Glen Education Newsletter

GEKA Bentleigh East

Shining a Light on What’s GOOD and POSITIVE

Stella Ramadan, Early Childhood Teacher

 

Throughout this time, I have tried to look at the GOOD and POSITIVE moments, that have come out of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

We are ALL experiencing additional pressure and increased issues within our nuclear and extended families, however, if we dwell on this, we begin to feel really uneasy and sad. So, what do I do instead?  I move and look for the positive in everything around me and within me. Positive and the good things in my own family include:

  • We share dinner at the dining table
  • We have conversations
  • When we are all at home, we have our designated spaces to work, though at times we do get on top of each other!
  • We have break-out spaces, where we can try to take a break from our ‘work’ areas and sometimes, from each other.
  • I give my children time and attention to talk and share information with me, especially to talk about what may be bothering them
  • Stop and think - be grateful/thankful for a few things each day

 

Not everything is ‘great’ but in those dark moments, I try not to dwell.  How?? 

I am ‘active’ and enjoy movement, whereby I release those ‘feel good’ endorphins.  It is what gets me over the slump/frump feelings.  There is also the Oxytocin, the Serotonin, and the Dopamine - feel good chemicals that are released when we are active.

 

Last week I shared with the children at GEKA Bentleigh East, some things that I do that make me feel happy. These included: 

  • Sunsets.
  • Exercise.
  • Chilly dips.
  • Cuddling my dog.
  • Walking along the beach/nature or walking my dog.
  • Cycling.
  • Laughing.
  • Eating a treat
  • Hugs from my family!

 

 

We engaged children in conversations about what makes them happy too. 

‘Things that Make Me Happy’

  • "When mummy reads me a story".
  • "When mummy gives me cuddles".
  • "Playing with my friends at Kindergarten".
  • "Talking about rescue vehicles".
  • "Nothing".
  • "Riding my bike with my family".
  • "Patting my cat".
  • "Watching my iPad for a little bit".
  • "Playing with my cat and patting my cat".
  • "Having a walk with my neighbour Jess".
  • "Mummy giving me cuddles".
  • "Playing with my Super Mario Lego".

The children are quite resilient and adaptable to change.  I also believe that with the support of their families they will be courageous, brave and strong people to come out of the current pandemic. 

A nurturing, supportive and engaging environment will allow us to grow and develop as stronger people.  We just need to tap into it.

A bit about my ‘fitness community’ that has evolved from COVID-19

During the first wave of lockdown, when gyms closed, I put a call out to people to see if anyone wanted to join me in an online fitness session or two.   I was so excited to see that people were keen!  For months now, I have been offering the following via Zoom, we call it 'Our Fitness Community':  

  • Pilates
  • Strength training - weights or toning
  • HIIT Combo -bursts of cardio with some toning exercises
  • Abdominal workouts
  • Stretching and relaxation

The delivery of these classes is on Zoom and on my private Facebook Group called 'Stellar Fitness Superstars' - please reach out and connect with me if you are interested in joining the fitness community! 

 

The benefits of exercising are many:

It gets people moving and keeps them active.  Their minds get rebooted and it oxygenates their bodies.  Health and well-being are not just about weight loss.  It is about numerous other benefits and that is what I find for myself.  At times I am not functioning and feeling ‘funky’ and after a session I am back to me. It is a reboot for us.  My philosophy around exercise is ‘just keep moving’, whatever you like to do, just move! It does not matter how active/physical it is, just get up or get out there.  Walk up and down your stairs/steps; go for a walk; do some squats at the kitchen bench; and do not get me started about incidental movement!  If you are interested let me know and I am happy to explain.

 

There is also the social aspect of connection – we have all ‘met’ each other (even on Facebook).  My participants communicate with each other; we had a 'High Tea', a 'Wine Hour' and a 'Cooking Lesson' on Zoom. 

The cooking lesson was the best so far! Everyone did not feel like they were in lock-down. We were preparing our own meal under the guidance of one of my other participants, chatting asking questions, having a drink and feeling very relaxed.

 

Even if it is within your 5km radius:

  • when you see someone, make your smile reach your eyes,
  • say hello to someone you are walking past
  • say thank you to the person serving you at your supermarket/store
  • stop and breathe
  • do a box breath – breathe in (as you count to 4) hold your breath (as you count to 4) breathe out (as you count to 4) hold your breath (as you count to 4) and repeat a few times or more.

Try a few of my suggestions above and take a moment to reflect on how you feel.  Take the time to focus on you.   You need you and so do your friends and your loved ones. You are SO worth it and most of all DESERVING!!!!!