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:
- 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! - 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. - 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! - 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.