We’re almost at the end of the Blogging from A-Z Challenge! Every day throughout April (except Sundays) I’ll be posting a range of ideas and tips for keeping your family entertained at home. It will include arts and crafts, games, learning ideas and imaginative activities for all ages. I thought it would be particularly useful while we’re all self-isolating or socially distancing, though it can be used for any time of year.
Letter “Y” is for Yoga and Your Well-being. During these stressful times, it’s important to practise self-care and to take time to relax and unwind. Holding onto stress can be bad for both our mind and body, but luckily there are many things that can help, such as yoga, mindfulness and meditation.
Yoga
Yoga originated in India several thousand years ago. The various stretches and poses improve flexibility, balance and core strength, and the breathing techniques involved can also help to lower stress levels.
- Yoga with Adriene is a popular class for beginners and more advanced yogis on YouTube. Try the complete beginner’s video.
- There are lots of free classes you can join on Facebook. Try SooYoga or Lavender Life Yoga.
- One of my favourite book bloggers, Oliva from Olivia’s Catastrophe, recently shared her Top 10 Favourite Yoga Poses. Her strength and flexibility are certainly something to aspire to!
- Mindfulness with Zah on Youtube has some really useful videos, including one yoga session you can do in under 5 minutes.
- YogaBeez are offering free online yoga classes for kids and families on Facebook. Cosmic Kids Yoga on Youtube is brilliant too.
- Try the Down Dog app, which is free until June 1st.
Other Relaxing Activities
- Check out the NHS guide to Mindfulness. Mindful.org also has lots of helpful information for getting started with mindfulness.
- Try donothingfor2minutes.com for a daily dose of calm.
- There are lots of beginners meditation sessions on YouTube or try Hand-Holding Human on Facebook.
- Try painting, drawing or colouring books.
- If you find that uplifting scents help your mood, try an aromatherapy rollerball on your pulse point (I like the Tisserand ones) or a body spray. I’m a big fan of the My Mood range available at Boots. You could also try candles and oil burners.
- Take a walk through a park or woodland if you are able (but please take care to distance yourself from others and wear a mask if possible).
- Write down your thoughts in a journal.
- Listen to relaxing music.
- Watch a feel-good film like Singin’ In the Rain.
- Have a pampering session-see my P is for Pampering post for ideas.
Mental Health Resources
If you’re struggling with feeling stressed, anxious, or depressed, please do reach out to someone for support. You don’t have to go through this alone. My Twitter DMs are always open to anyone who needs a chat. The resources below may also be useful.
- Visit the NHS Anxiety Self-Help Guide or the Every Mind Matters site for expert advice.
- Follow Mind on Facebook for useful tips.
- If you need urgent help, please call one of these mental health helplines.
Have you ever tried yoga? If so, what’s your favourite yoga pose? Do you practise any of the other relaxing activities? How have you been feeling lately?
I have a very limited flexibility, so yoga is just not for me ;))
Y is for Young
Me too. I can only do very gentle stretches. In general, I prefer faster-paced exercise such as zumba because my patience is limited!
I love yoga. My friend is doing yoga with her 4 yr old right now and she found a Frozen yoga routine where they re-enact the movie and he loves it.
That sounds so much fun! I would get my four-year-old involved if she could sit still long enough.
I love doing Yoga 🙂
An A-Z of Faerie: Krampus
I’ve never gotten into it before. Trying now but I’m not very good at the breathing techniques.