Self Care includes:

General Mental Health

Stress Tips 

Journaling

Learning about the Virus

Motivational Help

Family Activities Promoting Mental Health Together

General tips on Self-Care to keep you healthy mentally and physically.

Tip #1: Create a routine!

Here are some helpful steps to create your new at home routine:

• Wake up at the same time, go to bed at the same time (as much as possible!)

• Breakfast, lunch and dinner all around the same time each day (as much as possible!)

• Do your normal "getting ready" routine. Take a shower, brush your teeth, put on clothes to go outside (even if you stay inside). Don't stay in your pajamas all day!

• Create a school space. Your brain will do much better if you're able to have a designated spot to work. Maybe it's at a desk, kitchen table, or outside! Try to avoid your bed- beds are for sleeping! Find that good spot and stick to it. (This will help with focus too!)

• Create your "school" schedule. Your teachers will be working with you on expectations for the school work and how much time it should take you.

• Make a to-do list. This will keep you on track, but also allow you to feel accomplished!

• Minimize distractions. Don't let yourself get lost in your phone or playing a game at a time you need to focus on school work. Set timers if needed!

• Build in breaks throughout the day to relax! You deserve it, after all. (Also, see Self-Care!)

Tip #2: Remember to practice self-care.

It is important that you take care of YOU! Self-care isn't something you achieve. It's like a leaky tire that constantly needs air. It takes work! Self-care is the active participation of enhancing your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health and quality of life. (Bottom line: it's necessary to be a happy functioning human!) Good self-care also allows you to better handle different stressors you may experience.

Everyone needs something different, but make it a goal to do at least ONE self-care practice for you each day. Here are some ideas! (Reach out to a counselor if you'd like more ideas)

• Get 8-10 hours of sleep a night

• Pet/play with an animal

• Stretch and focus on your breathing

• Play an instrument or sing!

• Play a game

• Organize/clean (seriously it works for some people!)

• Go outside! Take a walk (with permission of course), or just sit and enjoy the views, sounds & smells of outside

• Take a shower or bath

• Call/video chat with a friend or loved one

• Journal- what has happened in your day, what are you thinking about, how are you feeling?

• Make a gratitude list- what are you thankful for?

• Do a loved activity

• And SO MUCH MORE! Find what recharges you!

Tip #3: Practice good hygiene!

Your physical health is important more than ever! Follow these steps:

1. Wash hands multiple times a day for at least 20 seconds.

2. Cover your mouth with a tissue when you sneeze or cough and throw away the tissue immediately, or sneeze or cough into the bend of your elbow.

3. Try not to touch your face (eyes, nose & mouth).

4. Do not share food or drinks!

5. Practice giving fist or elbow bumps instead of handshakes. Fewer germs are spread this way!

6. Eat a balanced diet, get enough sleep, and exercise regularly; this will help you develop a strong immune system to fight off illness.

Tip #4: Take some time away from social media.

Taking time away from social media each day is a great thing for your mental health! Too much screen time can bring about some negative feelings or behaviors that may make things more difficult during this time of an extended closure.

*Quick reminder* Be sure to ask questions. Not everything you see online may be correct or factual. Ask questions about what you are seeing online with a trusted adult.

Below are some tips and tricks (that actually work) that you can use to break away from social media:

• Set limits to your screen time. Some phones allow you to set a timer for how long you're on social media apps. Try to make a goal to cut your social media time down! (example, if you typically spend 6+ hours a day on social media, start off by setting a goal to no more than 4 hours. Maybe lower!)

• Turn off notifications. You won't be triggered to keep looking and responding to social media posts if you aren't notified about them!

• Set "phone free zones". Certain areas in your house can be "phone free", maybe it's the dining room or wherever you are doing your school work.

• Put your phone down and out of reach. Leave your phone in another room and put it on silent! Less tempting if you don't see it.

• Delete social media app off your phone. Remove the temptation completely by taking a break from a certain app (or two!)

• Respond offline. It means the world to people when we take the time to text or call instead of messaging, commenting or posting online. Call/Video chat with a friend instead!