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Your Child's Mental Health After Lock Down

THE NEW NORMAL AND YOUR CHILD’s MENTAL HEALTH

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As lockdown is easing, shops begin to reopen, some year groups were gradually returning to school (although we are approaching the summer holidays) and society is adjusting to what has been labelled the ‘new normal’.  For many, it may be a huge sigh of relief and for some it may bring on anxiety, this also includes children. Many children may be excited about lock down easing however, many others may still be confused with what has happened and in some circumstances be worried and concerned about the uncertainty of the future.  Whatever, your child may be feeling, we believe it is important to make their wellbeing and mental health a high priority. In this post, we will be sharing special, practical advice on how you can implement good wellbeing and mental health practices post lockdown for children. 

Reflection 

As lockdown eases, you may be returning to work, your child may have returned to school, prior to the summer break or perhaps you are getting out and about a bit more. It is important that you reflect on how your child feels about this and what lockdown has been like for them.  Reflecting will help you and your child process your emotions and guide you in what areas to focus on in regard to your child’s wellbeing. We have listed some questions below to aid reflection. We encourage you to go through these and add any of your own questions that come to mind. 

Tip: Get creative! Reflection is a great time to explore your emotions through art, dance/movement, music and drama. You could encourage your child to draw a picture on how they are feeling, express their emotions through dance and physical movement or sing a song. Whatever comes to mind, go with it. You do not need to overthink this but be free and attune with your child. You may even make up a creative game to explore how lock down has been. 

Questions for Reflection on Your Mental Health in Lockdown. Ask your child these questions when they are relaxed and in a good mood. If, these questions cause any stress, please do not push for an answer. However, take note of it. If you need any assistance please get in touch with us at hello@bennu.org.uk 

  • Have you enjoyed lockdown so far? If so, why? If not, why not? 
  • What have you missed most during lockdown? (this could be their family, friends, a particular place, shopping etc… or whatever comes to mind. 
  • What are you most looking forward to post lockdown? 
  • How have you felt during lock down? Happy? Sad? Confused? 
  • Tip: This will be a great time to ask your child to draw a picture on how they have been feeling or act out their emotions. 
  • Are you feeling sacred about anything post lockdown? If so what?
  • How are you feeling about going back to school?
  • How are you feeling about getting your results?  (If your child is expecting results in August) 
  • How have you found wearing a face covering? (If your child has been wearing one) 

Now that you and your child have reflected, we encourage you to revisit these questions and your answers in 4/6 weeks to document your progress and refine anything if need be. Also take note of their answers and see if there is anything you can do to ease them into the transition out of lock down, managing their exam results and returning back to school.

Ways to Reinforce Good Mental Health and Wellbeing for Children Post lockdown 

Follow the Rules 

Although lockdown is gradually being lifted, there are still government guidelines in place that we all must adhere too, in order to stop coronavirus spreading and keep us all as safe as possible. We, therefore must reiterate the importance of doing your part and adhering to the health and safety guidelines in place. This is essential to keeping everyone as safe as possible. However, also by reassuring your child that by following the governmentguidelines, you are doing your part for your community.

Tip: There are standard government guidelines which can be found in useful links below. However, be sure to always check when you enter new premises what their guidelines are. Your health and safety must come first. 

Easing Back into Interaction

During lockdown some people may have found they were video calling and speaking to family and friends more.  Although there are still strict lockdown measures in place, that will restrict certain gatherings and people’s interaction; when you can, meet up with your friends and family.  It is likely that your child may have missed social interaction. Where it is safe to do so, getting your child back into social settings, where they are able to interact with others will be beneficial for their mental and emotional health. You may pop over to a friends or relatives house (following to gov guidelines) or perhaps play some games and picnic at the park or see if your local farms are open. Interacting with people and your loved ones is a great way to improve your mental health and wellbeing, and it is no different for your child. Seeing a friendly face and having a good time will promote a healthy mind for your child whilst helping them ease back into the ‘new normal’ we are all facing.

Tip: If you or your child are still in quarantine and self-isolating, try to telephone or video call some of your loved ones. If you are worried that your child may be feeling particularly lonely or isolated, there are some organisations you can reach out to. These will be listed in our useful links below. 

Routine 

During quarantine your child may not be in their usual routine, after all the majority of people have been in lockdown for over four months. That being said, getting your child into a routine is a great start as children’s brains love routine. The consistency a routine offers, promotes healthy sleeping habits and security as they know what to expect on a daily basis.  Although you may not be sure when your child is returning back to school, you can start getting them prepared by gradually getting back into a routine. Depending on your child’s age this may include… setting an alarm clock to wake them up for a certain time, getting ready for bed, and unwinding/relaxing time. Be sure to evaluate how it is going and make adjustments where you feel necessary. 

Tip: If your child does not get into a routine straight away do not worry. It takes time. With perseverance you will get there. Remember to remain calm and patient. 

Your Child and Self-Care 

If you are familiar with Bennu, you will know that we are advocates of self-care! Throughout lockdown, we continued to tell the importance of self-care for your child post lockdown is no different. Self-care is when you are intentional about certain rituals and habits to look after your wellbeing and mental health. We have many resources on this and will also have some links below. Try your best to incorporate some self-care practices with your child into your week. It is our hope, that this will hugely benefit your wellbeing too. Some activities may include… encouraging your child to journal, any artistic activities, pampering evenings or whatever you feel your child best engages with. 

Do Not Suffer in Silence 

If you think you or your child may be struggling with your mental health, please do not suffer in silence. Reach out to someone today. Covid-19 and lockdown shocked us all and therefore the effects on your child’s mental health might be unusual. However, it must be taken seriously. Do not hesitate in reaching out to some of the useful links below, you and your mental health will be much better off. 

We have qualified professional therapists who will be happy to have a conversation with you. Get in contact with us today here. 

If this post has been helpful, please let us know in the comments below and on social media. Share this post with a friend or anyone you feel will benefit. 

Take great care of yourself,

Bennu 🙂 

Useful Links to Other Self-Care Resources 

Useful links on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

NHS Information on Coronavirus (COVID-19) – https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

UK Government Information on Coronavirus (COVID-19) – https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

Useful Links For Mental Health 

https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/mental-health-services/

https://www.mind.org.uk

Emergency Mental Health Help 

https://www.samaritans.org

You call UK emergency services by dialling 999

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THE NEW NORMAL AND YOUR MENTAL HEALTH

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As lockdown is easing, shops begin to reopen, children are gradually returning to school, and society is adjusting to what has been labelled the ‘new normal’.  For many, it may be a huge sigh of relief and for some it may bring on anxiety, as you wonder what life will be like post lockdown. whatever you may be feeling, it is important to make your mental health and wellbeing a top priority. In this post, we will be sharing with you some special, practical advice on how you can implement good mental health and wellbeing practices post lockdown. 

Reflection 

As lockdown eases, you may be returning to work or perhaps getting out and about a bit more. It is important that you reflect on how this time in lockdown has been for you, and your wellbeing. Reflecting will help you process your emotions and guide you in what areas to focus on in your mental health.  We have listed some questions below to aid your reflection. We encourage you to go through these and add any of your own questions that come to mind. 

Tip: Get creative! Reflection is a great time to explore your emotions through art, dance, music and even drama. You could draw a picture on how you are feeling, express your emotions through dance and physical movement or sing a song. Whatever comes to mind, go with it. You do not need to overthink this but be free and attune with yourself. 

Questions for Reflection on Your Mental Health in Lockdown

  • Have you enjoyed lockdown so far? If so, why? If not, why not? 
  • What have you missed most during lockdown? (this could be your family, friends, a particular place, shopping etc… or whatever comes to mind) 
  • What are you most looking forward to post lockdown? 
  • How would you describe your mental health and wellbeing during lockdown?
  • Are you feeling anxious about anything post lockdown? 
  • Can you think of any ways to improve your mental health and wellbeing? 

Now that you have reflected, we encourage you to revisit these questions and your answers in 6 weeks to document your progress and refine anything need be. 

Ways to Reinforce Good Mental Health and Wellbeing Post lockdown 

Follow the Rules 

Although lockdown is gradually being lifted, there are still government guidelines in place that we all must adhere too, in order to stop coronavirus spreading. We, therefore, must reinforce the importance of doing your part and adhering to the health and safety guidelines in place. This is essential to keeping everyone as safe as possible. However, following the rules may also give you peace of mind that you are doing your part for your community. 

Tip: There are standard government guidelines which can be found in useful links below. However, be sure to always check when you enter  new premises what their guidelines are. Your health and safety must come first.

Interaction 

During lockdown some people may have found they were video calling and speaking to family and friends more.  Although there are still strict lockdown measures in place, that will restrict certain gatherings and peoples interaction; when you can, meet up with your friends and family! Perhaps go for a nice time over at the park, or see if your local farms are open. Interacting with people and your loved ones is a great way to improve your mental health and wellbeing. Seeing a friendly face and having a good time will benefit your mind and help you relax. Be intentional and book in some interaction time. 

Tip: If you are still in quarantine and self-isolating, try to telephone or video call some of your loved ones. If you are feeling particularly lonely, there are some organisations you can reach out to. These will be listed in our useful links below. 

Stepping Back When You Need To 

Getting back into a routine and getting back to ‘normal’ may not come easy for everyone. After all, we have been in full lockdown for almost four months. Be easy on yourself and take a step back when you need to. This may mean a relaxing evening, passing on overtime at work, reading your favorite book, having an extra bit of sleep or whatever you may feel necessary. When we take a step back, we are able to recharge. Give your mind the time it deserves to recuperate and take things as slow as you need to. 

Self-care 

If you are familiar with Bennu, you will know that we are advocates of self-care! Throughout lockdown, we continued to tell the importance of self-care and post lockdown is no different. Self-care is when you are intentional about certain rituals and habits to look after yourself and wellbeing. We have many resources on this and will also have some linked below. Try your best to incorporate some self-care practices into your week, this will hugely benefit your wellbeing. 

Do Not Suffer in Silence 

If you think you are struggling with your mental health, please do not suffer in silence. Reach out to someone today. Covid-19 and lockdown shocked us all and therefore the effects on your mental health might be unusual. However, it must be taken seriously. Do not hesitate in reaching out to some of the useful links below, you and your mental health will be much better off. 

We have qualified professional therapists who will be happy to have a conversation with you. Get in contact with us today here. 

If this post has been helpful, please let us know in the comments below and on social media. Share this post with a friend or anyone you feel will benefit. 

Take great care of yourself,

Bennu 🙂 

Useful Links to Other Self-Care Resources

Self Care During Self-Isolation, Quarantine and Lock-Down

Useful links on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

NHS Information on Coronavirus (COVID-19) – https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

UK Government Information on Coronavirus (COVID-19) – https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

Useful Links For Mental Health 

https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/mental-health-services/

https://www.mind.org.uk

Emergency Mental Health Help 

https://www.samaritans.org

You call UK emergency services by dialling 999

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Self Care During Self-Isolation, Quarantine and Lock-Down

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During these challenging times we are facing due to COVID-19, it is important to take care of yourself. Self-care is a great way at prioritising your wellbeing and has multiple benefits to your overall mental health and state of mind. We understand that for many, the days of finding time to physically plan your day and write in your dairy may be temporality on hold. Self-care is unique to every individual and there is no shoe that fits all. We have a blog post dedicated to creating your perfect self-care plan suited to you. Click here for more information.  However, here are some or our self-care suggestions whilst in quarantine or self-isolation.

Meditation

Meditation is a great practice. It helps to still your mind and bring about peace. Meditation involves being still, being quite and focusing your mind on a certain thought, place or whatever you would like. Whist you are mediating, it is advised to set a calm atmosphere. This can be orchestrated through music, dimmed lighting or perhaps you find the outdoors peaceful (of course adhering to Covid-19 safety guidelines) Many have found meditation to bring about serenity and peace. There are many different methods and ways to meditate and it is best to find what works for you. At Bennu, we like to use the “breathe in and out method” this is where you breath in a positive emotion for five seconds, and out for five seconds a negative emotion. For example breathe in ‘peace’ for five seconds, and breathe out ‘anxiety’ for five seconds. Especially, during the difficult times we are currently facing due to Covid-19, getting your mind to rest from all the chaos is so important. As mentioned, meditation is unique to every individual and it is definitely worth giving a try, if you haven’t already. 

Exercise  

We understand how challenging these times are right now. The government have said each individual can exercise via walk, run or bike ride for a maximum of 1 hour a day, whilst adhering to the Cover – 19 safety guidelines. Home exercise is also a great method to staying fit and healthy. When you get your heart beating and blood flowing around your body, it has huge benefits to your mental health. You may feel stuck indoors and want to break out. How about breaking out into a dance? We like to say, make exercise as fun as possible! The real thing here is to move your body. You can get your children involved too as it will also help them stay fit and develop good self-care habits. 

Intentional rest 

Throughout quarantine, it is still important to plan out your rest schedule. When you are going to sleep and when you are going to have time where you just relax. We understand how hard it must be right now to do so, as we are all having to adapt. For some people, who are still working from home, it may be challenging to switch off from ‘work-mode’ or if you are looking after your children all day it may be hard to switch off from ‘parenting – mode’. Intentional rest is so important and we would highly recommend working this into your schedule where possible. 

Watching your favourite film/tv programme/sports show

For some of us in quarantine, we may be maxed out of movies and Netflix by now.  However, for many, watching tv, youtube videos or something light hearted is a great way of escapism and relaxation. Setting aside intentional time where you are going to zone out to your favourite programme will give a sense of ease and rest. If you are in quarantine with your family or house mates, you could all get involved or if you prefer, let the people around you know that you just need some time. 

Spending time with your family and friends virtually via video call Reading 

Although nationally we are in all in quarantine, thank goodness for the Internet and social media. If you have friends and family who you can plan virtual meetings with, be sure to do so! Seeing a familiar face during these times will be comforting and give a sense of normal.  You can get your children involved by reading stories over a video call with a loved one, dinner parties, or maybe catching up with a best friend is what you need. Reach out to those people who are coming to mind and plan accordingly! 

Journalling

Journalling is a great way to get your thoughts out unto paper and see what is going on in both your mind and heart. Having a designated notebook for journalling is great however, a sheet of paper will still work! Ask yourself questions such as: how is your day going? What is making you emotional and why? What is on your mind? What have been some of your most frequent thoughts recently? You will find that as you are journaling you are able to better identify what is going on within, this is great for your mental health as is provides clarity. If you haven’t started journaling, its never too late! Start today. 

Indoor pamper day or evening

For some, you may be used to having a professional do your nails, hair ect. Of course, during the times we are facing of lock-down that is not possible. However, you can bring the spa and pamper treatments to you! Work in a set day or evening into your schedule where you are going to have your own at home pamper time. This can consist of a lovely bath, your favourite dessert, a face mask and  maybe some nail polish. Whatever works for you. You can incorporate some of the other points mentioned above with this one. Pampering can be a great way to make you feel better and relaxed. Give it a try if you are able too.

Virtual Therapy

We understand how hard the times we are facing are and we want you to know that we are here for you. Professional help such as therapy is very useful in helping you to walk through your emotions, traumas and mental health. We have qualified, professional therapists at Bennu, who are still providing virtual therapy online. Get in tough with us today to start an initial conversation here. 

We hope this blog post has been useful. Please do let us know in the comments and over our social media. If you have found this useful, please share this post with a friend. 

For any questions, concerns or for general enquires get in contact with us here.

Useful links on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

NHS Information on Coronavirus (COVID-19) – https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

UK Government Information on Coronavirus (COVID-19) – https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

Useful Links For Mental Health 

https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/mental-health-services/

https://www.mind.org.uk

Emergency Mental Health Help 

https://www.samaritans.org

You call UK emergency services by dialling 999 

Take care great care of yourself and stay safe 

 Bennu

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Your Mental Health and COVID-19 – How To Keep A Healthy Mind in Self-Isolation

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Dear Reader, 

We hope that you are keeping well during these uncertain times that we are facing nationally and globally, due to COVID-19. Our thoughts are with you all. We particularly want to specially thank our teachers, NHS staff, social workers and other key workers. Thank you for your dedicated service. To everyone else, we hope your mental health is keeping well. However, we know, understand and acknowledge that for many of you, this is an extremely difficult time. We are here for you! Please do get in touch. Stay safe and take great care. Bennu

The global pandemic of COVID-19 has taken us all by surprise. We must make sure that we are adhering to GOV advice, which you can find here. Please do stay at home and keep a 2 metre distance, when it is essential that you must go out. We realise that self isolation and quarantine can have negative effects on mental health. In todays blog post, it is only right  we share our advice on how to keep your mental health as best as it can be, during these current circumstances we are facing collectively. 

Going for a brief walk or run 

Under the current GOV guidelines to date, those who are healthy enough (and please do evaluate if you see yourself fit enough) can go outside once a day for a brief walk, run or bike ride. Exercise is important for a healthy mind and body, in addition to this, the outdoors can be extremely therapeutic, having positive mental health benefits. 

Tip: (Adhering to government guidelines)…You can also bring those who live with you along. This is a great time for family bonding and also to get your child or children moving too. 

Reading and Audio Books 

With many having extra time on their hands than ever, this is a great time to get back into reading or continue there on. Audible are offering  their children books completely free, so you can download some books that you can listen to with your child. You could then evaluate it together spending quality time and exercising your child’s imagination. Reading is also a great way of escapism and can calm the mind from anxiety. 

Link to Free Children’s Audio books

Tip: Why not start a bookclub over Zoom, Skype or other video call platforms. If you have friends and other family members with children, you can all listen to the same audio book and gather on Zoom to share your thoughts and favourite moments. This is a great way to still socialise with your loved ones, another essential way, to keeping your mental health in a good place during these challenging times. 

Journalling 

If you find yourself becoming anxious, depressed or down, journaling is a therapeutic way to get your thoughts out of your head. We recommend keeping a journal anyway, now more than ever. Simply write down anything and everything that comes to mind. When your thoughts are all down, you may find the stress on your mind ease off. If not, go through what you have written down and try to identify exactly what is causing you to feel the way you do. Next, try to write down positive things next to what you have written. 

Disclaimer: For anxiety and depression please do turn your immediate attention to the useful links listed below. We have our trusted therapists, who at this time due to the currant circumstances, will be more than happy to have a conversation with you remotely. However,  if you or your loved ones situation is urgent, please do not wait to take further action. 

Gratitude Journal 

Alongside our previous advice on journalling, we also highly recommend keeping a gratitude journal. This is where you simply write down what you are grateful for on a daily basis. When there is much chaos  going on around you, acknowledging what you are appreciative for can have a great impact on your well- being and mental health. It trains our minds to focus on the good, and creates a positive atmosphere. We recommend to get your children involved too. 

Phone call, Video Call, Text and Social Media 

Although we are social distancing as a nation, it does not mean we can not still communicate through the likes of FaceTime, WhatsApp and general phone calls. One of the amazing things we have during these times is the internet. Meaning that social media, blogs and video calls can still connect us to the outside world and stay in communication with our loved ones. Do stay in touch with those around you and call a friend if you are feeling lonely. Although we must keep our distance  physically; emotionally, we can still connect and reach out to one another. 

Virtual Therapy 

Whilst we are not able to meet in person, we can still do so via other platforms. Using this time in either ‘self-isolation’ or ‘locked down’, to work through your emotions and mental state, will be hugely beneficial not only now, but also when restrictions on our daily movement is lifted. We would highly recommend, if need be or wanted, to talk to one of our trusted therapists (who will meet with you online remotely). Our therapist have discounted their rates in the hope to meet the needs of anyone who needs support at this time.

You can get in touch with us here and we will respond to you within 2 working days or less. 

This Too Shall Pass 

We understand how surreal our current national and global circumstance may feel due to Coronavirus COVID-19. Our hope is to manage this challenging and difficult time… This too shall pass. Let us all make sure we are doing our part to protect our NHS and save lives. These circumstances will not last forever and we will see a light at the end of the tunnel.  Please do refer to our previous blog posts listed below, where we have previously shared  activities you can do with your children to keep them entertained, self-care and lots more useful content for both adults, teens and children.  

As always we are here for you.  You can get in touch with us here if you have any queries or questions. We offer Arts, Dance, Drama and Music therapy, and we are currently providing a remote service. 

We hope this blog post has been useful, please do let us know in the comments below, and share this post with a friend. 

Take great care of yourself 

Bennu 

Other Useful Blog Posts

Taking Care Of Your Child’s Mental Health

The Perfect Self-Care Plan

Creative Activities to Keep Your Child Entertained

Useful links on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

NHS Information on Coronavirus (COVID-19) – https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

UK Government Information on Coronavirus (COVID-19) – https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

Useful Links For Mental Health

https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/mental-health-services/

https://www.mind.org.uk

Emergency Mental Health Help 

https://www.samaritans.org

You call UK emergency services by dialling 999 

*Not all images are our own, all credit to the original designers


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Ways To Communicate Love and Care to Your Child 

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February is often referred to as ‘the month of ‘Love’ due to valentine’s day. 

We know that parents and guardians have an innate love for their children, however how does one communicate this love to their child on a daily basis? In today’s blog post, we are sharing our best advice on ‘Ways to Communicate ‘Love and Care’ to Your Child’. 

Why is it important your child feels loved? 

Firstly, let’s discuss why it is important your child feels loved in the first place. Your child needs to feel loved for healthy development and to form secure attachments. Your child feeling loved and cared for will establish in them a firm trust for you. Knowing how much you love them will be extremely beneficial for their overall wellbeing and mental health. It will draw you closer together, and as mentioned greatly contribute to your child forming secure attachments – which is extremely important for their development and adult life. 

Ways To Communicate Love To Your Child

Now that we have established why it is important to go the extra mile in expressing love for your child, lets dive into our best ways to communicate love to your child. You may have your own ways you do so already, which we would love to hear! Feel free to comment below how you best show love to your child/children! 

Being Vocal With Your Love and Praise 

It is so simple, yet so effective. Some children have never heard their parents vocalise their love for them. Simply letting your child know ‘I love you’ goes a long way. You can go one step further by letting them know exactly what it is you find so special about them.  For example, ‘the way you tell such witty jokes is so clever and funny!’ 

Being vocal with praising your child is also very important and effective. As a parent/guardian you are continuously correcting your child, so that they learn right from wrong. However, do not forget to praise them too. Encourage them even for the little things. This will boost their confidence and again send signals that they are truly loved and accepted.

An Embracing Hug

A loving cuddle allows your child to feel your warmth and presence. A hug communicates to your child that they are safe with you, you care about them and ultimately your love for them. Be sure to offer a hug to your child with open arms, when you think they are in any discomfort; as well as when they have any achievements. This can go hand-in-hand with our tip on praising your child above. 

Disclaimer: Not all children like to be firmly embraced. If your child does not appreciate this, please do not force it upon them. You may simply say ‘Okay hon, no worries! I am here whenever you want a cuddle’ In more serious cases children with Autism may not want to be touched at all. In these circumstances, please do contact a health professional for further advice, we will leave some useful links for your personal research and reference below. 

Quality Time 

As a parent or carer, your life can be jam packed and you are constantly on the move.  A lot of the time you may be juggling work, your personal life, as well raising your children. However, it is important to schedule in time purely to connect with your child with no distractions. You may be going through the everyday motions of the school run, homework, clubs, dinner and bedtime and sometimes, we just need to stop and take in the moments. Schedule in time where you and your child can spend real quality time together. This will make your child feel very much appreciated and loved. Simply watching a movie together, playing one of their favourite games, or perhaps baking a cake together… whatever your child enjoys and gets you spending time together! This is also a great time to gets hands on and creative!  

Tip: Be sure to be intentional and mark out the time in your diary. This way you know you have allocated quality time just for your child and will not double book yourself. 

Gifts 

Gifts can show our loved ones how much we love them, as they send a signal that we thought about them. It is no different for your child! A gift does not have to be expensive; it can be as simple as buying your child their favourite snack on your way home from work. Or picking them up a book if your child loves to read. This will show them ‘I was thinking about you.’ 

Disclaimer: Many parents and carers are feeling financial pressure, due to their child wanting the latest gadgets and to keep up with the latest trends amongst children and young people. If you are feeling this sort of pressure, visit our blog post on ‘Money and Mental Health’ for some useful tips on this area. You can find it here. 

These are some ways in which you can express your love for your child. As always, we are here to support you raising your child with healthy development. We offer Art, Drama and Music therapy to assist with a healthy mind, overcome trauma, explore their emotions and to have an overall good, general mental health. To enquire of our services please email us at info@bennu.org.uk or you can get in touch with us via our website contact form here. We have professional, qualified therapists, who will be more than happy to assist yourself and child through an initial assessment, and offer their expert advice going forward. Get in touch here!

We hope that this blog post has been helpful to you. Please do share with us your thoughts via social media, comments and share this post with another parent/carer.

Take care of yourself! 

Bennu 

Useful links

https://www.samaritans.org

https://www.mind.org.uk

https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/mental-health-services/

Emegerncy Mental Health  help 

https://www.samaritans.org

You call UK emergency services by dialling 999 

*Not all images are our own, all credit to the original designers

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Money and Mental Health

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Before we get into this month’s blog post, we want to wish you ‘A Very Happy New Year’ and we hope that you have had a wonderful Christmas. The holiday season, at times can come with pressure and cause financial stress. For those of you who may feel that you overstretched yourself financially, we will be discussing some helpful tips in relation to your mental health and money. We hope that this post is useful to you, please do let us know in the comments and sharing on social media. 

“Poor mental health may make managing money harder and worrying about money, perhaps might add to you managing your well-being and mental health”. That is why in today’s blog post we are addressing how money and mental health may directly relate to the other. 

We all know the saying “money makes the world go round” and it does. We all need sterling in our accounts to get around, function and live. How in which money gets into our accounts, how it is spent, saved or invested is down to the individual, however, it is so important one learns how to manage their finances and become aware if you may be struggling. 

Here are some examples on how money can affect your mental health: 

  • Motivation and consistency to manage your money may decline.
  • You may not have enough finances to cover your basic needs such as: housing, food, heat etc.
  • You may feel anxious getting your finances in to order and avoid phone calls, messages/e-mails and letters.
  • You may spend money erratically and make impulse purchases for a temporary ‘feel good’ factor. 
  • If you are not sober or ‘high’ you may make certain choices that could lead to debt.
  • If you are unable to work, it could have an effect on your mental wellbeing.
  • Dealing with bailiffs as well as the benefit system may bring on anxiety and even depression.
  • Financial problems may also affect your relationships.
  • Money problems may also lead to greater anxiety and cause stress related illnesses. 

If you identify with any of the symptoms listed above here are some things you can do in the hope to get you to a better place. Remember that the situation you may currently be in can be temporary if you choose to address it with diligence, seek help and you could be in a much better place. Try your best not to worry but rather think about what you can do to better your situation. Workout a plan then put your plan into action. 

 

1) Keep a financial daily log. In doing so, this can improve your understanding and your relationship with money. You may begin to notice how you are spending your money. It is recommended to do this for at least 30 days, taking note of every single thing you spend money on. This will help you identify your spending habits and what your money is going towards; what’s good, what needs to be changed and where you can make cut backs. 

Tip: If you want a quicker overview and you have a bank account go through your bank statements on paper and begin to highlight different categories in colors… such as ‘blue is for food, yellow is for travel’ then add up the colors at the end and that will give you a better overview. 

2) Reflect. Now that you have an idea of HOW you are spending money it’s important to acknowledge the WHY. If you have noticed you are spending money unnecessarily, think about why this may be. Ask yourself questions such as: when I bought (insert item) how did it make me feel? Would I buy this again and why? Did it have any negative knock on effects such as debt related anxiety for example.

Tip: Be sure to double check that you are receiving any government funds you are entitled to. You can check what you may be eligible for on this website https://www.entitledto.co.uk

3) Get some professional financial advice. If you need further assistance to get yourself in a better financial situation or have money problems related to debt there are many organisations out there you can turn to, we have listed some down below. Be honest about your situation and put into action what they advise. 

DISCLAIMER: Please make sure that you only go to trusted advisors as there are many financial scam companies. We will list some trusted ones below however, please be aware that if you do consult these organisations you do so at your own risk. 

4)  Talk to someone about your mental health. If you notice a decline in your mental healt, please do speak to someone you trust. Here at Bennu, we have professional, qualified therapists (they are not financial advisers) who will be able to guide you through an emotional, mental assessment and therapy if need be. Get in contact by sending an email to info@bennu.org.uk 

Remember to also be taking care of yourself and mental health in general. For further information in regards to this, check out our blog post on self- care here.

We hope this blog post has been helpful to you, please do share and comment. 

If you are in need of any further assistance, then please to get in touch today at info@bennu.org.uk and check out our useful blog posts which are listed below as well as our services we provide. 

Disclaimer: If you believe you or someone you know needs immediate/urgent attention, please do not wait. Contact Samaritans or NHS right now in the useful links provided below. 

BENNU 

Useful Financial Help Links

stepchange.org

citizensadvice.org.uk

elefriends.org.uk

trusselltrust.org

nationaldebtline.org

shelter.org.uk

moneysavingexpert.com

Useful links

https://www.samaritans.org

https://www.mind.org.uk

https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/mental-health-services/

Emegerncy Mental Health  help 

https://www.samaritans.org

You call UK emergency services by dialling 999 

*Not all images are our own, all credit to the original designers

Reflectin image for blog

End of Year Mental Health Reflection

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Approaching the end of the year can be a great  time to reflect and set new goals. That is why in todays post we thought it appropriate to address this in todays post. 

Disclaimer: We know this time of year can be really hard for many and our thoughts go out to anyone experiencing a difficult time. Please check out our post Christmas blues as it may very well resonate with you.

10 Questions of Reflection 

Reflection is always good guiding us and helping us evaluate. Offering healthy, successful progression, and today we want to provide you with 10 questions as a guide for reflection.

We encourage you to  go through these and write down your answers. These questions are also great to do with your child.

  1. What has been your best highlight of this year and why? 
  2. What has been your worst highlight and why? 
  3. How do you best capture your year in 3 words?
  4. If you had any goals, did you reach them? How does that make you feel? (If you did not reach them, know that everyday is a new day and it is never to late to start again.)  
  5. What are you grateful for? 
  6. Do you have any new years resolutions or goals? What are you going to do to ensure you get there?
  7. Where would you like to be this time next year? 
  8. How would you rate your mental health state throughout this year out of 5? (5 being my mental health has been really good and 0 being it has been absolutely terrible) 

Disclaimer: If you have rated yourself under 3 please do speak to someone. We have our trusted, qualified therapists here at Bennu, where you can in get in touch for further assistance and mental assessment. 

9)  What have I enjoyed doing this year? How did it make me feel? 

10) What do you hope to discover about yourself in the year ahead? 

Now that you have reviewed this year take some time to think about how you are feeling about entering a new year. Are you anxious? Are you excited? Or perhaps a bit of both. It is normal to have some anticipation towards the new year.  Perhaps in the new year you are making a commitment towards your mental health as it is so important to take of your mind. Our qualified and trusted therapists can assist you with a mental health assessment as well as therapy and any other questions you may have, please do get in touch with us today here or by sending an email to info@bennu.org.uk 

Disclaimer: If you or your child are experiencing any mental difficulty during the Christmas period or any time please to not hesitate to contact one of our specialised therapists by getting in contact here. If your case is urgent please contact the Samaritans 24 hour helpline or dial 999. Useful links are also listed below. 

Take care of yourself and Happy New Year, 

BENNU 

Useful links

https://www.samaritans.org

https://www.mind.org.uk

https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/mental-health-services/

*Not all images are our own, all credit to the original designers

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Taking Care of Your Child’s Mental Health 

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Mental health is just as important as your physical health. You may struggle with many ailments and illnesses, that leave you at a physical loss.  There may also be other factors in a person life that leaves them feeling at a loss… finances, home, car and other things that we are deeply attached too, but what happens when you lose your mind? For some people, they may feel that they have lost it all.  Today we are sharing our top tips on what you can do to encourage good mental health for your child.

1)Taking Care of Your Own Mental Health 

As parents/guardians there is already a responsibility on you to be there constantly for your child in all aspects. It is so important that you yourself have your own mental health in a good state. This is not only important for you in general but this will also reflect onto your child. Most children have a good sense of how their parents/guardians are feeling and can be quite sensitive to your emotions, this is also why it is important to ensure you are doing all you can for your own mental health. Of course, we understand you may not always be 100%. We have some advice on our other blog posts which you may find insightful. Most importantly, do not be frightened to reach out for help when you need it – the sooner you do, the better. 

We have qualified, therapists here who will be more than happy to have a chat with you, as well as the other resources which can be found on our website. 

2)Trust Between You and Your Child 

In order for your child to have a good mental state it’s imperative to build trust in your relationship. Your child needs to feel the love that you have for them in order to trust you as a safe place to confine in. Simple things like paying attention to what they like and participating in these activities. Showing your support by attending their events such as: sport events, school assemblies and anything else they are involved in. This support and encouragement may develop the bond and trust between you and your child. It also opens the door for conversation and interaction. Also knowing their parent/guardian is actively present in their life is mentally healthy for children. 

3)Praising Your Child for the Small 

As human beings, on occasions, we tend to voice the negative and hold back the positive. Start intentionally praising your child, even for the small things that may not seem a big deal to you but can make a huge difference to you child feel confident, proud and good about themselves. This will contribute to your child forming a positive mind-set.  Constant negative feed-back and bad thoughts, are likely to bring an adult down, let alone a child. However, by using this method to regularly praise the ‘small things’, you are training them to recognise the good they do over the “bad, in turn developing a healthier  mind. 

Tip: You can take this a set a further by starting daily positive affirmations that you and your child say together.  

4)Routine 

Despite your child constantly trying to push their bedtime back later and later, children love routine! It is healthy for all of us, and children adapt quickly to routine because of how good their bodies know it is for them. Part of good mental health is sleep. It’s important to ensure your child is getting enough sleep and where possible implement a routine. With a routine, your child subconsciously knows what to expect which lowers anxiety and increases structure, which the brain loves! 

Tip: If your child is not in a routine at the moment, don’t worry, just start one! It’s never too late until you say so. 

5)Exercise 

Get that heart pumping and blood flowing! When you exercise your brain releases a chemical called dopamine, it’s your bodies way of telling you “well done”. Too little isn’t good (too much is also extremely dangerous). The right balance of dopamine is extremely healthy and needed. If you are to take care of your Childs mental health you must also take into consideration their physical health. If you think their physical activity needs to increase, make it fun and engaging! Kids love to have a good time. Just be sure you are doing something to get them active. 

Tip: Exercise can be as simple as walking. Why not join your child’s school Walking Bus? Both you and your child will be getting some good exercise, as well as socialising with other members your community. A win- win! 

We hope this post has been helpful. Honestly, it comes down to being intentional with your child/children, and being that safe haven when they need it. If you are in need of any further assistance then please to get in touch today at info@bennu.org.uk and check out our useful blog posts which are listed below as well as our services we provide. 

Disclaimer: If you believe your child is dealing with something more severe and serious, please get in touch with one of our therapists. 

Disclaimer: If you believe your child needs immediate/urgent attention Please do not wait. Contact Samaritans or NHS right now in the useful links provided below. 

BENNU 

Useful links

https://www.samaritans.org

https://www.mind.org.uk

https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/mental-health-services/

*Not all images are our own, all credit to the original designers

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KEEPING YOUR CHILD ENTERTAINED IN THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS 

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With July marking the start of the long awaited six week summer holiday in the UK, we thought it useful, to share some tips on how to keep your child entertained throughout this time! They may start off the summer holidays all excited but not so long after you hear the all too familiar phrase ‘I’m bored’ with these tips were about to share, you’ll be more than ready! 

Of course we love to get creative and encourage family bonding at Bennu, so we have a list of activities centred around this! We have tried our best to keep them fun, free or to a very low budget and engaging. Lets get started!

Sock Puppets 

This is so easy but fun. to make.   Gather some old socks, attach different bobbles etc for the eyes/nose and have some puppet fun! You can make a whole cast of characters and get your child/children to create a puppet show that they later perform for you. This will get their creative storytelling juices flowing meanwhile whist they are practising it buys you some time to get things done around the house or have some chill time to yourself..every parents delight!  Small facial objects not suitable for children under 3

Tip: Before the end of the school year teachers will usually start to clear out their cupboards. Ask your child’s school if they have any spare arts/crafts bits they can give you to take home. This will save you money and also expand your home arts/crafts selection.

Chocolate Cornflake Nests 

This is a classic. Super easy and delicious! The kids will love this and you’ll be able to cheer them on to eat a few more veggies for a cornflake cake…

All you need to do is:

  • 150g of cornflakes or rice krispies
  • 100g of melted milk chocolate
  • Mix them together in a bowl, put them into fairy cake cases and leave them to set in the fridge for an hour…Vwala!

Tip: Make sure to check for traces of nuts in any chocolate especially if you are looking after someone’s child with a nut allergy. 

Do the Garden 

If you have a garden why not get your kids and their friends involved in turning it around. This gets them outdoors but is also a great group activity for some family bonding. It can be a whole days worth of activity, keeping everyone occupied and they’ll probably be exhausted by the end of it, leaving you extra time in the evening to relax. Whist your at it, why not plant some new seeds and encourage your child to watch them grow throughout the year? 

Local Library Reading Challenge 

Most boroughs run reading challenges throughout the summer holidays. Whereby there are a selection of books to choose from and the more you read the higher up you go in completing the challenge, and they may just throw in a few prizes. This is an absolute win as it encourages your child to read more and its completely free!  

If your library does not run a challenge, we suggest you can make up your own by borrowing books from the library and setting different rewards each time your child finishes a chapter. 

Movie Day/Night 

You can’t go wrong with this one! Get some snacks in and get to watching some films together. These are often part of the beautiful memories and days that children remember most years to come. This is a great one also for a rainy day. Just be sure to keep the age certificate right for your child’s age. 

Borough Summer School Schemes 

Many boroughs run summer schemes throughout the six week holiday, made up of all kinds of activities from drama, music, painting, mathematics, ICT and much more for various ages. Not only is it fun and your child will get to interact and make new friends, some actives are free! Ask your children school or call up you local council or website to enquire for more information. 

Tip:  Sign your child up asap as places quickly fill up and are on a first come first served bases! 

What are some of your favourite activities to do with your children and keep them entertained? Comment below and let us know! 

*If you or your child are experiencing any mental difficulty during the summer time please to not hesitate to contact one of our specialised therapists by getting in contact here. If your case is urgent please contact the Samaritans 24 hour helpline. Useful links are also listed below. 

Take care of yourself and have a wonderful summer holiday!

BENNU 

Useful links

https://www.samaritans.org

https://www.mind.org.uk

https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/mental-health-services/

*Not all images are our own, all credit to the original designers 

body image bennu blog.

Learning To Love Your Body Unconditionally

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This month is mental health month and the theme according to the mental health foundation is
body image – how we feel and think of our bodies.
Last year it was found that 30% of all adults have been stressed about their body and felt
unable to cope. That can work out to be 1 in every 3 adults. It is clear this is such an issue our
society needs to continue to tackle. Today we want to share with you some advice on learning
to love your body unconditionally.

Accepting Where You Are

Sometimes when we look at the mirror we can be so judgmental on what we see. It can feel like
an unending battle to self perfection (which doesn’t exist by the way!) and it can get you down
and take over. If this resonates with you, it’s important to accept where you are with your body
image, that you may be struggling. Once you have accepted this, you can start a journey to a
healthier outlook on your body.
You may cast of your thoughts about yourself as normal as you may think its common in today’s
society to battle with body confidence however nonetheless it still isn’t healthy and we want you
to love your body the way you deserve! Wouldn’t you rather have such a beautiful outlook on
yourself both internally and externally? You don’t have to wait to be a certain size, shape or
some kind of appearance you can decide to start loving yourself right now!

Comparing Yourself  To  Others

With social media, magazines, television and so much else going on around us, it can at times
almost seem natural to compare ourselves to others. However this shouldn’t be the case. It’s
great to celebrate other people and okay to admire but if you find you are getting down and
constantly comparing yourself, something needs to change. Your body is so your very own! No
one is quite like you. Your body is the vehicle you have that’s taking you around life, you should
cherish it. Your body is one of a kind! It is precious. It may seem so cliché to say but there is no
one like you and you should value yourself.
A lot of the time anyway, the people you are comparing yourself to have been edited or they are
just showing you the best angles of their body.
Either way you should celebrate your own body and know that its unique.

Being Overly Self-conscience  

A lot of the time due to what someone else has said about us in regards to our body it can take
root in our minds and hearts. For example if someone called you ‘fat or skinny’ in your childhood
even though you are an adult living a healthy lifestyle you may still feel like you’re not good enough and despise your body. There can be conscience and subconscious memories shaping the way you view yourself in regards to your body image. It’s important to understand that people who ridicule others are only reflecting their own insecurities. It doesn’t make it right and
you deserve to love your body unconditionally.

The Road To Positive Body Image

How do we heal from our body image hurts and move onto a positive outlook and unconditional
love for ourselves? At Bennu we will never advice you to ignore your feelings but rather
acknowledge how you feel. Here are some practical steps you can take

  • Talking to someone you trust about how you are feeling. Just letting someone know can
    be helpful in relieving some of the pressure you may be experiencing.
  • Keeping a daily journal of how you are feeling and when.
  • Speaking positive affirmations about yourself such as ‘I am beautiful’ ‘My body is
    amazing and powerful’ can make a big difference. It is most effective when said out loud
    in your own voice as it is more likely to settle into your subconscious mind.
  • Getting your feelings out be it by: journaling, abstract drawing/painting, creative writing, music or
    however you feel best expresses you is something we thoroughly encourage.

We also have our specialised therapist in these designated areas as stated above who would be more than
happy to assist you through this healing journey. Get in touch with us today here.
If you feel or know someone whose case is urgent please contact Samaritans 24 hour helpline
below. Other useful links are also listed.

Take care of yourself and remember you are beautiful!

BENNU

 

Useful links

https://www.samaritans.org

https://www.mind.org.uk

https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/mental-health-services/

*Not all images are our own, all credit to the original designers 

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