Taking care of yourself
Doing any of the exercises we described in the previous section is a good way of taking care of yourself. Making this part of your new routine is a great idea.
Your brain and your body like routines, so it knows when to switch on and off.
This can help you to get more sleep, which will help you to concentrate and do well at school.
It will also help you to enjoy activities and hobbies that make you feel better about yourself.
Eating healthy food most of the time and being active are the best ways to take good care of your body and to make sure your brain grows stronger.
Having fun and nice things to look forward to is also the best way to make you feel good inside. So try to keep doing the things you enjoyed before e.g. sports, dance, drama.
You can also express your thoughts and feelings in lots of different ways to help you understand more about yourself.
Some children find the following things helpful:
- Reading or writing.
- Growing plants.
- Listening to or playing music.
- Drawing or colouring.
Spending time with animals walking out in nature, running, cycling or going to the beach to look for shells are all excellent ideas too.
Quiet time
Sometimes having a quiet place you can go to, like your own room, is important as it can give you a bit more privacy if you want it.
Remember: it’s okay for you to show your sad feelings. Crying doesn’t mean you’re weak.
Don’t worry if you haven’t cried yet, just don’t fight your sad feelings and your tears will come when you are ready.
If you think you might need a bit of extra help see the next page.