World Poetry Day

What is World Poetry Day and how do we celebrate it?

Celebrated on the 21st March, World Poetry Day's purpose is to promote reading, writing, publishing and teaching of poetry worldwide. This is seen as important because poetry engages our emotions, we learn how to express ourselves through literature, this is particularly influential on children. Allowing a reader to connect to a poet and their own minds.

It was originally celebrated on the 15th of October in the 20th century, which was the birthday of the Roman epic poet Virgil. The date for the 21st March was discovered by Unesco in 1999. 

We can celebrate it with 3 simple tips: 

1. A zoom gathering 

Due to Covid, we can celebrate virtually. Get all your friends and family on a zoom call to read your favourite poems. Maybe even a poem that may help one another during these unprecedented times.

2.  Celebrate other cultures 

World Poetry Day aims to celebrate cultural diversity, try and find a poem from another country that brings you inspiration and meaning.

3. Write your own poem

Even if writing is not your forte, jot some ideas down on a notepad, get your thoughts out and see where it takes you. No pressure or expectations, just flow with your own writing and mind. A great way to express yourself and possibly even relieve any tension you may be feeling or any current problems you are facing.

Images from: https://pixabay.com 

Sincerely Madia & Matilda 

Self Care Yoga Tips

 

With the current lockdown and strict tier system in place, this is the perfect time to focus on the mind and body. With our quick yoga tips you can begin to practice self-care at home. 

Yoga can be accessible and adaptable to the individual. The practice of yoga is not just physical, it is 90% mindful. Once you begin to align both of these together you will see the true benefits. If you are a beginner you can start off with some easy breathing techniques for your mind, and some beneficial stretches for your body.

Yoga is scientifically known to boost your immune system, improving your health, which it is essential to stay fit and healthy during the current pandemic. 

Lets begin with breathing, if you feel yourself becoming overwhelmed or stressed with exterior problems such as work, take two minutes to deep breathe. Take a long inhalation, following your breathing as it circulates the body and becomes a deep exhalation. Keep following those inhales and exhales, letting the shoulders release on the exhalation and your ribs lift on the inhalation. 

You can also try counting the breath, this is a great technique if you suffer from anxiety, lets try it now. Deep breath in for the count of 1, 2, 3 seconds. Deep breath out for the count of 3, 2, 1 seconds. Continue this and concentrate on the breath, this allows you to divert your focus on your body rather than your thoughts and overworked mind. 

Now some self-care yoga stretches, if you are sat at a desk or working from home, try this.. 

Begin with a supine twist for 8 breaths on your right side, followed by 8 breaths on your left side. This should release any tension built up in the lower back. 

Stretch your arms over the chair and lift your chest tilting the head back, from here we can take a shoulder squeeze pose. 

If you can take 10 minutes out of your day in the morning or evening, it is great for the mind and body to take a childs pose followed by a cobra pose on a yoga matt. These are simple yet effective. 

Most importantly, for self-care, celebrate yourself and trust yourself. Slow down and give yourself a few minutes a day to breathe, stretch, focus on your mind, body, and health. By doing this, we can heal ourselves through yoga. Allow yourself to let go each day at a time. 

Images from: https://pixabay.com/photos/sunset-panorama-dusk-nature-3084651/

Sincerely Madia & Matilda 

Mind Week - Mental Health Awareness Week

Mental Health Awareness Week starts every year on the second Monday in May, Mental Health Awareness Week 2019 will be taking place 13 -19 May.  We all know what it’s like to feel stressed - being under pressure is a normal part of life. But becoming overwhelmed by stress can lead to mental health problems or make existing problems worse.

Taking steps to look after your wellbeing can help you deal with pressure, and reduce the impact that stress has on your life.

There are still lots of practical things you can do to manage the amount of pressure you're under day to day.

We have complied a list of services that can support and advise on practical steps to help you 

Mind

Mind provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. We campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.

Everything we say and do is rooted in the experiences of people who know what it’s like to live with a mental health problem. That includes the thousands of people who rely on our local and national services, our incredible supporters and campaigners, our fundraisers, volunteers, staff and trustees. Their experiences bring our work to life.

Mind provide life-saving information when people need it most. Mind bang on doors and call for change; they demand that people get the support they need and the respect they deserve. And we show that there are actions we can all take to challenge stigma and transform experiences of mental health for the better. 

Rethink Metal Illness

Rethink Mental Illness is a charity that believes a better life is possible for the millions of people affected by mental Illness. For 40 years we have brought people together to support each other through our services, groups and campaign

CALM

The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is leading a movement against male suicide, the single biggest killer of men under 45 in the UK. Join the campaign to take a stand against male suicide and get the tools you need for action.

Child line 

Childline is a support service to help with whatever's on your mind to guide you & help you make decisions that are right for you.

Their tips and techniques, ideas and inspiration, can help you feel more in control and you can access them in your own time, at your own pace!

Beyond Blue

The Beyond Blue programme is aimed at mothers who develop mental health issues during or after pregnancy. It has recently been launched at the Bright Beginnings Children's Centre.

Samaritans

Samaritains make sure there’s someone there for anyone who needs someone.

Every year, they answer more than 5 million calls for help via their unique 24-hour listening service, email, SMS, letter, face to face and through our Welsh language service.

Samaritans give people ways to cope and the skills to be there for others.

From us at Madia & Matilda, We hope this list of available services, can be of some support or comfort for you, as mental health is so important to take care of and discuss how you are feeling. 

Sincerely Madia & Matilda