Dan, our Primary Counsellor, shares ten contemplative tips and some more useful resources to help everyone through the MCO.
"Welcome back to term 3 everyone. I’m heartened that the Alice Smith community is coming together at a time when we all naturally feel a little fragmented, and that parent / child feedback has shaped new online offerings this term. I’m also glad there’s flex in the system enough to recognise that your child’s wellbeing and mental health will be just as important as their academic progress in coming weeks. Do keep that in mind, every single day. Very little is going to feel ‘just so’ right now.
Recognise that your child’s wellbeing and mental health will be just as important as their academic progress in coming weeks
In this age of connectivity, social media and smartphones, the last few weeks have taught us just how vital it is to see each other in person. Whilst we are all benefiting from the ability to stay in touch virtually, we are realising what is missed when we can’t be in the same room, walk down the same street or sit across from each other in the local coffee shop. On the flip side, we’ve become more aware of the need for solitude and how our natural daily flow in and out of the lives of those we love, facilitates a natural gratitude for their presence after the absence of work, school or play. We’re perhaps somewhat caught in a liminal psychological space of craving both contact and solitude. Try the ten contemplative tips below to avoid falling in the gaps."
A contemplative rhythm for Covid-19:
- Wake with the sun - There is no purer light than what we see when we open our eyes first thing in the morning.
- Sit - Mindfulness without meditation is just a word.
- Make your bed - The state of your bed is the state of your head. Enfold your day in dignity.
- Empty the basket - Do the laundry without resentment or commentary and have an intimate encounter with the very fabric of life.
- Wash your bowl - Rinse away self-importance and clean up your own mess. If you leave it undone, it will get sticky.
- Set a timer - If you’re distracted by the weight of what’s undone, set a kitchen timer and, like a monk in a monastery, devote yourself wholeheartedly to the task at hand before the bell rings.
- Rake the leaves - Rake, weed, or sweep. You’ll never finish for good, but you’ll learn the point of pointlessness.
- Eat when hungry - Align your inexhaustible desires with the one true appetite.
- Let the darkness come - Set a curfew on the internet and TV and discover the natural balance between daylight and darkness, work and rest.
- Sleep when tired - Nothing more to it.
You read Dan's 'Thought for the day' on the #KLASSBlog as well as access other lists of useful resources.
Resources
Useful Articles:
- SEL during Covid Some thoughts from educators about the balance of Socio-emotional learning and academic progress right now.
- Meditation tips during lockdown some useful meditation tips
- Zoom exhaustion is REAL some tips on managing zoom fatigue from the Mindful crowd
- Free guide to living with worry and anxiety amidst global uncertainty Multiple language options here from psychology tools
- Wellbeing activity ideas for parents and kids From Place2Be
- Working from home survival kit Who knew there was such a thing!
- Navigating the new reality A nice short article from COIS on resilience
- Self care ideas From the Anna Freud centre
- NSPCC Keeping children safe - depression and anxiety (Read down to the first ‘donate’ button)
- Coping with tantrums Good advice from the NSPCC
- Working from home More good advice from the NSPCC
- Looking after yourself in isolation Advice from Young mind
- Is anyone else just barely functioning right now? A refreshing piece from Self.com
- Making mindful breathing fun for kids Great resource for primary kids from Mindful schools
- When a child's emotions spike how can a parent find their best self? Good stuff from KQed
- The Calm Zone Toolbox A useful bunch of ideas from Childline
Educational resources
- http://www.amazingeducationalresources.com/ A huge spreadsheet full of free educational resources
- https://amaniproject.org/athome/ (musical tasks for breakout time)
Videos
- Guided loving care meditation with Sylvia Boorstein
- The Bird Song Opera Why not!?
- Coping with coronavirus Some short videos from Harvard
- 5 mental habits to build during uncertain times with Judson Brewer
- Free yoga classes with YogaEd
- 20 min Qi Jong a nice way to start the day
- It's ok to feel overwhelmed - here's what to do next Ted Talk with Elizabeth Gilbert
- Kids give the best motivation Sit back and enjoy!
- Missing out on the pub! For your light relief - I think she speaks for many!
Audio (Poems)
- Praise the rain Poetry and discussion with Joy Harjo
- The Peace of Wild Things Discussing Wendell Berry’s poem
- Wild Geese A brief reading of Mary Oliver’s iconic poem
- Let this darkness be a bell tower read by Joanna Macy
Audio (Podcasts)
- Soft back, strong front, wild heart A Brene Brown podcast
- How can we be present to the world? Another podcast from the OnBeing team
- What good is randomness? An interesting podcast on fate
- At home, frustrated and stressed… A podcast from the OnBeing team
Apps:
- Headspace The original mindfulness app!
- Calm Image rich mindfulness
- Insight Timer A personal favourite
- Inner Explorer For family mindfulness
- GoNoodle Movement games for kids to break up the day
- Better Kids wisdom games Free games!
Online Meditation Courses
- Breathworks online Mindfulness course Sound teaching from one of the original online mindfulness providers
- Free online mindfulness class for kids From Mindful Schools