Childrens’ ability to navigate reality is based on their ability to keep themselves charged with positive energy. Part of this is because someone else is entitled to do the dirty job and book the dentist appointment, get the bad phonecall, make a ten dollar note last longer, but part of it is also life itself: kids know life should be fun. What are we here for anyway?
Working closely with children has helped me through some of the darkest days of my life. I have learned to sit back, take a moment and be more child-like. ‘What would my eight-year-old self do?’ I ask myself. Sometimes life’s most complicated questions, have the simplest answers.
Here’s a playful mindfulness tool I have learned by spending time with eight-year-olds and you can try it too when life becomes a bit too ‘adult’.
Avoid Monsters
Be it a werewold, a vampire, your hard-skinned boss or your passive aggressive mother-in-law sometimes avoiding conflict is the sanest decision you can take to protect your energy. Pick your battles, so they say.
by Rory A, Year 3, Honeywell Sch, London© There's A Story
Climb on a lemon tree
Starring at a screen and sitting on a desk for several hours is bad for our brains, our bodies and our hearts. Taking a break for some sort of a physical exercise in the outdoors works wonders, that’s a no brainer. But what if you can spend time outdoors, do something that gives you a smidge of adrenaline and changes your perspective too?
by Matilde d'A, Year 4, Honeywell Sch, London © There's A Story
Ask someone to play with you
Stressful thoughts can persist simply because we have been on our own for too long. Spending time with a real human being whilst doing a real-time enjoyable activity helps us focus on the now and has tremendous benefits for our mental health. Asking a friend out to the movies, sharing lunch with a colleague, taking time to have a meaninful conversation with a family member can have therapeutical benefits for our mental health.
by Finn W, Year 3, Honeywell Sch, London© There's A Story
Go to the loo! Maybe all you need is giant number two…
Checking in with our bodies (are you dehydrated? Have you overeaten? Have you had enough sleep?) is all you have to do. So true, so simple, so duh.
by Malory B & Jessica M, Year 3, Honeywell Sch, London © There's A Story
Try and find a fairy worm in your apple (Maybe it can grant your wish)
Magic is a core element of human existence (think history, religion, quantum physics) yet modern societies have dislocated magic solely in the sphere of fairy-tales and childhood-ness. Why not reclaim magic in our daily lives? Believing in magic not only is vital for our mental health but also is in the core of our existence. What is this saying or maybe instagram quote or something I read online, We live on a blue planet that circles around a ball of fire next to a moon that moves the sea, and you don't believe in miracles?
by Junsei Κ, Year 4, Honeywell Sch, London© There's A Story
This article was first published on the hardcopy version of mantramagzine.com, issue 31
tag:Wonder Wall