Silence
Although it is often difficult to reduce the activity in your head, whether concerns about upcoming events, recollections of believed to be awkward social events, or just simple worries, taking even 5 minutes of time to do absolutely nothing can be particularly peaceful. It may allow for a reassessment of upcoming, or recent events and create a more positive outlook towards them.
Sitting in a comfortable place, with no distractions and either closing your eyes or looking around at your surroundings… it can be a peaceful way to ‘check out of’ the hectic schedules of the week.
People often talk about silence providing appreciation of oneself, giving yourself a small period of time that is solely focused on your self-care and state of mind. Even if there is a pressing deadline due and you feel as if you cannot spare even 2 minutes away from working towards that deadline - it can help to add a more positive perspective onto your actions: you might return from your moment of silence with a fresh mind and new thoughts.
What young people have told us:
'It helps to sit in silence sometimes. I find it very peaceful and calming.'
'Just take some time to sit in silence. Even just 5 minutes can be really helpful and you could find it peaceful.'
There isn’t much academic research in the area of self-care for young people who are living with mental health issues. We are trying to find out more about what works for different people so we can better advise other young people what to try.
If you’ve tried this activity when you were struggling in relation to your mental health, please let us know if it helped you and how by clicking on the ‘Did this activity help you’ button.