Well being Clair Breen counsellor@thekingshospital.ie 1 Well being - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Well being Clair Breen counsellor@thekingshospital.ie 1

Well being u The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines mental health as ‘a stage of wellbeing in which every individual realises his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully and is able to make a contribution to her or his community. Clair Breen counsellor@thekingshospital.ie 2

Stay resilient when times get tough Wellbeing Build social supports and self- helps us: efficacy Emerge from our challenges even stronger, knowing we have the ability to cope with adversity. Clair Breen counsellor@thekingshospital.ie 3

What can we do to improve our wellbeing? Clair Breen counsellor@thekingshospital.ie 4

Finding your strengths and using them Love of learning – study, Kindness- find a way to start reading a new book help others in need, about something that challenges you Creativity – jot down ideas Humour – try out some new for a script or book, take jokes on friends/families pictures or make drawings Appreciation of beauty and excellence – walk Hope – connect with somewhere new, start an people who are vulnerable, online book group or film group Clair Breen counsellor@thekingshospital.ie 5

Flow – can happen in whatever it is that you’re completely absorbed in – something that requires you to extend/challenge yourself, such as: Solving Painting Gardening Inventing puzzles Playing Playing Playing Doing yoga chess, cards sport music Writing, Drawing, Dancing reading designing Clair Breen counsellor@thekingshospital.ie 6

o Mindfulness and meditation – Mindfulness is about being in the present moment, without making judgement. It allows us to experience our body and feelings in each moment with acceptance and helps free us of mental ‘clutter’. Clair Breen counsellor@thekingshospital.ie 7

MINDFULNESS There are thousands of guided examples online and apps built for this such as: Insight Timer, Headspace, Calm and many more Just breathe – find a quiet space, spend a few minutes noticing your breathing, feel your breath entering and leaving your nostrils, feel the rise and fall of your belly as you breath. Clair Breen counsellor@thekingshospital.ie 8

MINDFULNESS Body scan meditation: find a quiet and u comfortable space. Start with your breath as a focus, and then slowly move through each part of your body starting with the tips of your toes, paying particular attention to the way it feels and whether there’s any tension there. Take some breaths and feel the muscles in that area relax. Move onto the next part of your body until you work all the way up to your facial muscles and the top of your head. Clair Breen counsellor@thekingshospital.ie 9

MINDFUL WALKING u Have a walk outside: take time to notice aspects of a place in detail. Feel the sensation of your feet as they strike the ground. Feel the air on your skin. Take some deep breaths. Notice the smells around you. Try to stay in the present. Let other thoughts go and enjoy this moment. Clair Breen counsellor@thekingshospital.ie 10

YOGA u Yoga uses a series of postures and breathing techniques to help us exercise, relax and meditate. There are lots of free Yoga classes online. Clair Breen counsellor@thekingshospital.ie 11

GRATITUDE is about giving thanks and celebrates life’s good things. It helps us build positive emotions. Clair Breen counsellor@thekingshospital.ie 12

What are some things that make you happy? What kind of things inspire you? GRATITUDE: What are the things (or people) who nurture you? What experiences and thoughts do you want more of? Clair Breen counsellor@thekingshospital.ie 13

HOW DO YOU EXPRESS GRATITUDE u Slow down and appreciate some simple things u Say thanks to others often (and do it with authenticity) u Writing a note to someone in your life who has done something helpful or special u Connect with the great outdoors u Each night - write down three good things that happened in your Clair Breen counsellor@thekingshospital.ie 14 day

LIFESTYLE: EXERCISE DIET SLEEP Clair Breen counsellor@thekingshospital.ie 15

EXERCISE Exercise – walking, running, dancing, sport Mix it up: If you vary the type of exercise and place where you do it, you’ll stave off boredom, try using music as well. Clair Breen counsellor@thekingshospital.ie 16

DIET u good nutrition is important for our health and wellbeing: u Eat fresh fruit and veg every day (make veg the biggest portion on your plate) Clair Breen counsellor@thekingshospital.ie 17

SLEEP u Recommended sleep times for teenagers is 8 to 10 hours and for adults 7 to 9 hours Clair Breen counsellor@thekingshospital.ie 18

u Getting a good night’s sleep, you can SLEEP try: u Making your bedroom an environment that is stress free u Keep regular times for going to bed and getting up u Getting some sunlight during the day u Try a calming bedtime routine. Warm bath, drink warm milk, herbal teas u Take away all electronic gadgets like phones, tv’s and computers u Meditating last thing at night or writing in a gratitude journal Clair Breen counsellor@thekingshospital.ie 19

Clair Breen counsellor@thekingshospital.ie 20