Your Wellbeing Plan
10th-16th May is Mental Health Awareness week. We know how important is to take care of our wellbeing, but often when we are feeling overwhelmed, stressed, low or anxious, it is impossible to think of things that might help us.
This is where a wellbeing plan can be useful. You can create this when you are in a good space, and use it as a resource for those trickier times. You can also support your children to create their own plans. Let’s normalise mental health, but let’s also take actions to support ourselves or get the professional help we need.
Create Your 4 Step Wellbeing Plan
Step 1. “I can help myself by…” Start off by creating a list of activities that you can do to stay physically and emotionally healthy. You can use the NHS 5 Steps to help you:
Connect with others: who do you look forward to seeing? Can you meet up with them physically or maybe arrange a video call? Can you schedule in some family time that is free from TV/mobiles? Maybe by having dinner together or playing a game together.
Be physically active: What activities do you like to do to keep active? Maybe practice some Mini Me Yoga, try a running app like Couch to 5k, or go for a brisk walk in nature.
Give to others: can you get involved in some charity work? Or perhaps bake something that you can share with friends or family?
Learn new skills: if you find you have a lot of time on your hands, it might be a good time to start on a project, master a new yoga pose, or get the children involved in learning something new e.g. cooking, DIY, painting or writing.
Mindfulness: practice some mindful breathing, or bring awareness to the present moment and enjoy all there is to offer. Being present stops us worrying about things that have not yet happened, or re-playing past events over and over in our minds. Practice some Mini Me Yoga Meditation or try out some free videos on the internet.
Step 2. “If I need help I can ask…” Try to name specific friends, family members, or neighbours who you can contact for emotional/practical support.
Step 3. “If I need professional support I can call…” If things are getting really tough, there are lots of professionals who can help. Try noting down some key websites or helplines.
Step 4. “I will tell myself…” Affirmations promote positive thinking and can help in times of need. Note down one or two phrases that you can repeat to yourself, such as “I am strong, I am strong, I am strong” or “even though things are hard right now, I know this time will pass”.
About Fiona Roberts
Fiona has worked with children and families for over 15 years, in various education and support roles. Fiona has a background in Psychology, Early Years Professional Status and a Certificate in Parent-Child Therapy. Fiona works therapeutically with children and parents, promoting healthy attachments and communication within family relationships, as well as supporting families to manage challenging situations through tailored strategies and guidance.
Find Fiona Roberts on Facebook: Mini Me Yoga West London
