Family Wellbeing

It is very natural to feel anxious in this unprecedented situation, we wouldn't be human if we didn't!

If you are feeling anxious, take a moment to check in with yourself: stop, take a deep breath in and exhale fully, making a sighing sound as you breath out. Repeat three times. You can also roll your shoulders and stretch your limbs out and give them a shake, to help bring yourself back into your body.

Another way to help anxiety is to bring your hand to your heart and just rest it there while you slowly breath. Give yourself some love! This wonderful practice has been shown to calm the nervous system.

• Resources to help manage yours and your children's anxiety - a guide for parents and carers from SNAP

• NHS tips for dealing with anxiety

• Support for your wellbeing during the pandemic from Mind

If you need urgent mental health support

Contact NHS 111, or the NHS website can help you find an urgent mental health helpline

Recourses that may help:

• If you are worried a child or young person may be struggling with their mental health or has anxiety about coronavirus

• Guidance and top tips on talking to children about the coronavirus, including advice for young people while isolating from Young Minds

• Government advice on looking after the mental health and wellbeing of children or young people during COVID-19. Includes how to look after your own mental health as a parent

• NHS Family Wellbeing Pack during - Covid-19

• No Limits Helplines

• No Limits Service - How can a young person, or someone concerned about a young person, access support from No Limits?

• BBC Newsround has helpful information for children about the coronavirus, including explainer videos you can search for. They also have a 'happy news' section to brighten the day

• Childline 'calm zone' has videos, activities, games, and calming activities to help children who are worried about anything

• Great Ormond Street Hospital 'power of play' hub - for connection/distraction during these times

• Calibre Audio Library is a UK charity that lends audio books and streams books online for anyone who struggles to access print, including children

• Living Paintings (UK) is a free postal library supporting blind and partially sighted adults, children and young people. They make tactile versions of pictures that come to life when fingers feel them

• BBC CBeebies for special needs - resources and help for children with additional needs from the BBC, including sign language with Mr Tumble

• Storyline Online streams videos featuring celebrated actors reading children's books alongside creative illustrations

• National Geographic Kids on YouTube has lots of interactive videos about animals and the natural world

• Many major museums and organisations in the UK and abroad are running virtual tours, for example the British Museum.