-Zone part of the Childline website for a host of simple and enjoyable ways to stay mentally balanced and positive. www.childline.org.uk/toolbox/calm-zone

You can use some of these ideas in a home-made mental first aid box. This Calm Aid Box could be filled with notes, drawings or actual objects. 

Try Yoga

Yoga helps to create strength, flexibility, coordination and wellbeing by balancing mind and body. Check out these free and fantastic links:

For Adults

www.yogawithadriene.com/free-yoga-videos

For Children

www.youtube.com/user/CosmicKidsYoga

High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)

If you fancy something a bit more intense, then check out Joe Wicks's range of home fitness videos for children and adults - each lasting 5, 8, 10, 15, 20 or 25 minutes - for your daily workouts.

 www.youtube.com/channel/UCAxW1XT0iEJo0TYlRfn6rYQ

Eat the Rainbow!                                                                           

It is very important to try and eat a healthy, balanced and nutritional diet for good mental and physical health. The NHS Eatwell Guide below is a helpful reminder of what proportion of each food group you should be aiming to eat every day. 

The amazing Change4Life website has lots of further brilliant ideas to support your health and diet: www.nhs.uk/change4life

Trying to eat a rainbow of different fruit and vegetable colours over the day is a fun way of supporting your brain and body.