Games and exercises
A selection of games and exercises that are designed to keep your mind healthy.
The Big Garden Bird Watch
Want to do some bird watching? RSPC created this event in 1979 and since then thousands of people have taken part each year.
Recycled Crafts
Here are some arts and crafts you can do to in your free time that are also environmentally friendly.
Drawing Tutorials
Looking for something to do when you're bored, here are some free drawing tutorials for you to have a try!
Ways to stay active
The Jack Petchey Foundation have got some great ways to stay active, whether that's physically, or with hobbies and creative stuff. It's been put together to use during the coronavirus lockdown, but the ideas here are useful the rest of the time too.
(Photo: Henry Xu on Unsplash)
Mocktails
Here are some mocktails recipes for you to try!
Puzzles
Here are some online puzzles for you to have a try! When you can't think of anything else to do, pick one of these puzzles and enjoy.
12 different art therapy activities to help reconnect with one’s self.
Art encourages the freedom of self-expression and helps one reconnect with themselves and the world around them. Art helps to heal one’s mental well-being by exploring different emotions and helping to tackle stress and anxiety. These activities will help you to realise that!
Being mindful without even realising!
The act of mindfulness a lot of the time can be rather intimidating and confusing, so here are a couple of simple activities that you can try to practice being mindful without even trying!
Simple Candle Meditation Technique
This is a simple meditation technique that you can do anywhere at any time if you need a break or just some time to relax.
Thanks Marc Ignacio for the image from Unsplash :)
Healthy VS Unhealthy Habits Activity
This an activity made by State of Mind Peer Mentors that you can do simply to promote your healthy habits and tackle your unhealthy ones! Image by Elena Mozhvilo on Unsplash
Some games to help you relax
Like gaming? Here is a list of games from the BBC that will help keep you relaxed during the lockdown.
Thanks for the image Alexey Savchenko from Unsplash!
Positive Pebbles
This is a great mindfulness activity as well as a way to add colour and positivity to your community in these crazy times! All you need is a rock, paint and your imagination. [Thanks for the pic Dan Gold from Unsplash!]
Gratitude Jar
A Gratitude Jar is a space for you to write to your future self. You note down on a scrap of paper what it is that you are grateful for, or happy about.
(Photo: Milan Popovic on Unsplash)
Journaling – Top Tips and Tricks
The point of journaling is to reflect on your day. You can find silver linings on cloudy days, and appreciate the sun when it shines on you.
(Photo: Ava Sol on Unsplash)
Mindful Baking: Victoria Sponge Cake
Laura shows us how to make her tasty victoria sponge cake and talks about how great baking is for your mental health and wellbeing. Want to try her recipe? (I know I do!) Share your final result with us on Instagram @Platfform4yp. Happy baking!
Box breathing for calm and concentration
A simple but effective breathing technique to help stop a panic attack in its tracks. It’s also just generally useful for calm, or for increasing concentration. A great way to stop and re-centre.
(Photo: Fabian Moller on Unsplash)
Bored? Ten fun things you can do right now
Learn a language! Build a fort! Bake something! Here's The Mix with their top ten things to do. It was written during the coronavirus lockdown - but they're all fun whatever's going on.
(Photo: Filip Mishevski on Unsplash)
Emotional Freedom Technique
Sometimes known as ‘tapping’, research varies on exactly why this works for some people, but many have found it to be a useful way of relieving stress or tension. It’s been used to treat other mental health symptoms, too.
(Photo by Diego PH on Unsplash)