mental-health-children-during-lockdown

1
Mental health for children during lockdown
2
Our emotional and psychological wellbeing is
being tested by COVID 19 and its so important
that we take time to focus on our mental health.
Talking to children about mental wellbeing is
healthy and helpful and this piece is aimed at
explaining some of the current strains as well as
offering some advice and suggestions on how we
can all look after each other during this
challenging period.   Further advice for
parents is available via The Wither Slack Group
who are running a series of webinars intending to
ensure that parents, careers, and professions get
the support they need whilst at home.
3
How to look after your mental health during the
lockdown
These are very unusual times were in. If youd
told me a month ago that I wouldnt be allowed to
pop to the shop to buy myself a cheeky chocolate
bar whenever I fancied one or that children
wouldnt be allowed to go to school, I would
never have believed you. But here we are
spending a lot of time together at home!   A lot
of people are struggling with the new rules and
the huge changes to their normal routines and
sometimes being at home with your family can get
a little challenging. During all of this, we must
look after ourselves physically and mentally.
Everyone has good days and bad days and your mind
needs looking after just as much as your body. If
you hurt your leg, you can feel the pain
sometimes you can see the pain. When youre
struggling with your mental health and youre
feeling low or worried, its not visible and
sometimes its hard to describe. You might have
experienced feelings of confusion or sadness
yourself recently. You might also have seen or
heard your parents struggling. They might be
feeling stressed or anxious about whats
happening in the world its not been easy
recently! When youre spending time indoors with
your family, it might help to have some tips on
how to look after each other emotionally. Below
is a shortlist of things you might like to try to
stay positive.
4
Our tips for positive mental health during the
lockdown.
5
1. Create a timetable for your day   Knowing
what youre doing each day and when you intend to
do it will help keep the structure and routine in
your life. Map out when youre going to get your
schoolwork done, when youre going to stop for
lunch or have a snack, when youll do your
exercise, etc. This will allow your other family
members to get their work done too! You can use
this handy online template to build your schedule
or design and handwrite your own.
2. Get some exercise   Get out for your daily
exercise, make use of your garden (if youre
lucky enough to have one) or find an online
workout to get your heart going. Joe Wicks PE
sessions are hugely popular with both adults and
children, as are Cosmic Kids Yoga sessions.
6
3. Talk about how you feel   Its ok to feel
bored and, understandably, you might feel worried
at times. Some days you might be feeling super
chirpy. Talk to your family about how youre
feeling and make plans together to increase the
positivity.
4. Plan for the future   Spend some time
thinking about what youd like to do when the
lockdown is over. Perhaps dedicate a jar or box
to your ideas each time you think of something
(go for a picnic, take a train to somewhere new),
write it on a piece of paper and pop it in the
box. When the lockdown is over, you and your
family members can take turns to pull out a
suggestion and make a plan for that day!
7
5. Be kind to each other   Remember that
everyone is having good days and bad days and
some encouragement from each other goes a long
way. Compliment a member of your family or tell
them something positive about your day. Give
hugs, leave secret special notes for people to
discover, ask someone how theyre feeling. All
these things will help.
6. Give each other space   Living in such close
confines can be challenging! Maybe your schedule
for the day needs to include some solo downtime
where you get a little break to be alone.
Remember that the people around you might like
some alone time too.
8
7. Get creative with ways to unwind   Your day
should include downtime where you get to relax
and have fun. Play games together, get arty, try
finding a new hobby. Find a new book to grab your
attention the World Book Days extracts page
might introduce you to something or someone new.  
8. Practice some mindfulness.   Practicing
mindfulness encourages you to focus on relaxing
your body and mind. There are plenty of mindful
activities you can try some more active than
others. From coloring to meditation take a
moment of calm. Headspace offers fantastic
mindful sessions for children allowing moments of
peace and stillness. Look out for our free
meditation and mindfulness courses about to be
released!
9
9. Remember happy memories   Take some time to
reflect on the past and share some happy
memories. Now is a great time to pull out the old
photos, create a memory book, share your favorite
moments.

•  
• Offer to help out around the home
•  
• Your parents LOVE a little help around the home
  and now more than ever you can make a big
  difference. Keeping your room tidy, offering to
  help out with the chores, looking after the pets,
  supporting your younger siblings with their
  routines and chores these things will all be
  much appreciated!

10
11. Reach out to family members you havent seen
in a while   It can be hard to keep in touch when
you cant see each other regularly. Make use of
the wonders of modern digital technology and get
in touch with the aunties, uncles, grandmas,
grandpas, and cousins that you havent seen for a
while. Why not try virtual game playing set up
the monopoly board in two households and enjoy
some healthy competition across homes!
  12. Keep a journal.   This is a time that you
will never experience again. Its a time in
history that people will look back upon and learn
greatly from. In the past, we have learned from
peoples diaries and journals of their
experiences. Write daily, write about your
thoughts and feelings and the things that happen.
All of this is important.
11
13. Photo-journaling.   This is another
incredibly powerful way to record this moment of
living history. If you have access to a device or
a camera then take photos of your family, record
what you see when you are out on your daily walk-
so many things are strange and unusual that an
excellent way to be a historian and record this
is by taking photos.  
14. Join in or learn something new.   Make use
of free courses and classes. Elite Tutors Sussex
are about to launch meditation courses, spelling
course and an after school choir along with Dr.
Seuss read along and a creative writing course
too!
12
Remember that things will get back to normal and
youll be able to see your friends and extended
family again, hopefully soon! Use these days to
enjoy being together as a family remember it
for the fun you had and the kindness you showed
towards each other. by Emma Rickaby QTS- one of
the best tutors in brighton at Elite Tutor Sussex
Ltd.
Thank you for visit- Contact us-
447911123456 Visit website-
https//elitetutorssussex.com