Mind Your Mondays

This lockdown is incredibly different to the first don’t you think? We’re all feeling it.

That’s why we've joined forces with Sarah at Mindful Stonehaven to produce a weekly "Mind Your Mondays" series, bringing you some small nuggets of wisdom to promote your well-being and that of your family.

Sarah works within Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire schools teaching young people to become more aware of their thoughts and help them navigate daily life.

Keep an eye on our Facebook and Instagram each Monday for the latest post.

We'll also add each week's post to this page after it's gone out on social media so you can browse through everything below.

Week 1 - Start

If you’re finding life difficult, a bit challenging just now, you’re not alone x

Stressed out with home schooling or working flat out and no time?

Not working at all and worried about the future?

Caring for your family or home alone, we’re all at different places just now.

Yet we’re all finding this tiring, strange, difficult so how do we look after ourselves….

Don’t wait to be motivated, just start.

Science tells us that when we’re feeling low, we might not feel like looking after ourselves.

The key to getting started with new habits, routines or rituals is just to do it, to take the first small step, to start where you are.

Want to get fitter? Don’t wait for Monday - get started with a short walk today.

Want to feel less stressed? Take a short pause every time you boil the kettle for a cuppa.

Want to feel less isolated? Pick up the phone and chat with your family, a pal or a colleague.

So today, if you’re finding things difficult, remember you’re not alone, we’re all in this together and take just one small step to get started - start as you are.

Week 2 - Take a Moment

Today, take a moment and check-in with yourself - how are you?

Such a simple technique and what sounds like a really innocent question but when we’re busy, getting through our days, surviving these changing times, it can feel as if we’re a hamster on a wheel, as if every day is groundhog day.

We call this autopilot and it’s a great survival technique developed by our brains - we can really only concentrate properly on one thing at a time. Any more tasks and we’re a bit like a computer with too many tabs open, we just get slower and slower, a bit forgetful & worn out.

Ever had someone ask you how you are and you’ve replied ‘I’m fine’….. Yet underneath you’re anything but fine.

Checking in on ourselves regularly, pausing and taking a moment to notice how we’re feeling, stepping out of autopilot and being really aware of what’s going on for us, can be super powerful, especially if we remember to be kind to ourselves, surviving a pandemic is difficult!

So today, have a go at taking a moment and see what you notice.