"Find a way to get out of your own way." Many of you have heard me say this before...When we begin to focus on our negative thoughts, they get bigger- which changes our mood and impacts our behavior. When we start to have negative thoughts, remember to challenge them. You matter!
You deserve to be happy! If you are struggling to challenge these emotions on your own you can:
*talk to a friend or a trusted adult
*exercise- you don't need much space to do push up's, sit-ups, wall sits, or jumping jacks
*look up funny videos on youtube (appropriate ones, of course)- if you find some good ones, please share them with me! I love a good laugh!
*play a game of cards- if you have siblings, SPOONS is a good one!
*organize your things-this is an area of your life that you have control over, it sometimes feels good to know where everything is located
*hang out with your pets (in reality, they are the real winners here.... they are always looking forward to some extra time with their favorite humans!)
*draw
*journal/write poetry
*listen to your favorite music (You can even dance to it, it's great exercise!)
*Netflix
*Google how to do something that you've always wanted to try- How many of you can juggle?! How about making Origami? Learn to play the piano? I once knew a student who could complete a Rubix cube in less than one minute....Challenge accepted?!
*ask your parents if they need help with anything (after the initial shock wears off that you are volunteering your time, you might just earn some brownie points! :) )
*Speaking of brownies, eat a delicious treat
*Create a page on Pinterest (with your parent's permission) of all of your favorite things
*research places you would like to travel and places you MUST see while there
*Create a 2023 vision board of your goals...it's a great time to figure out what they are!
*Be old-fashioned and write someone a letter...you know, the ones that go in the mailbox?! :)
*Play board games or cards....or UNO! I know many of you are good at that!
*Read a book
*Do your homework (I hear this one's kind of A biggy)
*With permission, go for a walk/run
*Get outside and get some fresh air! Social Distancing is asking us to remain 6 feet away from others- you could still play PIG, toss around a football, go on a swing set (if you have one), ride a bike/scooter/4-wheeler/ Or my personal favorite-HORSE (all with permission, of course)
*Actually use your phone to call someone to hear their voice-not just text them
*Write your own lyrics to a song
*Create your own dance or learn one- I heard line-dancing is coming back!
*Be creative-make a fort (don't forget to clean it up when you are done)
*Use the materials that you have at home-Improvise to make something fabulous!-Then send me a pic, I'd love to see it!
*For those of you who are allowed to cook or bake, try a new recipe or make a meal to share for your family (which will likely also make your parents happy)
*Write a book or create a documentary of life as an MN student during the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic-you might just make the history books!
*If you have a vehicle, work on it. If you don't already know how, it's not a terrible idea to google how to change the tires, and oil and to add fluids....this will be helpful in your future!