Being mindful

There are lots of self-care lists across social media at the moment, all with common messages: have a daily routine, get dressed, eat well and hydrate, and remember life does not have to be lived completely online.

Mental health organisation Birchwood Highland recently delivered professional learning to EIS members around the mental health needs of young people. One way trainers shared of building resilience is for people to develop their own self-care toolkit.

A lot of successful self-care strategies involve a sensory component (touch, taste, sight, hearing, smell, movement). Some ideas include: a soft blanket, hot chocolate, photos of good times, comforting music, lavender oil, a journal, a favourite book, bubbles to blow, which also work on controlling breathing

Ideas from the organisations listed below might also be of some help in compiling your own bespoke wellbeing toolkit. 

Headspace.com offers a free, easy to use meditation guide and app.  A quick sign up process is involved, and there are options to download the app, or receive emails.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, South Glasgow Wellbeing Services offer a range of self-help materials (booklets and videos) to download.

The NHS suggests some breathing exercises for taking a minute to de-stress.

Mental health organisation Birchwood Highland recently delivered professional learning to EIS members around the mental health needs of young people. One way trainers shared of building resilience is for people to develop their own self-care toolkit.