The Children’s Wellbeing Club began at Darwen Market last Saturday, and will continue to run every Saturday in March from half 9am till half 11am.
These sessions are run by Lisa Kennedy of Unwind Rebalance, who you may remember we did a Local Entrepreneur of the Week Facebook post in 2020, which you can read here.
Mindfulness, wellbeing and creative expression
Lisa is passionate about holistic wellbeing and helping people to feel great – physically, mentally and emotionally. A lot of wellness content we see online is focused towards adults, but it should most definitely apply to children, too. The past couple of years have been incredibly disruptive and confusing for children, with schools being closed, the challenges of learning at home, and being unable to see their friends and enjoy group activities. The Children’s Wellbeing Club is all about mindfulness, wellness, creative expression and more, and aims to give local children an outlet to let off some steam and relieve stress.
But what exactly is mindfulness, and how can it help us live better?
You may see mindfulness as a buzzword without much substance, or presume it’s convoluted and inaccessible to you. However, the true essence of being mindful is a very simple concept in reality, and it’s something we can all practise without equipment or spending money.
Mindfulness is about being present in the current moment and being conscious of focusing on yourself, what you’re doing, how you’re feeling and what your senses are experiencing, rather than being trapped within our worries and stresses. Although a simple concept, in a digitally connected world where we are constantly bombarded with information, it can actually be very tricky to be mindful. Children today are far more aware of current events, news and what’s going on in the world around them. While this has several positives, it can also be a source of worry, and make it tough to live in the moment.
Simple ways to be more mindful
Practising mindfulness can be as simple as focusing on your breathing for a few minutes in a quiet room, or making the effort to enjoy the simple pleasures in life, such as savouring a hearty meal, or really taking the time to tune into the music you’re listening to – to consciously feel every beat and pick out the rhythm. You could also incorporate gentle exercise into mindfulness, by going for a short walk and really focusing on the sounds and sights, rather than walking on autopilot or with earphones in. Getting to grips with mindfulness and focusing on the present moment takes practice, and you shouldn’t feel defeated if your mind wonders. The NHS has more information on Mindfulness here.
Join the Children’s Wellbeing Club at Darwen Market
Lisa is equipped with the experience and fun techniques to help children practise mindfulness and communicate through creativity. The (totally free) Wellbeing Club is a drop-in style, so parents and children can come by as and when, between 9:30am and 11:30am during remaining Saturdays in March. You can ask questions via Lisa’s Unwind Rebalance Lounge Facebook page, and we would love it if you could share any photos or feedback with us – be sure to tag Darwen Market on Instagram and/or Facebook.
