Understanding how mind and body connect is something we can help our children learn From knowing how anxiety can make your body feel to finding out what can help you cope with stressful times, these are life lessons that are useful for all of us throughout our lives. Even young children can learn techniques to help them relax, focus or cope with strong feelings like anger or worry.
Research also tells us the importance of sleep, connecting with others, time to do nothing, exercise, good food, and being in nature. Everyone is different and not all of these things will be equally important, and they may also change as we grow. It’s nice to spend time thinking for yourself or with your child about what things truly help you feel more balanced.
Wellbeing resources for all
These resources can be enjoyed solo or as part of a group and can be beneficial to a person of any age (younger children may need a bit of help with some)
Activities
- Creative Ideas by Mind Your Way features a page of fun crafty ideas you can use as a way of getting your feelings out, whether that’s so you can share them with others or just for yourself.
- Ideas for family well-being: activities for all ages using the five concepts of give/learn/be active/notice and connect
Audio/Video
- 3-minute breathing meditation from the mental health foundation.
- Loneliness Playlist A selection of happy songs to lift your mood, along with stories of how they have helped overcome lonely times.
- Stop, Listen and Relax Short relaxing meditations to download and listen to on your phone or tablet
- 5 Ways to Wellbeing by Mind Your Way. A fun resource and video to help you feel positive.
Apps
Wellbeing for preschool children
Having self-care as part of your emotional toolkit from a young age can benefit your child long into their adult lives. By teaching them ways to feel calmer, they are also less likely to feel quite so overwhelmed by their emotions as they get older.
- Barnados Bedtime Stories read by celebrities on Youtube- perfect for young children
Wellbeing for primary school children
Activities
- Make a self-soothe box filled with all the things which make you feel calm, have happy memories or help you distract yourself
- Write a letter to your future self. This service allows you to write an email to yourself with your current feelings and thoughts and have the pleasure of receiving the email 1-3 years later.
Help with getting active
- I know exercise is good for me but I just can’t get started
- Which sport suits my personality? a fun quiz to match your traits with a sport.
Apps and Sleep Resources
- Barnados Bedtime Stories read by celebrities on Youtube- perfect for young children
- Children’s Bedtime Meditations Comes with 6 free bedtime meditations to help soothe you to sleep. Designed for young children but can be enjoyed by all.
- Feeling Good and Feeling Good Teens (age 10-15) Apps. Positive mental training – two free NHS Apps to help you build your mental strength
- Moshi Over 45 hours of soothing sleep stories, music and soundscapes designed to take the pressure off falling asleep. Aimed at children aimed 4+ but can be enjoyed by all.
- For more Apps, including ones designed for specific issues in this age group- please visit our Best Apps Page
Wellbeing for secondary school children
Videos
- Inspiring TED Talks put together by Mind Your Way. A series of talks led by professionals in their field discussing mental health.
- Better Health by the NHS has published a set of videos to help teenagers negate negative thought processes, including those around social media.
- Mental health and self-care for young people: videos on dealing with social media, challenging negative thoughts, and coping with change.
- Mind Plan is an NHS quiz which gives you advice based on you answers to just 5 questions. Each with an option to swap out bits if they don’t work for you.
Activities
- Make a self-soothe box filled with things which help you feel calm, remind you of good times or can distract you if you’re feeling overwhelmed.
- Write a letter to your future self. This service allows you to delay an email for 1-3 years, write your current feelings down, and see how much you’ve grown when you open it.
Apps
- Smiling Mind a meditation app to help to relieve the stresses of everyday life.