Physical & Social Wellness
Photo by Ameen Fahmy on Unsplash
Creativity
"Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun." -- Mary Lou Cook
Creativity isn't just for little kids. It's a way for us to express ourselves in a variety of ways, from crafts and coding to music and drawing- there is no wrong way to be creative! To quote Maya Angelou, “You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” Creativity allows us to look at things differently, which helps us problem solve and "go with the flow" when we are faced with uncertainty or challenges. It also helps inspire and motivate us. Check out some of the suggestions below to have fun and encourage your sense of well being.
The Science of Creativity- Use these empirically backed tips to capture your next big idea. From the American Psychological Association
How to be Creative by Matt Richtel, Illustrations by Christopher DeLorenzo, Animation by Andrew Embury
Makerspace Padlet of Craft Ideas tutorials for a variety of paper and cloth crafts
Comics for Beginners- free tools for comic book artists
Tynker- learn programming and develop problem-solving & critical thinking skills! Ages 5-18
Tinkercad- 3D Coding- a free, easy-to-use app for 3D design, electronics, and coding.
Jigsaw Explorer- free online jigsaw puzzles
Photo by Marcos Paulo Prado on Unsplash
Movement & Exercise
"Exercise not only changes your body, it changes your mind, your attitude and your mood."
Exercise is a scientifically proven mood booster. The endorphins and serotonin released help to reduce depression and anxiety, and can improve self esteem and cognitive function. Whether it's yoga, walking, hiking, dance classes, or HIIT, even 10-15 minutes a day can help elevate your mood and make your thinking more positive.
The Exercise Effect research on why psychologists should use exercise more as part of their treatment, American Psychological Association
AllTrails- Search over 200000 trails with trail info, maps, detailed reviews, and photos curated by millions of hikers, campers, and nature lovers
Geocaching- an outdoor recreational activity, in which participants use a Global Positioning System receiver or mobile device and other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers, called "geocaches" or "caches", at specific locations marked by coordinates all over the world.
Atlas Quest- Letterboxing combines artistic ability with “treasure-hunting” in parks and forests that the whole family can enjoy. Participants seek out hidden letterboxes by following clues to their prize: a rubber stamp—often hand-carved—to stamp into one’s one personal logbook.
Photo by Calum Lewis on Unsplash
Eating & Cooking
"Eating well is a form of self-respect.”
"Research has shown that students are able to learn better when they’re well nourished, and eating healthy meals has been linked to higher grades, better memory and alertness, and faster information processing." (oyf.org) Eating well also helps build self-esteem, improves your overall energy level, and boosts your mood!
Eating Well & Feeling Healthy- What does it mean to eat well? From YouthEmpowerment.com
Healthy Dinner Recipes Under $3 Per Serving- ideas from Better Homes & Gardens
20 Cheap Healthy Dinner Ideas You Can Make in 20 Minutes- ideas from eatingwell.com
Check out these sites for a variety of ideas:
Delish (Check out the recipe for Trash cookies. Not healthy, but so yummy!)
Smitten Kitchen- Recipes that lean heavily on (affordable!) pantry staples like rice, grains, dried beans and legumes.
Many of these chefs offer recipes on their social media accounts:
Chetna Makan- Indian food recipes
Sabrina Ghayour- Persian and Middle Eastern focused recipes
David Lebovitz French Food Recipes- French food and baking recipes
Chef Rick Martinez Recipes- Focus on healthy eating and Mexican cuisine
Marcus Samuelsson Recipes- Ethiopian-Swedish chef who lives in the US.
Chef Sohla El-Waylly Recipes- Easy and delicious recipes. Follow her on Instagram!
Carolina Gelen- Romanian cook with Kosher focused recipes
Photo by David Clode on Unsplash
Sleeping Well
“The best bridge between despair and hope is a good night’s sleep.” — E. Joseph Cossman, Entrepreneur and Author
According to the CDC, 7 out of 10 teenagers do not get the 8-10 hours of sleep they need each night. (cdc.gov) This can affect physical growth, mental development, behavior, and decision making. It can be difficult to shut down our minds at night, but below are some suggestions that will help to hit that mental "reset" button so we can get the zzz's we need!
Teens and Sleep- An overview of why teens face unique sleep challenges and tips to help them sleep better, from the SleepFoundation
Sleep keeps teens on track for good mental health
Calm- a free app you can download to your smartphone