LIFEMAPS Activities
To Build Positive Mental Health
L is for Learning
Learning something new is challenging and exciting.
Gaining new skills or activities that STRETCH not STRESS us
are good for mental health. r
Challenge: How do you fit TEN HORSES into NINE STABLES?
Learning CAN be fun - join Jenny as she makes the Ulster traybake "Fifteens"
I is for Intrinsic Motivation
Intrinsic Motivation is doing something that you want to do FOR YOU. Not because you have to.
F is for Flow
Flow activities are activities you become totally engrossed in, so much so that you can loose sense of place and time.
E is for Emotions
We all experience a range of emotions each and evey day.
You may be happy that you woke up before your alarm yet within 40 minutes be frustrated that the bus is late.
Being in touch with our emotions and how we feel is key in building our mental health.
Check out our mood meter below - how you are feeling right in this moment?
Did you know that for every negative emotion we experience,
we need to experience 3 positive emotions to counteract this?
Che Óg shares his rap on love...
If you are overwhelmed with an emotion this exercise can help ...
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🙃😉😋😛😝😜🤪😍😚😘🥰😗😭🤣😂😅😆😁😄😃😀🤗🙂🙃😉😋😛😝😜🤪😍😚😘🥰😗😭🤣😂😅😆😁😄😃😀🤗🙂
M is for Mindfulness
Mindfulness involves becoming aware of your body, mind and spirit. It is about bringing yourself to calm and being in the right here, right now.
Here are some breathing techniques that can help you ....
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Quick and easy mindfulness technique - no matter where you are ...
- Stop The Press
STOP The Press
- Mindfulness is not all soft lighting, sweet smelling candles and music
Mindfulness is not all soft lighting, sweet smelling candles and music
- Who is this guy?
Meet Wim Hof AKA The Ice Man.
He suggests you practice mindfulness by taking a COLD shower EVERY morning.
- A cold shower? You must be joking?
When our bodies are exposed to the cold, our minds stop thinking about worries (past, present or future)
Survival instinct kicks - we are fully in the moment.
Our first instinct is to breathe deeply - a sharp intake of breath and then exhale.
This is mindfulness practice at its best - no candles just cold water.
- Why it works?
So after your warm shower in the morning:
1. Take in 3 very deep breaths,
2. Turn the shower head to cold,
3. Time yourself for 15 seconds.
4. Showering in the cold, breathing in and out deeply right from the bottom of your belly.
5. Notice all those worries disappear
6. Be fully in the moment.
Each day you can increase the time. 10 seconds, 20 seconds, or by 30 seconds more - whatever you want to commit to.
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For some people who can't get out of the thoughts in the head, this is a daily act of mindfulness.
Please note that this technique should not be used by people with heart conditions, epilepsy and those who have had or are at risk of stroke.
For anyone who is interested in learning more about "The Iceman" you can sign up to a free online course where he takes you through each and every step.
It really does work.
https://www.onecommune.com/the-wim-hof-method-sign-up
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A is for Accomplishments
We feel good when we accomplish a goal we have set for ourselves. Our mental health improves as we feel pride and have a sense of pupose.
Celebrate the small, often things like making our bed as well as the bigger accomplishments like helping out a friend in need.
Matthew faces his fears and learns to dance.
What an accomplishment - you've got the moves!
P is for Purpose.
Having a clear sense of purpose in the world adds to our feeling of well being. if your purpose adds to the lives of others it tends to have more meaning. This is being "other regarding" - thinking of others not just yourself.
In order to keep to your purpose
Pause throughout the day and ask
Is what Im doing now bringing me closer to my purpose
or further away?
Now come up with your own mantra - my purpose is .... my feelings are ... I will do .... as a .... person
S is for Social Connections
Having strong relationships with others is a key part of having good mental health.
Relationships fulfil our basic needs such as
feeling valued, loved and listened to.
Get support for your mental health
Follow the links below for advice, training and 1 2 1 support
Support Our Work
YouthAction NI is committed to working with other sectoral representatives and partners to raise the quality and increase the reach of youth work and youth arts across Northern Ireland
We aim to support over 10,000 young people each year to discover their potential through our arts and creativity workshops, life and work skills programme and our health, wellbeing and peace projects.
We are always keen to explore new opportunities to develop our programmes and enhance the support we can offer young people locally.
You can support our work by giving a donation of money, time, product or skills. Every gift will help more young people discover their potential and empower them to improve their futures.
Registered Charity: NIC 106365
Company No: NI 035317
