At some point, most of us will need time out from an overwhelming environment. Maybe we want a moment to process a change that just happened or pause before working through a challenge we’re dealing with. Perhaps we have difficult feelings that we know we should manage such a stress or frustration.
Our surroundings have a big impact on our mood and general well-being. Having a safe and peaceful place to go can help us step away for a moment to find calm. When we spend time in a calm place, we pause to give our brains and bodies a break so we can feel more in control of our emotions. This can help us to refocus and engage again with the group.
In today’s Wellness Wednesday, we learn how to create our calm place.
Try this:
As a class, group or family:
· Start a conversation about places that people associate with calm or feeling relaxed.
· Next, ask everyone to think to themselves about what calm and peaceful looks like, sounds like, and feels like for them. Some prompts include: where do you feel most relaxed? What do you see? What do you hear? Are there smells? Textures? What comforts you to bring calm? Is this the same at home as it is at school or work? If not, what will you add to your place?
· After a few minutes, invite people to share some ideas.
· Talk about how we can use these ideas to create our calm place in our minds so that we have the power to think of this place any time we need a break.
· Invite everyone to close or lower their eyes and imagine they are in their calm place. Encourage everyone to take time to notice the details of their calm place. We can imagine it with our five senses anytime we need to find calm and focus.
Ask yourself, there is no wrong answer:
How does my environment help me to feel calm?
When might I need to imagine my calm place?
Connecting to our faith:
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” (John 14:27)
Further learning:
POSTER: (elementary) https://smho-smso.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/SEL-Posters-Calm-Place.pdf (secondary) https://smho-smso.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/SEL-Posters-Secondary-Calm-Place.pdf.pdf
CHILDREN’S BOOK: “I Choose to Calm My Anxiety” by Elizabeth Estrada
EDUCATOR RESOURCE: SEL Calm Place (video)
PUBLIC HEALTH EDUCATOR TOOL: Coping, Resiliency, and Stress Mental Health Series www.swpublichealth.ca/en/partners-and-professionals/resources/Educators/Curriculum/December-and-January-Mental-Health-Resource-for-Schools-English-Version-16.pdf
SOCIAL MEDIA SHARABLE: https://smho-smso.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Inspire-2-scaled.jpg