fun ways to relax for young people...

As a young person or parent or carer of a young person navigating being in your teens into early adulthood can be a bit daunting, to say the least.
It's like a red rag to a bull when anyone is told to "calm down" let alone when you are figuring out who you are, trying to keep up with school or college work, friends, social networks and so much more...

So if you could be more in control of your mood, and choose when you want to be more calm and relaxed, what could you do?

​Not an exhaustive list, but some useful ideas which I wished I'd know about more about when I was stumbling my way through my teens.

1. Use your imagination - at time when you are in a safe space,  in your mind, with your eyes closed or a dropped gentle gaze (if eye closing is not your thing) and imagine 'your' special place. It could be a place in your imagination, a place you have been or somewhere you visit whilst gaming or reading. This can become your 'anchor' place to recall at times when you need to hold you own centre and stay in your own space. 
2. Take a break - yes it's so easy to be focused on revision, and more revision when in fact to get the most out of your beautiful brain taking regular breaks does aid concentration and focus when you return to your work. Find what works best for you, find friends who can tag along and experiment over time and in different seasons. 
3. Sleep and rest in general - get some, even 30 minutes more will aid you feeling more focused and less stressed. Naps are also a fab way to top up on your ability to feel more rested in the day 20 - 30 minutes is my favourite, what could be yours?
4. Have some cute ways to support yourself - this could be coloured pens, or stationary that makes you smile, Post-It notes around you reminding yourself to go to your special place or that walk outside to give yourself a break. Get a friend to be there at the end of the day to share your highs and lows... again find what works for you.
5. Ask for help - not always as easy at is sounds. And there are always people there in face to face or online life to reach out to. Everyone who has a brain will have at some point in their life, or now or in the future will experience stress. You are not alone - check out some of the organisations listed on our RESOURCES page to get you started. 

Life really is meant to be easy so it is ok to give yourself permission to relax, find more ease throughout your day... 

Image by Haley Phelps @ ​https://unsplash.com/@haleyephelps ​