Weekly Wellbeing 

PERMAH

One of the key focus areas of the Certificate of Creating Wellbeing that I am currently undertaking is PERMAH Framework. As a Positive Education School, this acronym is likely to be familiar to you, but at this time, I thought that I would draw your attention to it again. I plan to focus on each ‘letter’/’pillar’ each week. 

P = Positive Emotion

E = Engagement

R = Relationships

M = Meaning

A = Accomplishment

H = Health

For more information on the PERMAH Framework, please click on the following link.

Stress and Rest – (part of the Positive Emotion PERMAH Pillar)

I don’t know about you, but sometimes in life, even after I have gone through a stressful event or struggle and know that it is over, I still find it hard to rest and relax. I find that this often happens with children as well. 

It turns out research supports this. In 2020, researchers Nagoski and Nagoski suggested that often our fight-flight-freeze stress response cycle becomes stuck due to a lack of clear signal to our brains that the struggle has passed. In their book ‘Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking The Stress Cycle’, they identify that you have to actually do something to let your body know that your stress has passed and you are safe. 

Below is what they suggest can help. To further explore their suggestions, I have linked in articles/ videos for you. I have tailored them to reflect our current lockdown limitations and mainly included what children can do in the hope that it might give your more insight and that you might try some of these ideas out as a family. I often enjoy doing the ‘children’s activities’ instead of the ‘serious adult ones!’

Physical Activity – Information, resources and videos for adults and children to keep physically active at home

Breathing – Square breathing for kids,12 fun breathing exercises for kids 

Laughter – It is very tricky to link things in that people might find funny. I couldn’t go past  Little Big Shots. It is very funny and at the same time celebrates some amazing children. Disclaimer, make sure that your children don’t ‘try’ some of the activities at home (Like weightlifting!).

Positive Social Interaction – Positive Attention and Your Child

Affection – The benefits of human touch: what are the benefits on our health

Crying – Is crying good for you? The ups and downs of emotional tears

Creativity – Some great ideas to explore with your children at home

Boosting Positive Emotions

I can’t help but end by including a couple of photos that I have taken recently while walking. Did you know that walking in, or observing nature is a great way to boost positive emotion (Fredrickson, 2009, sourced from ‘The Wellbeing Lab’)? Other activities that Fredrickson says boost positive emotions include: playing, listening to music, savouring goodness, being grateful and being kind. I aim to do these things regularly and it definitely impacts my emotions for the better.  Stay tuned for next week when I unpack the next PERMAH Pillar, Engagement (not the ring kind!).

As always, please contact Carol Wyatt if you need support. 

Until next time,

Julie Reid, on behalf of the Wellbeing team