Activities to promote good mental health & wellbeing in young people What is gratitude? Gratitude is one of many positive emotions. It’s about focusing on what’s good in our lives and being thankful for the things we have. Gratitude is pausing to notice and appreciate the things that we often take for granted, like having a place to live, food, clean water, friends, family, even computer access. It’s taking a moment to reflect on how fortunate we are when something good happens — whether it’s a small thing or a big thing. We can use lots of words to describe feelings of gratitude: We might say we feel thankful, lucky, fortunate, humbled, or blessed. Why gratitude matters Gratitude doesn’t just feel good. Making a habit of gratitude can also be good for us. Like other positive emotions, feeling grateful on a regular basis can have a big effect on our lives. Brain research shows that positive emotions are good for our bodies, minds, and brains. “Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, ‘What! You too? I thought I was the only one.” – C.S. Lewis Hugs relieve stress & pain Hugging often creates a feeling of calmness and relaxation. That’s because of oxytocin, which is sometimes called the “cuddle hormone.” Oxytocin is released when people or pets snuggle up or bond socially. This release can have a domino effect throughout the body and has been found to: -Reduce inflammation. -Improve wound healing. -Lower heart rate and stress. Goal setting Goals Can: -Improve self-image -Increase awareness of one’s strengths -Prove an experience of success -Facilitate effective visualisation -Encouraging prioritisation -Define reality and separating it from wishful thinking -Builds responsibility for one’s self -Improving decision making 40 yoga moves to try at home

June is LGBT Pride Month! Celebrate Pansexual Pride! Celebrate Bisexual Pride! Celebrate Gay Pride! Celebrate Lesbian Pride! Celebrate Genderfluid Pride! Celebrate Trans Pride! Celebrate Intersex Pride!