Weekly Wellbeing
Thank you, Carers
Did you know that currently across Australia 2.65 million people are providing unpaid care and support to family members and friends who have a disability, mental health condition, chronic condition, terminal illness, drug and alcohol issues or who are frail? This week is National Carer’s Week. On such an occasion I would like to acknowledge those in our CHPS community who care for loved ones. Your continued commitment and support does not go unnoticed. This week (and every week), in light of the role that you fulfil, may you remember to practise small habits to care for yourselves. You being well physically, mentally and emotionally with help you to continue to effectively care for others.
National Mental Health Month
Sunday was World Mental Health Day and fell within what is nationally known as Mental Health Month (Oct). There are a variety of organisations providing a number of online events that address all aspects of mental health, including The Mental Health Foundation of Australia. I particularly liked the ‘Mental Health Calendar’, so have attached it for your viewing. To help your family to connect and practise small things to enhance wellbeing, maybe you could have some fun and create your own version.
Resuming Onsite Learning
In the ‘Community Section’ of this newsletter, I have included a number of links with helpful information in relation to supporting children to return to onsite learning. Below are some practical tips:
- Allow your children to share their thoughts, worries and questions with you about going back to school.
- Try and answer their questions the best way you can. If you don’t know, say you don’t know, but commit to finding out (Check Compass Posts for information or contact the school).
- Be positive about your children going back to school and reassure them that plans are in place to keep them safe.
- Encourage your children to ask their teacher any questions they might have.
- Remind your children that everyone has been at home and it is going to be a new experience for everyone to come back onsite.
- Breathe and/or exercise/sing/dance with your children. We know that these activities significantly help to lower cortisol levels (stress) and increase endorphins (happy hormones).
- Remind your children that you love them and will see them at the end of each day.
- Take one day at a time.
- Try to get to school early. Running late causes stress.
Suggestions to help re-establish routines (if you need to):
- Have set bedtimes and wake up times
- If they don’t already, make sure that your children get into the habit of eating breakfast (hunger effects energy levels and emotions!)
- At home, put your children’s food for the day into their lunchboxes and get them to eat out of them.
- Encourage your children to get dressed in the morning (they could even practise putting on their school uniform and wearing it during school hours)
- Work with your children to pack their school bags (aside from food and drink) the night before. Knowing that they have everything they need will be comforting for them
Some things to watch for encouragement, strategies or fun
The Invisible String Book reading – A great book about how loved ones are always linked together with the ‘invisible string’ of love.
Why not have a sing or dance? ‘Under the sea’ or ‘In Summer’
Julie Reid, on behalf of the Wellbeing Team