Gratitude

I trust that everyone, parents and children alike, have found time to relax together during the Easter break and enjoy the outside and the sunshine.

Gratitude (Gratitude Theory: Dr Robert Emmons)

Expressing gratitude has been found to activate the parasympathetic nervous system – lowering the heart rate, strengthening the immune system, improving sleep and relationships.

Practicing recognising 3 Good Things a day has been shown to decrease depression and increase happiness after only 1 week and have lasting effects for up to 6 months later.

Routinely try to start each day by encouraging you child to find 3 good things about their present situation eg. the sunshine (because it makes it pleasant to go outside or makes it brighter inside), that they are able to spend more time with their dog/cat, that they have more time to play with their lego etc.

It is also beneficial to routinely practice self-gratitude (being grateful for yourself, what you have and the life around you) and to encourage your child to also do so. Rather than being critical and hard on ourselves it’s important to actively recognise the good in ourselves, what we’re good at, the way in which we help others etc.

Below is the link for ‘Childline Calm Zone’ resources. The ‘Mirror’ activity may help your child to practice self-gratitude.

On 30th March I wrote about ‘Anxiety’ and suggested some breathing strategies that you could use with your child to support them with feeling less anxious. Again, the ‘Childline Calm Zone’ highlights some good breathing activities for use with children.

https://www.childline.org.uk/toolbox/calm-zone