Happy Jar

Every day may not be good, but there is something good about every day.

1. Collect a jar, decorate as you choose
2. Every day write down something you have to be happy for
3. At the end of the time period (week/month/term/year) tip them all out and look through to remind yourselves of the good things around you

Glitter Jar

Don’t be afraid to sparkle.

1. Find a jar
2. Add water half way up the jar
3. Add a squeeze of glitter glue
4. Add a couple of drops of food coloring (the same colour as the glitter glue)
5. Add some glitter which is also the same colour
6. Add some glycerin (available in chemists)
7. Top up with water
8. Seal the jar
9. Shake to relieve stress and anxiety

Gratitude Journal

When some things go wrong, take a moment to be thankful for the things that are going right.

1. Find a gorgeous book that you like or make your own
2. Every day write down three things you are grateful for today – if you can’t manage three do at least one a day
3. At the end of the time period (week/month/term/year) review

Happy Playlist

Where words fail, music speaks up.

Create a playlist with all your favorite songs and ones that give you happy thoughts. Each time you feel anxious or stressed, listen to it.

Pebble Pictures

1. Paint pebbles with different faces/ words to express different emotions.
2. You can choose the emotion you want to work on, or a selection of emotions.
3. Then think about what triggers these emotions, and how you can deal with them

Silky Play Dough

1. Mix 2 cups of cornstarch to 1 cup of hair conditioner.
2. Drop in a couple of drops of an essence which keeps you calm (lavender, mint) and knead into the dough.
3. Add in colour drops if you want colored dough.

Grounding Technique

A really good grounding techniques to think of.

1. 5 things they can see
2. 4 things they can hear
3. 3 things they can smell
4. 2 things they can touch

Dream Catchers

Make a wish, take a chance, and make a change.

1. Decide what circle to use for the base of your catcher. Something such as an embroidery hoop. Something such as a wire coat hanger would work too (bend it into shape)
2. Use string, wool or thread and wrap it around your hoop. Use the spare part at the end to make a loop.
3. Weave your thread from side to side to create a web.
4. If you choose to, then you can add decorative beds/ feathers, to dangle of it.

Anti-Stress Balls

Take a deep breath in, and remember this feeling will pass.

1. Over a bowl use a small plastic bag to scoop rice and flour mixture into. Tie with a knot and cut away the excess.
2. Then cut the ends off two good quality balloons, stretch one over one end then the other over the other end.
3. Using a permanent pen draw a face

Positive Affirmations

When things go wrong, don’t go with them.

Choose some positive affirmations that have meaning for you.  Stick them around where you live or carry one with you to help when you are stressed.

Journals, Diaries & Books

Either I will find a way, or I will make one.

Writing can be a good way to deal with stress and many people enjoy keeping a diary or journaling.  This also creates a record that can be looked back on.  There are many different types of books that you can make – as a cheaper alternative to buying and you can design them yourself, making them much more tailored to you.

Writing Letters

Some young people have found it useful to write letters to themselves when they were going through a difficult time or at a certain age.  This can be cathartic and enables the young person to give themselves advice.  It can also be useful to write a letter to someone who has upset you or made you angry to enable your emotions to be aired – even though you may never send it.