Taking
care of yourself is taking care of your ward!
We as carers must be mindful
of our own health and well-being so that
we are in the right spirit to care our young
ones.
Since
a month and more, due to the sudden outbreak of COVID-19, we are compelled to stay indoors. The situation has posed a wide range of hurdles,
especially when there are very young active children at home.
The
current situation is stressful for everyone and it is normal to be anxious and
worried in these testing times. The ASPAM IIS, the reputed Indian High School Sharjah “Well-Being Team” is concerned as we
all are going through a turbulent period.
Here’s what we could do to stay happy
and healthy …
Having
a positive outlook is of prior importance! Train your mind to follow the Growth Mindset rather than worrying
about the difficulties. Engage yourselves in activities that keep you happy. We
have more time at home to spend with our beloved ones. Pick up collaborative
activities where you involve your spouse, children and others. Use technology
to get connected with family and friends across the globe.
Read
a book that you wanted but your daily busy chores never allowed you to do so.
Watch movies, plays and educational videos that will enhance your mood or
skills. Art in itself is relaxing
and therapeutic. Splash
colours over canvases
to express yourself. Involve the small ones with you to create best out of waste. Play is learning
through fun! Board games like Ludo, Chess, etc. are
always entertaining. Lego, building blocks and many more can keep you
meaningfully engaged with your small one.
Go
green! Develop your own balcony gardens to grow plants. Make compost and see
proud you feel about yourself. Involve the children as they will learn a new
skill for a greener planet.
Stay
connected and maintain healthy relationships with friends, family and
colleagues via email, social media, video conferencing or telephone. Effective
communication reduces stress.
Watch
yourself! Check whether you are experiencing tiredness, irritability, disrupted
eating and sleeping patterns, worried about your own loved ones’ health or
trouble concentrating. If yes, it is a result of the current challenge the
entire world is facing.
Express
your gratitude for being able to have sumptuous meals daily, staying safe at
home with the family, being able to connect with others through technology,
etc. Gratitude makes you feel in a better position than many others who are
negatively affected at this moment.
Pray
together! Enjoy the spirit and glory of the festive season – Ramadan!
Think
practical and focus on what you can control. Nobody has control over those
things we can’t. We can maintain physical distancing, wash hands and sanitize
but cannot rub away the pandemic situation of the world.
Always
learn to stay calm! Your worries will reflect on your child’s face.
Emotions
are natural! They surface and pass like a wave. Do not react, rather allow them
to rise and fall in its own natural rhythm. Music is a healer. Every individual
naturally has an inclination towards music be in instrumental or vocal. Listen
to soothing music to remain calm.
Take
time daily to exercise, practice mediation or yoga. Relax yourself through deep
breathing techniques or mindfulness. Take an online Zumba class and see how you
feel.
Develop
healthy eating habits. Our kitchens are the best LABS ever created! Engage in
cooking wholesome meals, try out new recipes that you longed to make or even
let your children partake in the safe cooking experience.
Learning
and growing on our skills in itself is great motivation! Take up online
courses, upgrade your skills and be prepared to get back to work with risen
self-esteem.
As
we do a few things, we need to stay away from some too! Avoid news that is
negative and create worry in you. Instead, follow the authentic news feeds.
Stay
away from people who are pessimists and focus on negatives than a way forward.
Read success stories!
Focus
on what you can do rather than I cannot!
Always
remember … you are not alone! We all are together and battling the same
situation, at some point of time. Concentrate on how you can make it easier and
comfortable for your young ones. Be resilient!
Your
well-being is your child’s well-being!
School
Counselor, ASPAM IIS
