Wellbeing

Wellbeing Wednesday: Laughter

/ / Parent/Carer Support, Wellbeing

Tips For Wellness from Dragonfly: Impact Education

A day without laughter is a day wasted – Charlie Chaplin

Laughter is truly the best medicine and can have a hugely positive impact on our mental health. There are even laughter workshops and laughter coaching emerging in many places.

Why is laughing so good for us?

Laughing releases endorphins and relaxes your body and mind. Even if not engaging in full on laughter, smiling relaxes the mind and body. One interesting study suggested that it is actually the belief that the happiest people increase their wellbeing because they smile more frequently.

Our top tips for making the most of smiling and laughter:

  1. Keep It Real! Not all smiles are equal! In 1862, anatomist G B Duchenne noted that a muscle which surrounds the eye is only used in smiles that are real and not those that are posed. It’s these real smiles and laughter than release the endorphins so find things that genuinely make you happy!
  2. Find What Works For You: Our sense of humour is very individual. Some people like slap-stick humour whilst others prefer witty repartee! Don’t feel any pressure to follow the crowd but rather experiment with lots of types of comedy until you find something you like.
  3. Your Thoughts Matter: It’s really difficult to genuinely laugh or even smile if our thoughts are unhappy, so try to challenge negative thinking. Reframe this kind of thinking to positive (or neutral) thoughts and smile. This sends a signal to your body that everything is OK. It can be helpful to have a bank of happy thoughts that you bring to mind if you catch yourself in a negative spiral – things that always make you feel positive: loved ones, pets, beautiful experiences or views

Please contact [email protected] for information and advice about mental health and well-being for your child and your family.

Wellbeing Wednesday: Stress Awareness

/ / Parent/Carer Support, Wellbeing
Tips For Wellness from our Mental Health In Schools Team

Stress Awareness

Stress is what you feel when you’re worried, nervous, or under pressure. It’s your body’s way of
reacting to things that feel difficult, scary, or too much to handle. Everyone feels stressed sometimes!
Stress can come from lots of things, such as:

  • School – too much homework, exams, or feeling like you have to do really well.
  • Friends – disagreements/ arguments, bullying, or feeling left out.
  • Family – disagreements/ arguments, moving house, or changes like a new baby in the family.
  • Big Changes – starting a new school, growing up, or losing someone you care about.

Some stress can be good, but too much can cause us to feel anxious or depressed, which might
affect our sleeping, eating habits and general wellbeing. If stress is going on for a long time, we may
also experience ‘burnout’, which is when our body is exhausted and has not had a chance to rest.
There are things we can do to help our body recharge and reduce stress:

Our tips for managing stress:

  • Talk to someone you trust. This helps you not to feel alone, because someone is there to listen
    to you and to care. Remember – it’s okay to ask for help!
  • Stress bucket activity – follow the QR code/link to complete your own stress bucket. This may
    help you to see what is contributing to your stress, as well as what helps you to feel calmer.
  • Moving your body can help to release stress and make you feel good. Why not try dancing to
    your favourite song or going for a walk with friends or family?
  • Get creative – Art has been found to help people feel present in the moment and reduce the
    feeling of stress and worry. Follow the QR code/link for more information!
  • Create a calm corner – It is important to have somewhere that you feel safe, and you could go
    there when you feel like you need a break. You could fill the corner with soft things like pillows
    and blankets, and is the perfect place to read, draw, or even listen to calming music!

Please contact [email protected] for information and advice about mental health and well-being for your child and your family.

Wellbeing Wednesday: Be Active

/ / Parent/Carer Support, Wellbeing

Tips For Wellness from our Mental Health In Schools Team

Be Active

Moving our body every day can boost self-esteem, improve quality of sleep, contribute to better
social skills and reduce feelings of anxiety. When we feel anxious, our bodies can experience the
‘fight, flight, freeze’ response. Our hearts beat faster, we sweat more, and our muscles tense;
physical activity can help release these feelings!

Our brain also releases chemicals when we exercise, called endorphins, that make us feel good.
Even just 10 minutes of fast walking can contribute to mental alertness, increased energy and
positive mood.

Being active may be new to you, or you may already exercise regularly. Try to find an activity that
you want to do, and you find enjoyable. It’s okay if you aren’t sure what this is yet, have a go at
experimenting and why not start by checking out our ideas for being active below?

Our tips for being active:

  1. Add extra movement to your regular routine – Can you change the way you travel to school?
    Could you walk or cycle to your friend’s house, instead of travelling by car? If you need to use
    the car, think about parking further away to get some extra steps in!
  2. Try a new sport or activity – This is a great way to improve your sporting ability, but also an
    opportunity to make new friends and feel part of a team.
  3. Dance to music – Whilst it can be a good idea to join a sports club if you enjoy this type of
    activity, we can still be active whilst listening to music and having fun! You could dance to your
    favourite playlist whilst you are tidying your bedroom or helping your parents/carers around the
    house…you might even forget you are doing chores too!
  4. Get outdoors and move your body in the fresh air. If the weather is cold or rainy, why not try
    Zumba, hula hooping, skipping, or yoga.

Please contact [email protected] for information and advice about mental health and well-being for your child and your family.

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