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Mental Health Factile from Erica's Lighthouse

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Mental Health Factile from Erica's Lighthouse

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Classroom Jeopardy Review Game | Buzzer Mode | Factile

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The #1 Jeopardy-style classroom review game now with Buzzer Mode. It’s Free, Easy and Loads of fun! Create engaging Jeopardy-style quiz games in minutes or choose from millions of existing Jeopardy game templates.

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Mental Health Crossword puzzle WITH WORD BANK

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Mental Health Crossword puzzle WITH WORD BANK

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Includes slips of positive affirmations, instructions and two sheets of paper

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Bell Lets Talk Kindness Box_DIGITAL_for yourself

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Has slips of paper to include, instructions and two sheets

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Bell Lets Talk Kindness Box_DIGITAL_for someone else

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Print out only first page and display second for instructions. Then they can make their own books!

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Created by Kat, 2023 from our curriculum. See separate pin for answer key.

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It's editable so you can change it (I think)!

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Teen Mental Health and Wellness Jeopardy!

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When you are overwhelmed, one of our videos gave this as advice on how to deal with tasks. - Break a leg! - Break wind - Break it Down! , Challenges and bad things happen to all of us but successful people almost always have this quality in common, which means the ability to bounce back.

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Self Care quiz handout by Love is Respect (with answer key)

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Self Care quiz handout by Love is Respect (with answer key)

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6 Simple Self Care Tips To Become A Better You

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Self Care Video - how to adult by Hank Green

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Self Care Video - how to adult by Hank Green

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Only good for 7th and 8th grade, over head of younger

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I talk about self-love a lot. It's been my main focus for the last decade and it's something that I'm incredibly passionate about. I created the Foundations of Self-Love to describe what most helped me because there was no one thing that made me love myself (maybe your journey is different).

It's also important to acknowledge that some of us start at different places.

Mental illness changes the self-love journey. Physical illnesses and disabilities change the self-love journey. Child abuse and trauma change the journey. Lack of resources, support, and community change the journey.

Self-love doesn't happen in a vacuum. It's not Point A to Point B. It is such a personal experience. I can't tell you how to love yourself. No random person on the internet can. I can give you the tools I use. I can point you in the right direction (we're all trying to get to the same place right?) but I don't have the magic formula.

Let's talk about the foundations of self-love.

Self-talk, or your inner voice, is the thing that I focus on first. Think of your inner voice like your internal intercom. When you make a mistake - what's the first thing that you hear in your head? Are you on the receiving end of a lot of positive/reassuring/compassionate feedback or does that voice tear you down?

One of the most transformative things that you can do is change how you talk to yourself. Think of what it would be like to live with a voice that's not critical and abusive. Imagine that the voice is comforting and compassionate and gives you grace when you make mistakes and builds you up when you're feeling down.

That's magic, and it's an important foundation of self-love.

Self-Discovery aka knowing what you like.

In my early 20s, my personality was - a blank canvas. There were a few things that were me but the music I liked, my hobbies, most of my interests - they were things that weren't mine. I tried to please other people and that meant mirroring back to them the things that they liked.

I thought "agreeable" was a wonderful personality trait.

Self-discovery means learning what you like and also want you don't like. (And then not budging on those things just to keep the people in your life happy.)

It also means developing goals, hobbies, and interests that fulfill you. When I started loving myself I tried everything I'd always wanted to do. I got a tattoo, listened to all types of music, spent hours in the park writing, and went to a yoga class. I started reading different kinds of books and trying new foods. It was so fun and it will always be one of my favorite parts of my journey.

Managing your mental health.

Not everyone has a mental illness but we all have mental health. Another one of the foundations of self-love involves mental health. When it comes to mental health - some people just need to focus on managing their stress and overwhelm. But for many of us, mental health is much more complicated.

If I hadn't learned how to manage anxiety and depression I do not think my self-love journey would have gone anywhere. My brain was so LOUD. Anxiety was constantly making me question everything and everyone and depression kept me so pushed down with thoughts about how I was useless. I had to fight that battle before I could do anything else.

I will say that all of the things I did in my quest for self-love definitely helped relieve some of the intensity of my anxiety and depression.

Self-Acceptance is key.

You don't have to be perfect to love yourself. It's okay that you are flawed and imperfect. A decade ago, I felt like there were so many reasons not to love myself. I was single, I didn't have a "good" job, and I wasn't happy with my body.

"I will love myself when I am thin."

"I will love myself when I find the love of my life."

There was always a goal post that I was convinced would magically make me love myself. I had no understanding that loving myself would be an intentional act that I had to work at every day.

Boundaries are important.

Cultivating healthy communication and boundaries in your relationships is another thing that heavily influences your ability to love yourself. If our relationships are abusive and tear us down then it's hard to find love within ourselves. It's also important to have support systems and safe spaces because it allows us to mirror those things back at ourselves.

Your environment matters. And that's where boundaries come in. Set them with anyone who tears you down and makes you feel bad about yourself. (Yes, even if they're well-meaning)

I also learned how to set boundaries with my energy, time, and personal resources. I used to give, give, and give, because I thought it would make people like me. I found myself burnt-out, exhausted, and taken advantage of. I had to set healthy boundaries within myself too.

And finally, self-care.

Self-care is the act of showing love to ourselves. You know how when your favorite person rubs your back, makes coffee for you, brings you flowers, or gives you a super tight hug when you're having a bad day? Those things make you feel loved.

Self-care is how we feel love from ourselves. It's any action that makes you feel loved or takes care of your needs. It's not always fun stuff, sometimes it's hard things that make us feel better in the long run. Self-care is bubble baths and setting boundaries. It's facemasks and letting go of toxic relationships. Sometimes it's snuggling up with a blanket to take a break and it's also forcing yourself to do something you've procrastinated on. It's a series of choices that make your life better.

So there you have it! My foundations of self-love! Which one do you struggle with the most?

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The Foundations of Self-Love - The Self-Love Rainbow

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I talk about self-love a lot. It's been my main focus for the last decade and it's something that I'm incredibly passionate about. I created the Foundations of Self-Love to describe what most helped me because there was no one thing that made me love myself (maybe your journey is different).

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Page 19 for self care activities

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Why the teenage brain has an evolutionary advantage VIDEO

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Why the teenage brain has an evolutionary advantage VIDEO

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Why the teenage brain has an evolutionary advantage

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How do you think things might change if you responded to yourself in the same way you typically respond to a close friend when he or she is suffering? This exercise walks you through it.

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Various helpful handouts to print

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Quiz on pages 12-14

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10 Warning Signs of Depression in Teenagers

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Teen depression handout for Lesson 5 slides

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Teen depression handout for Lesson 5 slides

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Must create an account to access

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Stigma-Free Student Mental Health Toolkit

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The Stigma-Free Society is a Canadian Charity registered since 2010 and our mission is to educate and support young people in their mental wellness journeys. We believe that mental health education should be integrated into all classrooms and we are extremely excited to share our new Online Student Mental Health Toolkit to make this goal a reality. Our Toolkit program is made for youth, educators, school counsellors, and parents/guardians, who want to teach and promote mental wellness for Grades 4-7 and 8-12.

In our virtual Toolkit, educators and school counsellors can share documentary videos, mental health topics and personal stories along with interactive components for youth in their classrooms, or at home.

The Student Mental Health Toolkit also contains Mental Wellness Lesson Plans that align with the B.C. curriculum guidelines, section on Diverse-ability and Inclusion, engaging and educational animated videos and comics, specialized section devoted to Parents, Guardians and Caregivers and much MUCH more!

We look forward to your feedback as you navigate through our site - your opinion matters to us and we look forward to working with you.

Thank you for visiting!

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Student Mental Health Toolkit - Teens Corner | Stigma-Free Society

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This version of our Student Mental Health Toolkit is designed for teens in grades 7-12. Documentary videos, inspiring stories, mental health topics and more

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If you really knew me - Iceberg activity

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If you really knew me - Iceberg activity

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Today we returned for a third series of Biology classroom visits at Skyview High...

These weekly visits have allowed us to get to know some students, and build up more understanding of not only what real brains look and feel like, but also how they are made (partly) of current-carrying cells called neurons, which are linked to each other across synaptic gaps, or clefts...

Our teachers in training put together the diagram below:

They explained to students how communication across synapses (Number (6) in the handout, above), from (1) the presynaptic neuron ("pre" indicating the neuron "before" the gap), to (2) the postsynaptic neuron ("post" meaning "after" the gap), occurs chemically, involving the release of a chemical neurotransmitter (4) into the gap, typically after arrival of an electrical current (or action potential) at the presynaptic axon terminal ("terminal" meaning "end" of the axon).

Students could reference their diagram from the previous week to review important components of the neuron...

Drugs, which are themselves chemicals, often act at synapses to disrupt the normal flow of information. Some drugs empty or prevent the transport of neurotransmitters into membrane-bound storage sacks called vesicles (3), or activate or inhibit the reception of chemical information by large, membrane-embedded proteins known as receptors (5)...

Today we began with an art project, to put these many synaptic connections in context, and remind our students of functional neural networks found in different regions of their brains. Jeff Leake introduced everyone to some basic skills involved in working with clay, and how to form an impressive miniature brain...

We had lots of busy classroom activity, early in the morning, with students molding their brains, creating their own unique models, while our undergraduate volunteers from PSU and WSU Vancouver pointed out structure and function relationships in smaller groups...

After building cerebrums, and reviewing lobes, our Noggin volunteers explained the various parts of the many synapses that link neurons together chemically in the brain, including axon terminals, vesicles, receptors, post-synaptic membranes, etc...

Students then participated in a motivated discussion of drugs, including what they are (again, chemicals), where they act (often at receptors, and at other protein "machines" found in our chemical synapses), and how their effects on cognition, behavior, perception and mood relate directly to these actions, and to where in the brain these drug actions occur...

We made use of a wonderful online educational resource from the University of Utah's Department of Genetics, known as " Mouse Party," which illustrates many of the actions of alcohol, cannabinoids (the psychoactive chemicals in marijuana), LSD, ecstasy, cocaine, and other drugs...

Our volunteers brought up dopamine (abbreviated as DA), a neurotransmitter released in specific synapses, in specific brain areas, in response to stimuli that predict the arrival of some kind of reward.

(Image from TreAD lab @ Emory University; http://www.psychology.emory.edu/clinical/treadway/lab/Research.html)

Dopamine release results in motivated behaviors, and we discussed how involved it is in healthy motivations, like bettering your job skills to earn money, or improving your ability to play a sport, or an instrument, to gain social reward, opportunity, the pleasure of a performance, the joys of team effort, and good health...

One serious concern with drug use in adolescents is how decision making networks in the rapidly developing frontal lobes will rewire in response to drug-induced dopamine activity, generating an unusually strong and impulsive drive towards stimuli associated with drug seeking, and drug taking, instead of healthier pursuits...

Chronic drug use also changes the structure of critical dopamine synapses, leading to less overall response in dopamine brain networks that are essential for experiencing all motivation, and drive. This can seriously reduce how much motivation you can experience, and make life far less engaging, exciting and fun...

Many thanks to Angela Fojtik, the Biology teacher who has warmly welcomed us to her classroom, and to Hannah Valenti of GEAR UP, the federal grant providing us with sheep brains (for our upcoming fourth and final visit), pipe cleaners and clay!

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Day Three @ Skyview: Neurotransmitters and Drugs

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Today we returned for a third series of Biology classroom visits at Skyview High... These weekly visits have allowed us to get to know some students, and build up more understanding of not only what real brains look and feel like, but also how they are made (partly) of current-carrying cells called neurons, which are linked to each other across synaptic gaps, or clefts...

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Self Care Rainbow worksheets and handouts

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Self Care Rainbow worksheets and handouts

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Best for older grades

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Mental Health Google Slide for 5th & 6th

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Mental Health Google Slide for 5th & 6th

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 Erika's Lighthouse Level I: WAHMH - ONE-DAY LESSON

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Classroom Jeopardy Review Game | Buzzer Mode | Factile

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The #1 Jeopardy-style classroom review game now with Buzzer Mode. It’s Free, Easy and Loads of fun! Create engaging Jeopardy-style quiz games in minutes or choose from millions of existing Jeopardy game templates.

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Join a game of kahoot here. Kahoot! is a free game-based learning platform that makes it fun to learn - any subject, in any language, on any device, for all ages!

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I had a black dog, his name was depression

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Page 2 is helpful to display in class

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For students to give to others to demonstrate gratitude

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Stick These 30 Positive Self Affirmations On Your Wall To Keep You Going

Hey Guys, each one of us wants someone to praise us or tell us that no matter how difficult life or its tasks are, we can go through them positively. But the best comes out when you yourself become that someone and remind yourself of your own worth. Oh yes! Some of us might find it a little odd but trust me, try your luck with positive self affirmations this time.

Positive self-affirmation thoughts alone are capable enough to improve your mindset and prepare for the coming challenges. Imagine getting up for an important basketball match for the team. Telling yourself 'I will do great' with a deep breath and keeping the same though throughout the day will help you to overcome anxiety and nervousness.

Positive affirmations act as a constant reminder for self-motivation and encouragement. For example, telling yourself 'I am financially happy' or 'I have cleared this competition with flying colors' keeps your mindset positive no matter what the situation is. Even if you are not doing well, your mind will always tell you to push yourself for better.

This is why we have prepared a list of positive affirmations for success and happiness that could be hung on your room's wall or stick on the desktop's wall. Tick mark these affirmations and remind yourself everyday of your love for yourself.

List of Positive Affirmations for Mental Health:

Here are some of the best self affirmations for positivity that you can choose to keep with you and remind that you are more than enough. Ready to find, go on!
Conclusion
These positive self-affirmations are more than required, we understand. So keep praising yourself and keep moving forward. Whether you take these self affirmations for physical wellness or mental, they would always push you for something better. Try to catch with at least 3-4 affirmations each day and you will be able to see the difference in your self-confidence very soon. We are here for any of your further queries in future!
You May Like These Also: Best Self Care Activity Ideas for Mental Health Healthy and Simple Self-Care Practices that You Should Adopt 10 Self Improvement Tips To Change Life

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Stick These 30 Positive Self Affirmations On Your Wall To Keep You Going

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Hey Guys, each one of us wants someone to praise us or tell us that no matter how difficult life or its tasks are, we can go through them positively. But the best comes out when you yourself become that someone and remind yourself of your own worth. Oh yes!

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Have them right down various answers in DIFFERENT squares so that their boards don't look identical.

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Informational Reading Comprehension: Biography of Dorothea Dix | Worksheet | Education.com

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Introduce learners to the American advocate Dorothea Dix with this three-page informational reading comprehension worksheet.

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Magazine series on mental health disorders

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Magazine series on mental health disorders

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A series of 6 magazines designed to provide a quick overview of common mental illnesses for teens. Each resource includes associated supports & resources.

The TMH Speaks ... Mags (SERIES) is available as free PDF downloads, or for purchase through Amazon.

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TMH Speaks ... Mags (SERIES) - Mental Health Literacy

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A series of 6 magazines designed to provide a quick overview of common mental illnesses for teens. Each resource includes associated supports & resources. The TMH Speaks ... Mags (SERIES) is available as free PDF downloads, or for purchase through Amazon.

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You hear it all the time: "This is stressful!" or "I'm stressed!" But what does stress really do to your body? Feelings like nervousness and anxiety are normal-and even sometimes helpful-but feeling them too much or too often can be damaging to your health. Find out what's happening in your body when you feel stressed or anxious, and then try three activities that can help you relax and be well!

Age: 4+
Time: 5-60 minutes
Topics: stress management, physical activity, breathing, exercise
What you need:

Something stretchy - like balloons, gloves, or thin socks

About 1 cup of small grains - like sand, rice, or oats

Paper

Crayons, colored pencils, or markers

What to do:
1. Can you think of a time when you were stressed, nervous, or worried about something? Try to remember what that felt like in your body. Did you have a funny feeling in your stomach, or a tight feeling in your chest? Maybe your hands got sweaty, or your breathing got faster like you were running.

2. When you feel worried or nervous, your brain sends chemical signals that cause changes in other parts of your body. The good news is, your body can send signals back that help calm and manage those feelings. Try out the three activities below that help engage your body's calming response.

3. Keep paying attention to times when you feel stressed or worried, and notice how those feelings affect your body. Use one (or more) of the three activities to calm your body and notice whether your body and feelings change. Which activity seems to work best for you? Do different activities work better at different times, or for different feelings?
Belly Breathing
Breathing from your belly (instead of your chest) stretches muscles near your vagus nerve, a nerve which runs from your head down your neck and into your chest and belly. Activating the vagus nerve sends a calming signal that slows your heartbeat and breathing.

1. If you are trying belly breathing for the first time, start by sitting on the edge of a chair. Lean forward with your legs about hip-width apart and place your elbows on your knees.

2. Let your belly hang down while you take a deep breath. Feel your belly stretch toward the floor as you breathe in, and rise back up as you breathe out.

3. Once you have the hang of it, you can belly breathe from any position. Try it sitting up, standing, or lying on your back.

4. Take three big belly breaths anytime you feel stressed or want to calm your body.
Stress Ball
Repetitive movements like squeezing a stress ball, stretching some clay, or petting your favorite animal can also send calming signals to your brain and body. Here is one way to make and use a stress ball:

1. Pour some grains of sand, rice, or oats into a stretchy container like a balloon, a plastic or fabric glove, or a thin sock. Fill it full, but leave enough room to tie off the end.

2. Tie a tight knot at the opening. If you really want to secure this, slide the knotted end inside another layer of balloon, glove, or sock and knot that layer too.

3. Now give it a few good, hard squeezes while taking some of the belly breaths from the first part.

4. (Optional) If you used a fabric glove or sock, you can also put them in the microwave for about 30 seconds to have a warm squeeze. Using oats smells good too!
Get Moving
Another great way to get rid of stress is to get your body moving. Physical activity lowers levels of two stress-related chemicals called adrenaline and cortisol in your body. Exercise is also helpful for feelings of sadness, because it increases the amount of chemicals called endorphins, which make you feel happier.

1. Think about how much physical activity you get in a day. Sixty minutes a day is the recommended amount, but that 60 minutes doesn't have to happen all at once! It can be broken up into smaller chunks throughout the day and should be lots of different kinds of activities (to help keep you and your muscles from getting bored!) What different kinds of activities do you do to get your body moving?

2. Make a graph like the one below to track the amount and kinds of physical activity you do over two weeks.

3. Color in one square for every 15 minutes of activity you do in a day. Do this every day for two weeks. Use different colors for each square, using the color code below, to see how many different types of activities you perform during those two weeks.

4. Take a look at your graph to see how many days you got at least 60 minutes of activity. The numbers going down the side represent minutes of activity. The numbers along the bottom are days for two weeks.
Color Codes for possible activities What's happening?
Stress and anxiety are part of your body's natural "danger alarm" that looks out for possible threats and prepares you to avoid or overcome them. This alarm system is controlled in a part of your brain called the limbic system. When you sense a challenge or a threat, the limbic system releases chemicals into your bloodstream that provide extra short-term energy and alertness. It causes you to focus closely on whatever the threat is, and pay less attention to everything else. It also causes physical changes in your body, like sweaty hands, a "butterfly" feeling in your stomach, a faster heartbeat, or shallow, rapid breathing. It is sometimes called your "fight or flight" response, because it is preparing your body to deal with the danger by either defending yourself (fight) or getting away (flight).

The right amount of stress, at the right time, is actually a good thing, because it helps you get things done. It can motivate you to study hard for a test, give a great performance at a show or game, or deal with any actual physical danger you might face. The problem comes when your body's "danger alarm" gets activated too often, or by things that aren't actually a threat to your life. Having too much of the stress chemicals in your body can make it harder, instead of easier, to focus and make decisions, and it can cause damage to other systems in your body. This is an example of how emotions like anxiety can get in the way of living a healthy life.

While you can't always control what turns on your "danger alarm" and makes you feel anxious or stressed, activities like belly breathing, exercise, or squeezing a stress ball can help you turn down the alarm and regulate your emotions. In different ways, these activities all signal to your limbic system that the "danger" has passed. The limbic system then sends signals that tell your body to get out of fight/flight mode (for example, it will tell your heart to stop beating as quickly). Decreasing the intensity of the feeling allows other parts of brain, like the area that helps us decide what to DO with an emotion, to get back to work and make better decisions.

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You hear it all the time: "This is stressful!" or "I'm stressed!" But what does stress really do to your body? Feelings like nervousness and anxiety are normal-and even sometimes helpful-but feeling them too much or too often can be damaging to your health.

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You have probably heard about mindfulness before.

After all, it's a pretty big topic lately; even those who are not involved in the world of positive psychology have likely to at least have heard about mindfulness.

As a reminder, mindfulness is "the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we're doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what's going on around us" (Mindful Staff, 2014).

We know that mindfulness is a great tool for adults to be more relaxed, beat their stress, and improve their overall quality of life; but does this hold true for children?

Before you read on, we thought you might like to download our 3 Mindfulness Exercises for free. These science-based, comprehensive exercises will not only help you cultivate a sense of inner peace throughout your daily life but will also give you the tools to enhance the mindfulness of your children, clients, students or employees.

A Mindfulness Definition for Kids

Mindfulness can be defined in simpler, easier-to-understand terms for children. For example, mindfulness expert David Gelles defines it as " the simple practice of bringing a gentle, accepting attitude to the present moment " (n.d.).

Children should find it easy to understand what mindfulness is based on this definition, but you might need to discuss it with them to make sure they have a good grasp on it-especially if they are young.

How Can We Best Teach Mindfulness to Kids?

As is the case for most traits, habits, and skills, the best way to instill mindfulness in children is to start early. Mindful children grow to be mindful teenagers, mindful adolescents, and mindful adults.

In addition to getting started early, it's important to note that the very best way to teach mindfulness to your children is to practice it yourself and model it for them.

What are the Benefits?

Many of the benefits of mindfulness for children are the same as the benefits for adults, including:

However, there are some benefits specific to children, including:

1. Improved cognitive outcomes (e.g., better attention and focus, higher grades).

2. Improved social-emotional skills (e.g., emotion regulation, better behavior in school, higher empathy and perspective-taking, and better social skills).

3. Greater well-being (e.g., lower test anxiety, lower stress, fewer posttraumatic symptoms, and less depression; Mindful Schools, n.d.).

Research and Studies

More findings are coming out on mindfulness in children all the time. Some of the latest and most influential studies on the subject have found that among other things:

Mindfulness-based interventions for children are not only feasible, but seem promising in their impacts as well (Burke, 2009; Greenberg & Harris, 2011).

There is preliminary evidence that mindfulness training can benefit children with anxiety, reducing their symptoms and improving their behavior (Semple, Reid, & Miller, 2005).

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for children (MBCT-C) has been found to reduce symptoms of anxiety and the rate of problem behaviors in children with anxiety and attention problems (Semple, Lee, Rosa, & Miller, 2009).

A valid and reliable measure of mindfulness in children and adolescents was developed by researchers Greco, Baer, and Smith (2011), a measure which correlates as expected with the quality of life, academic success, social skills, somatic complaints, internalizing symptoms, and externalizing behavior problems.

Mindfulness training for children with ADHD and their parents can lead to significant reductions in parent-rated ADHD behavior, significant increases in mindful awareness, and significant reductions in parental stress and over-reactivity (van der Oord, Bögels, & Peijnenburg, 2012).

As more and more research is produced on the subject, we'll surely hear more about the benefits and applications of mindfulness for children.

12 Mindfulness Activities and Exercises for Kids

If you're interested in tapping into some of these benefits for your own children, you'll probably want some tips and techniques to get them started on the right path. Read on to learn about ways you can incorporate mindfulness into your children's daily routine.

3 Mindfulness Activities for Preschoolers and Toddlers

Breathing exercises are a great way to introduce very young children to mindfulness practice. Give one of these three breathing exercises a try with your toddler or preschooler.

1. Breathe with a Pinwheel

First, grab two pinwheels-one for yourself and one for your child. Next, follow these five steps:

2. Square Breath

A square breath is a breath that is even on all sides, and it can be useful as a mindfulness exercise for both you and your child.

Here's what to do:

To help your child keep track, show them how to draw a square in the air with their finger, taking four seconds on each side (Roman, n.d.).

3. Darth Vader Breath

This fun breathing exercise will keep your child engaged and interested.

Follow these steps to give it a try:

1. Breathe in deeply through your nose.

2. Keep your mouth closed and exhale from the back of your throat, making a "Darth Vader"-style noise as you do.

3. Show your child how to do it, then practice it with them.

This simple exercise will help your child focus on their breath and stay fully anchored in the present (Roman, n.d.).

To learn more about activities you can incorporate into your curriculum, check out this resource from Mindful Moments in Education.

4 Tips to Teach Mindfulness in Kindergarten

If you're looking to teach mindfulness to children in your kindergarten class (or to children around kindergarten age), try these four tips:

5 Mindfulness Games for Kids

These five games from Chris Bergstrom (2017) at BlissfullKids.com provide you with an excellent opportunity to introduce your children to mindfulness and help them practice it.

1. Balancing on One Foot

This exercise is for children 3 and up, and all you need for it is your body!

Here's what to do:

This is a simple game that can help your child develop her focus and improve her body awareness as well as giving her a chance to practice mindfulness.

2. Jenga

Have you ever played Jenga? If so, you know that it can be a lot of fun but that it also requires concentrated attention and awareness. Take advantage of that fact and use Jenga to build your child's mindfulness.

To make the game into an exercise, play two ways:

1. First, play the game while your child is distracted. Allow his mind to wander and engage him in conversation or activities that take away from his focus on the game.

2. Next, help your child cultivate a calm and clear mind through mindful breathing, and play again.

After you play the distracted version, engage your child in a discussion about it; does he know what made him lose focus? Did certain thoughts or emotions distract him and ruin his concentration?

After you play the calm and clear-minded version, discuss again; did he have an easier time paying attention? Did the mindful breathing contribute to better focus?

This game will help your child see the advantages of being mindful and encourage him to work on his own mindfulness.

3. Pennies Game

This game is good for children 3 and up and can be played one-on-one or with a group. All you'll need to play is a penny for each player and a basket.

Here's how to play:

The penny game can be played with other objects too; the important part is that the children playing are able to focus in on something and pay attention to detail.

4. Balancing Relay

The balancing relay game is good for children 5 and older. If you've ever seen or participated in an egg and spoon race, you'll recognize this game.

You will need a spoon and some water or a spoon and a potato for each team playing.

Split your group into teams (two teams might work best, but you can always do a few smaller teams) and give a spoon full of water to each team. Challenge them to carry their spoon to the next person on their team without spilling any of the water.

To make it even more difficult for older children, have them walk backward or sideways instead of forward.

This game will encourage your children to develop greater awareness, enhance their focus, and stay grounded in the present moment and in their own body.

5. Simon Says

An old classic, this game can help children practice mindful seeing, mindful listening, and greater awareness. It's good for children 4 and up and all you need is some space to move around in.

Here's how to play Simon Says:

Once you finish the game, talk to your child(ren) about how hard or easy it was to follow the instructions and pay attention to the "Simon Says" at the beginning. Discuss the importance of paying attention and being present.

4 Mindfulness Worksheets for Kids (Incl. PDF)

While children generally appreciate opportunities to play games and practice fun exercises more than filling out worksheets and answering written questions, there are some helpful worksheets that can both keep them engaged and encourage them to be more mindful.

These are intended for older children, but younger children with particularly good focus might benefit from them as well.

1. Mindful or Unmindful

This worksheet is easy to use and provides children with some ideas for ways that they can act more mindfully.

The only instructions are to read the actions and decide which are mindful and which are not. The actions include:

Leaving your jacket on the floor when you come in from outside.

Keeping your voice quiet when other people are reading.

Helping someone that is hurt or scared.

Crossing the street without looking.

Letting someone finish talking before answering.

Practicing a new skill like sports or music until you feel your body improving.

As an added bonus, the worksheet can also be used for coloring, offering children an opportunity to practice even more mindfulness.

Click here to see the worksheet, or here to download it.

2. The Present Moment

This worksheet opens with a definition of what it means to be present or mindful: "The word 'present' can mean a gift, and it also describes what is happening right now, in the moment."

Next, there are instructions on how to complete the rest of the worksheet: "Sit quietly and pay attention to what is going on right now using your five senses. Reflect on what you experience below."

There are five sections to fill out based on the five senses:

Right now I see...

Right now I hear...

Right now I am touching...

Right now I smell...

Right now I feel...

This is a great way for children to work on becoming more present, a vital practice for encouraging mindfulness.

Click here to see the worksheet from Education.com.

3. Mindful Listening

This worksheet guides children through listening "like an owl," and becoming more aware of the sounds around them.

Here are the instructions: "Listen like an owl to become more aware of the sounds around you. An owl can hear sounds that are close up and far away, and can also be silent when needed. Go on a 'sound hunt' as an owl. What do you hear close up? What do you hear far away? Write and draw your observations."

The worksheet is a simple one, with lots of space for noting the sounds your child hears and drawing what they hear.

You can find this worksheet here.

4. Mindful Movement

Another worksheet from Education.com, this one will walk your child through moving mindfully.

Although children may have a hard time pairing mindfulness with movement, especially when they are first learning about mindfulness, the two are certainly not mutually exclusive. The worksheet helps your child learn about moving mindfully by instructing them to act like a deer this time.

The instructions are as follows: "Sometimes when we want to be mindful we are still. We can also be mindful when we move. Practice walking like a deer. Move slowly and deliberately, with purpose, and pay attention to where you are going. Practice pausing in stillness, as though you are camouflaged."

Next, your child will answer a few questions about their mindful movement practice:

If your child enjoys the first page, they can also turn to the second page for more mindful movement. On this page, they choose another animal to practice moving and remaining still, then they have the opportunity to draw themselves walking as this animal.

You can find this worksheet here.

For more resources on teaching mindfulness to children, check out this handout from TherapistAid.com.

4 Mindfulness Meditation Scripts for All Ages

These mindfulness meditation scripts from MindfulnessExercises.com are intended for adults, but can easily be used by older children or as a template you can customize for your child.

1. Body Scan Script

This script walks you through a classic mindfulness meditation called the "body scan." As you might guess, it involves doing a mental scan of your body to note any areas where you are holding on to tension or storing your stress.

You will start with cultivating awareness through your breath, then you will move to your head, face, neck, and shoulders. Next, you will move down to your arms and hands, and continue until you reach your feet. As you go, you will notice how your body feels in each area.

At the end, ask yourself this reflection question: "What information do you receive when checking in with your body?"

You can find this script here.

2. Two Minutes of Mindful Breathing

This quick script will help you use your breath to boost your awareness and cultivate greater mindfulness.

You will start with a full breath in and a long breath out, then counting through your breath, and finally observing the way your body feels as you breathe-how your chest rises and falls, how it feels to take air in through your nose, etc.

To make this exercise even more impactful, you can follow the instructions at the end to make it a journaling experience; the prompts are:

1. What I want from this 28-day challenge is...

2. Some obstacles to me practicing every day could be...

Click here to read through this script.

3. Mindfulness of Anger

This script is a useful one for anyone struggling with anger. As such, it's a great choice for children who are having behavioral problems or lashing out, although you may need to tweak it a bit to make it relevant and appropriate for children.

The script will walk you through bringing yourself to greater awareness, being present in your body, breathing mindfully, finding your anger, and allowing yourself to express it, let go of it, or both.

To read the whole script, click here.

4. Self-Compassion

If you want to help your child build their self-compassion, this script is a great place to start. It is a version of the popular " loving-kindness" variety of meditation that is particularly focused on cultivating compassion for the self.

It opens with the usual mindfulness meditation practices: improving awareness, becoming present, checking in with your body, and breathing mindfully.

Next, it guides you through identifying a mistake, a failure, or a part of your personality that you don't feel great about. It shows you how to accept the emotions that come with it and allow them to simply be, without fighting them.

Finally, this script will walk you through giving yourself a break and offering yourself love and understanding. Towards the end, you will repeat some phrases or mantras to help you appreciate yourself, including " May I be safe. May I be peaceful. May I be kind to myself. May I accept myself as I am."

You can find this script here, and access more scripts and other mindfulness exercises here.

Teaching Mindfulness to Teens

There is a lot more flexibility when teaching mindfulness to teens vs. teaching mindfulness to younger children. The five simple exercises below offer a good opportunity to allow your teenager to try mindfulness on their own. These exercises come from D'Arcy Lyness at KidsHealth.org.

5 Mindfulness Exercises and Activities for Teens

1. Mindful Eating

In this exercise, your teen will learn how to eat mindfully. The example used is an orange, but it can be almost anything.

Here's what to do:

2. Mindful Breathing

Mindful breathing is another simple exercise your teen can try. He or she will focus on breathing, but refrain from forcing themselves to breathe in a certain way.

Have your teen follow these steps:

3. Mindful Walking

Mindful walks are great ways to practice and maintain mindfulness in your everyday life, and your teenager will likely feel the same.

Guide them through these four easy steps:

4. Mindful Word

This exercise instructs you to choose a word that connects back to mindfulness and use it as an anchor to keep you present, calm, and collected. Teenagers should find it easy to follow and helpful in maintaining their mindfulness.

Here are the steps:

5. Mindful Driving

This is a great exercise for teenagers because it will not only help them become more mindful, it can also encourage them to be better and safer drivers.

Here's how it works:

1. Take a moment before you start the car to cultivate greater awareness. Think about how it feels to sit in the driver's seat right now.

2. Take one slow, deep breath as you settle into your seat. Make sure you are comfortable and you can easily reach the pedals. Adjust your seat if necessary.

3. Fasten your seat belt and say to yourself, "I plan to pay attention while I'm driving. I plan to drive safely and well."

4. Shift your attention to the mirrors, checking to make sure they are in the right position and adjusting them if they are not.

5. Take another slow, deep breath and start the car. Expand your awareness to the area directly around the car, looking for people, other cars, or anything else that could be an obstacle.

6. As you drive, pay attention to any of the many situations that require you to slow down or speed up. Keep your attention focused on your driving and the situations around you.

7. If you feel distracted or find your mind wandering, remind yourself that you are driving and refocus on the task at hand.

Click here to see these five exercises explained in detail.

What is Mindfulness Music for Kids and Where to Find it?

Mindfulness music is exactly what it sounds like-it's music that is intended to help you relax, meditate, stay mindful, and stay calm and cool-headed.

There are tons of mindfulness music videos out there that you can use with your children. Here are just a few examples:

Relax Music for Children - Stress Relief, Study Music, Sleep Music, Meditation Music from Mindful Kids

Morning Relaxing Music for Children - Childhood Memories (Hayfield) from OCB Relax Music

To find more, simply search for "mindfulness music for kids" on Google or YouTube.

How Toys Help Children Learn About Mindfulness

There are many toys available that can help children learn about mindfulness, cultivate mindfulness, and practice and maintain that mindfulness.

Some of these toys, like the mindfulness bear described below, are newer toys designed specifically for boosting mindfulness, but many "classic" toys can also help to boost mindfulness in children.

These toys include:

Kites

Spinning tops

Cards

Dominoes

Kaleidoscopes

Handheld ball mazes (Schwartz, n.d.)

Each of these toys can capture a child's attention and keep them grounded in the present-batteries not required!

The Mindfulness Bear

If you're looking for a toy that was designed to help your child be more mindful, the mindfulness bear might be just what you're looking for.

This fuzzy guy is called Max Mindpower, and not only is he cute and cuddly-he can help your child develop and maintain their mindfulness! He comes packed with three guided meditations (body scan, mindfulness of breathing, and kindly awareness), one neuro-linguistics exercise for children, and an introductory rhyming book.

Can Video Games Help Encourage Mindfulness?

It might seem counterintuitive, but video games can actually boost mindfulness in children. It depends on the video game and how it is being played, of course, but there is potential for greater mindfulness through three mechanisms:

1. Video games train our brains to stay focused and regulate our attention, just like meditation does.

2. Visual training through video games has effects that are similar to meditating, allowing us to tune out visual distractions and focus on the important things.

3. Video games teach us how to regulate our emotions; since getting too angry or frustrated sets us up for failure, we must learn how to deal with these emotions to succeed in our video games (Trunk, 2015).

Video games may not be the best way to teach mindfulness, but don't cross it off your list of possibilities!

Great Mindfulness Apps for Kids

There are tons of mindfulness apps out there to help you become more mindful, and many of these apps are designed specifically for kids.

Here's a list of 15 such apps that can help kids deal with anxiety and stress and become more mindful:

1. Breathe, Think, Do Sesame

2. Calm

3. DreamyKid

4. Headspace: Guided Meditation and Mindfulness

5. Kids Yoga Deck

6. Stop, Breathe, and Think Kids

7. Breathing Bubbles

8. Smiling Mind

9. Positive Penguins

10. Calm Counter

11. Emotionary

12. Take a Chill

13. Chill Outz

14. Super Stretch Yoga

15. Relax Melodies

Meet the Mindful Yeti

Another app that is specially designed for building mindfulness in children is a fun one centered on an engaging mascot: the Mind Yeti. The Mind Yeti guided kids and "their adults" through mindfulness sessions that can help them boost their mindfulness and prepare for whatever comes their way.

Here's what the app can help your child(ren) do:

De-stress, relax, and calm down.

Find a way to get along through practicing gratitude, empathy for others, and kindness towards themselves.

Get more out of study time by improving their focus.

Relax at the end of the day and fall asleep easier.

There is a free version of the app as well as a premium version with several options. You can learn about these options or sign up for the free version here.

What is the Youth Mindfulness Program?

If you're interested in learning more about instilling mindfulness in children, you should check out the Youth Mindfulness Program.

The program is offered by the nonprofit Youth Mindfulness, a charity that is devoted to boosting mindfulness in children, adolescents, and young adults. The One Year Youth Mindfulness Program is " an in-depth comprehensive learning experience, training practitioners to teach mindfulness from a place of compassion, authenticity, and confidence."

The program helps participants learn how to:

Embody mindfulness in day-to-day life.

Cultivate self-compassion, joy, and kindness.

Develop insight into their own minds.

The Youth Mindfulness Program is guided by four main themes:

To learn more about this program, how it works, and how you can get involved, click here.

3 Videos that Explain the Concept to Kids

To teach your children about mindfulness, you might want to try a video. Videos can be more engaging than simply listening to someone talk about a topic, and mindfulness is no exception.

These three videos can help you teach your kids about mindfulness:

The Listening Game - Cosmic Kids Yoga

Teaching Mindfulness to Children at Home and in Schools - GoStrengthsOnline

Mindfulness for Kids: What Does Being Present Mean? - Fablefy - The Whole Child

5 More Mindfulness YouTube Videos

If you're looking for exercises and activities that your child can follow along with, there are also many helpful videos for this purpose.

Here's a small sample of the videos that you can show your child to help them practice mindfulness:

Mindfulness for Kids - Loving Kindness Practice from Fablefy - The Whole Child

Mindfulness Meditation for Kids Breathing Exercise - New Horizon - Meditation & Sleep Stories

5 Minutes Bodyscan Meditation for Classrooms and Students - Fablefy - The Whole Child

Peace Out Guided Relaxation for Kids - Cosmic Kids Yoga

Mindful Eating: Mindfulness Exercise for Kids with Chocolate - GoStrengthsOnline

6 Books to Teach Kids About Mindfulness

If you want a book you can give your child or read with your child to encourage greater mindfulness, you're in luck-there are many books for you to choose from.

Here's a sample of some of the most popular ones:

1. Ultimate Mindfulness Activity Book: 150 Playful Mindfulness Activities for Kids and Teens (and Grown-Ups too!) - Christian Bergstrom (Amazon)

2. Mindfulness for Kids: 30 Fun Activities to Stay Calm, Happy, and In Control - Carole P. Roman and J. Robin Albertson-Wren (Amazon)

3. Mindful Kids: 50 Mindfulness Activities for Kindness, Focus, and Calm - Whitney Stewart and Mina Braun (Amazon)

4. Breathe Like a Bear: 30 Mindful Moments for Kids to Feel Calm and Focused Anytime, Anywhere - Kira Willey and Anni Betts (Amazon)

5. I Am Peace: A Book of Mindfulness - Susan Verde and Peter H. Reynolds (Amazon)

6. Sitting Still Like a Frog: Mindfulness Exercises for Kids (and Their Parents) - Eline Snel and Jon Kabat-Zinn (Amazon)

8 Mindfulness Quotes for Kids and Young Children

Like adults, children can use quotes to help them further their understanding and stay focused on their goals. To help your child appreciate the power of mindfulness, try sharing and discussing these quotes with them.

Mindfulness isn't difficult, we just need to remember to do it.

Sharon Salzberg

Be where you are, otherwise you will miss your life.

Buddha

Mindfulness means being awake. It means knowing what you are doing.

Jon Kabat-Zinn

In the end, just three things matter: How well we have lived. How well we have loved. How well we have learned to let go.

Jack Kornfield

Respond; don't react. Listen; don't talk. Think; don't assume.

Raji Lukkoor

Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest we take between two deep breaths.

Etty Hillesum

Life is a dance. Mindfulness is witnessing that dance.

Amit Ray

As long as you are breathing there is more right with you than wrong with you.

Jon Kabat-Zinn

A Take-Home Message

I hope you take this message home from this article: mindfulness is a vital skill for children, and there are tons of ways to go about boosting it!

What are your thoughts on cultivating mindfulness in children? Do you have any other exercises, activities, or games that you use to teach children how to be mindful? If so, feel free to share them in the comments section.

Thanks for reading and best of luck in teaching your children to be more mindful!

We hope you enjoyed reading this article. Don't forget to download our 3 Mindfulness Exercises for free.

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18 Mindfulness Games, Worksheets and Activities for Kids

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You have probably heard about mindfulness before. After all, it's a pretty big topic lately; even those who are not involved in the world of positive psychology have likely to at least have heard about mindfulness.

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Break the Stigma Around Children's Mental Health

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If you are struggling with mental health then you will realize that it can be useful to write down your feelings. Getting things off the mind and journalling them will help clarify what is causing the stress.

Journaling is a form of self-expression. It will help you reflect on your goals and prioritize things that are important in your life.

However, journaling does not come naturally for many people. Some struggle to find the right words to express their thoughts. Many are unsure where to start.

In this blog we will go through 175 journal prompts for mental health. The prompts below will help you process your emotions.

Use the journal prompts for mental health below to focus on the positive things that are happening around you.

Journal prompts for mental health :

Below are powerful journal prompts for mental health that will help you be in tune with your feelings.

The prompts below will also encourage you to think about your goals and help you assess your prioritise in life.

1. What makes you happy in the morning?

2. Write down 3 things you love most about yourself.

3. Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?

4. Write down things you would like to improve in your life.

5. Write down things you should cut back in your life? For example, junk food, binge-watching TV, etc.

6. Write about the happiest moment in your life?

7. Who are the people that make you feel happy? What is it about them that brings joy to your life?

8. When was the last time you cried? What was it about?

9. When was the last time you did something that made you feel good?

10. Write a letter to your future self, describing the things you would like to do.

11. Create a bucket list of things you would like to achieve before you turn 70.

12. When was the last time you had your heart broken?

13. When was the last time you had to make a difficult decision in your life?

14. Are there are regrets in your life? If so, write them down. What can you do to get over them?

15. What do you enjoy doing as a child? Can you include some of those things in your current life?

16. Write about your favorite memory

17. Write down some activities that always make you feel good.

18. Write a thank you letter to someone that has impacted your life positively.

19. Describe what a perfect day looks like to you?

20. Describe what a perfect weekend would be like?

21. What is your favorite holiday memory? Where did you go and who was with you? Write down what was so special about that holiday.

22. Whenever faced with a difficult situation, write down what do you do to solve the problem?

23. Write down the best compliment you have ever received recently?

24. When was the last time you did something kind for someone else?

25. Write about a time you volunteered and felt really good about it.

26. If you can support a cause of your choosing, what would it be?

27. What would you do differently once lockdown is over?

28. What are some of the things that you appreciate during the lockdown?

29. What has the year 2020 thought you?

30. If you can re-do 2020 how would you live it differently?

31. What are some of the risks you are willing to take in life in order to achieve your goals?

32. What are some of the things that are holding you back in life?

33. What can you do to feel physically good?

34. If you can be anywhere in the world right now, where would you like to be?

35. If you can change something about yourself, what would it be?

36. What can you do to be more physically healthy?

37. What bad food do you need to stop eating?

38. What do you do to nurture your soul?

39. What is your favorite self-care activity?

40. How does social media make you feel?

41. Scroll through your social media app and write down how you feel after scrolling for about 5 minutes.

42. What is the biggest challenge you are facing right now?

43. Write down one thing you can do today to make you feel better.

44. Write down one thing you did today that helped you become a better person.

45. Name someone you spoke to today that made you feel happy.

46. Write a thank you letter to someone that has helped you recently.

47. How does meditation make you feel?

48. What new exercise would you like to try today?

49. What is your bedtime routine like? What do you do at night to help you sleep well?

50. Write a story about a girl who overcomes her adversity with positivity.

51. Draw a picture of what you are feeling right now.

52. Write down a list of things you can whenever you are feeling down.

53. Create a list of movies you would watch to feel good.

54. When was the last time you felt proud of yourself?

55. Write about your favorite childhood holiday?

56. Have you struggled with mental illness? What lessons have you learned from it?

57. What can you do to help others who are struggling with mental health?

58. Write down 1 positive affirmation that you would say to yourself everday.

59. What do you like most about your family?

Growth Mindset Questions For Kids :
Art Journaling prompts for mental health:

Art journaling is a great way to be creative and to express your thoughts using pictures other than words. It is especially useful if you are feeling stuck and don't feel like writing a lot.

Using art journaling for mental health can help you get out of the mental block you may be facing.

For art journaling to work it is important that you should enjoy art and the process of creating art.

Here are some art journaling prompts for mental health to help you get started :

1. Think of your bucket list and draw them inside clouds.

2. Draw a mandala and focus on the small details in it.

3. Draw a flower that makes you feel happy.

4. Think of words that make you smile. Then draw them in any random order.

5. Doodle different faces that express what you are feeling right now

6. Collect images of things you are grateful for and stick them on a page

7. Create a vision board of all the things you would like to achieve in the next 5 years.

8. Watch a Youtube video on calligraphy and practice it

9. Draw all the things you would like to do if money was not an issue

10. Draw all the places you would like to visit in the next 5 years.

11. Draw an image of how you feel today.

12. Design a place of peace for yourself. What does that place look like? How does it make you feel?

Daily journaling prompts for mental health:

Here are journal prompts for mental health that you can include to your daily journal:

1. What can you do to make today a better day?

2. What did you like most about today?

3. What went wrong today?

4. What can you change about today to make it more productive?

5. Write down one thing you did today to help you achieve your goals?

6. Write how the weather made you feel today.

7. Who did you meet today that made you smile?

8. What is one thing you would like to change about your morning routine?

9. Did you read anything on social media today that made you upset?

10. Did everything go according to plan today? If not, what went wrong?

11. Did you compliment someone today?

12. Did you receive a compliment today?

13. What is the kindest thing you witnessed today?

Don't forget to check out this fun Trivia Questions for kids

Journal prompts for depression

1. Write about a time in your life where you feel you were in control?

2. What keeps you up at night?

3. What do you do to stop feeling afraid?

4. When was the last time you did something kind for yourself?

5. If you can name 3 things you love about yourself, what would it be?

6. When was the last time you felt happy?

7. Write down 3 things that make you feel angry?

8. How would you describe your current mental state?

9. What do you normally do when you are feeling down?

10. Write down the name of 3 people that you can get in touch with the moment you feel sad. What is it about those people that can make you feel better?

11. Make a list of all the things you are grateful for in your life.

12. What do you normally do to relax?

13. Create a list of things that are out of your control? For example, the weather, lockdown, etc.

14. Write down things that are in your control.

15. What are some of the things that usually triggers your anxiety?

16. What can you do to feel better when you are feeling anxious?

17. Create a list of songs that you would listen to when you are feeling down. The songs should lift your mood.

18. What is your darkest secret that you wish you can let go of?

19. If you can advise your younger self what would it be?

20. Describe how your physical fitness has changed in the last 5 years.

21. Write a letter to your body describing how you have been treating it.

22. How would you describe yourself to a stranger?

23. List 2 things that made you laugh today

Related : More journal prompts for overcoming depression
Journal prompts for healing:

1. Write down something nice about your favorite book.

2. What is something you would like to do but don't feel so sure about it?

3. Write down some things you need more in life. For example, more gratitude.

4. If there is one emotion you will very strongly about, what would it be? (sad, angry, content, happy, etc)

5. Who is your biggest source of inspiration?

6. What are some of the things that make you feel calm?

7. What are the things that make you feel safe?

8. What are some of the things you need to let go of in your life?

9. If you can start your dream job and know you wouldn't fail, what would you do?

10. What is the best way for you to express creativity?

11. What do you think people love most about you?

12. Write down 3 things that make you unique?

13. If you had the power to make the world a better place, what would you do?

14. If you can get anything you want, what would you wish for?

15. What are you most grateful for in your life?

16. What does happiness mean to you?

17. What is the one thing you can do today to change your life?

18. Write down 3 things you are most proud of?

19. If you can speak at TED talk, what will your topic be about?

20. Write a love letter to the world.

21. What do you miss most about being a child?

22. What is the one thing you learned about yourself when dealing with stress?

23. Write down the things that are worrying you right now?

24. Write down 3 things you love about your life right now.

25. Who has been your biggest strength in times of difficulty?

26. Write down names of songs you would listen to in order to feel relaxed

27. As you are writing your journal focus on what you are feeling at the moment. How is it making you feel?

28. Write down things that are currently going well in your life.

29. List down things you can do to improve your current living condition.

30. Name a time when you felt calm and relaxed.

31. Write down 5 affirmations you would tell yourself every morning.

32. If you can change your job, what will you be doing instead?

33. Write down words that make you smile, for example, sun, coffee, bird, etc.

34. Write down your ideal morning routine.

35. What is stopping you from starting your morning the way you want to?

36. Write down 5 things that distract you from achieving your goals?

37. Write down 3 negative things you should stop telling yourself.

38. Write a list of things that makes you happy.

39. What did you do today to care for your soul?

40. What does a peaceful life look like to you?

41. Do you practice self-care?

42. What has been your biggest achievement

43. What do you need most in your life right now?

44. If you can give yourself a piece of advice, what would you say to yourself?

45. Describe yourself in 5 words.

46. What do you look for in a relationship?

47. Do you think soul mates exist?

48. Do you need a partner to feel happy?

49. What do you cherish most about the friendship you have with your best friend?

50. Write down your goals for the next one year.

51. What do you find most satisfying about your current work?

52. What is the meaning of life?

53. What is your purpose in this world?

54. What are you most afraid of? What can you do to overcome those fears?

55. What does family mean to you?

56. When you were little, what did you want to do?

57. How can you express more love for yourself?

58. How can you express more love to the world? How can you make the world a better place?

59. What is the universe trying to tell you?

60. Who do you look up to?

61. Do you find work stressful? What can you do to ease the burden?

62. What can you do to improve your daily routine?

63. If you can travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

64. What does a perfect holiday look like to you?

65. Write down 3 things that make you happy.

Complete the sentence below:

1. Even when things are going bad, I know I will be fine because.......

2. I know that I can get through anything because.........

3. Things may not go my way but I am sure that.............

4. I feel like myself when.....

5. I feel amazing when.........

6. I feel bad when......

7. Two things I did today that helps me come closer to my dreams are.......

8. I need more........

9. I am the best version of myself when.....

10. I am not the kind of person that.........

11. If money was not a constraint I would......

12. If I had the courage I would.....

13. My biggest struggle right now is.....

Dont forget....THE GROWTH MINDSET KIT to encourage children to share kindness with others

Advantages of using the journal prompts for mental health :

1. Journaling to improve mood

Journaling can be a mood booster. The process of journaling itself can be thereupetic.

Find a time and space at home when you feel relaxed and start writing your thoughts.

You can also put on calming and relaxing music to help you express your feelings.

It is a great way to relieve stress and switch off from the world.

2. Be in touch with your feelings

The daily stress in life can result in us dismissing our own feelings.

Sometimes we may be too focused on taking care of others that we forget about our own mental needs.

Journaling is a great way to keep in touch with our emotions.

3. Journaling to clarify problems

Many times things may not be as bad as it seems when we start writing them down.

It helps us prioritise things in our life and more importantly encourages us to take a break from the rut that we may be in.

By writing down our problems we can also start thinking rationally as to how we can solve those problems rather than just circling around the issue in our mind.

4. Achieving goals

You can use the journal prompts for mental health above to start thinking about your goals.

By setting realistic goals you will have something to look forward too. This can be a great mood booster. Which then can improve your overall mental health.

It is always good to keep reviewing your goals to ensure that every decision you make is aligned with what you want to achieve in your life.

Goals can change over time, depending on your circumstances. And it is ok to be flexible with the goals you set for yourself.

The whole purpose of journaling is to improve mental health. Hence, be flexible with your goals as long as your overall well-being is improved.

Best time to journal:

There is no right or wrong time to journal. This can be any time you feel you need to write down your thoughts.

Some people carry a small journal with them all the time. Whenever they feel the need to write down their feelings they just do it. It can be either during lunch break at work or on the way home from work.

While many others dedicate a certain time during the day to journal. Many people do this in the morning before they begin their day.

This helps them focus on what they have to achieve for the day and helps them start their day on a positive note.

While many others tend to do it before bed time. This use this moment to reflect on their day and write down the good and bad during the day.

Choose a time that works best for you and develop a journaling routine.

Use the journaling prompts above to help you write down your thoughts and express your emotions.

Be honest with your feelings and channel any stress you feel into it and improve your mental health.

We hope you enjoyed the journaling prompts for mental health above.
don't forget to check out the PERSONALISED growth-mindset kit you can use at home

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175 powerful journal prompts for mental health

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If you are struggling with mental health then you will realize that it can be useful to write down your feelings. Getting things off the mind and journalling them will help clarify what is causing the stress. Journaling is a form of self-expression.