Self-help Ideas
Self-help strategies have been proven to have a positive impact on your emotional wellbeing, they can also help empower you.
Creative Activities
Collage – people often think of drawing and painting when they hear the word “creative”. But there are many other ways to be imaginative, one of these is collaging. Start by cutting out magazine pictures to create a vision board of your goals and hopes for the future. Make sure the magazines have been read by whoever owns them first!
Creative writing – use your words to express how you are feeling. This can take many forms, some of them include: journalling, writing letters poems, songs, raps, and stories. You can also experiment with writing how you feel and tearing it up after.
Useful journal prompts ideas: jot down what you feel and how you have felt throughout the day. If you have felt low low write down what it is you needed to help you. What could or did someone say or do to support you that might be helpful? What can you do that tends to help when you feel low or upset? As it can be hard to pinpoint these in the moment you feel upset, having them written somewhere can really help.
Write a letter to your future self. Reflect on what you would like to hear 5 years from now and make sure to leave space to offer words of encouragement.
DIY/upcycling used furniture or items – make something out of wood, it can be wood from a store or found in your garden or local park. How about upcycling some of your old furniture or other items? By changing your surroundings, you can get a fresh start and a new perspective and having something to look at once your done can help you feel satisfaction. Again, make sure you have permission before you alter anything!
Draw or paint your feelings – sometimes words can be tricky to find when we are trying to work out how we feel. Instead of talking try drawing or painting what you are experiencing. Play around with different colours, shapes and textures to represent the emotion(s) you are feeling.
Doodle – there is a lot to be gained from spending time doodling. Start with a blank piece of paper and fill it with what you want and how you want. If this sounds good but you like a bit more structure try Zentangle.
Feelings Wheel – do you struggle to name the emotions that you are experiencing? Create your own feelings wheel. It’s a simple, yet creative way to help you identify your different emotions.
Resilience/Self-care box -create a self-care box to hold items that provide you comfort and support. These could be worry stones/worry dolls, headphones, essential oils, nail care items, fidget toys, tea, tissues, moisturiser, positive notes etc.). Decorate the outside with quotes and pictures that inspire you to keep going!
Scribble it out! – perhaps you are feeling cross or angry or anxious. Get a spare piece of paper (better still re-purpose a piece of paper that one side is finished with). Scribble without thought using different levels of pressure while you scribble and then reflect on how you feel afterwards. Do different colours or pens/pencils help ease different emotions?
Take photos – Most of us nowadays have in-built cameras in our phones. Use this clever technology to look through your life with a different lens by capturing moments of clarity and joy with a camera. Reflect on the photos you take by writing down what you saw, felt, heard and thought of when you snapped the picture. You can also write down these thoughts and feelings each time you look back on them in the future.