Take Notice. Remember the simple things that bring you joy. Pay attention to the present. Being mindful and aware of the positive parts of your life can help promote healthy living. Discuss with your child, things that are special and meaningful.

Try one of these:

• Write or say 2 things you are grateful for.
• Take 4 deep breaths being mindful of the air as it goes in and out.
• Ask a friend or family member what the best part of their day was.
• Practice yoga or meditation.
• Go outside and listen to the sounds of nature, find pictures in the clouds or gaze at the night sky.

Give Your time, Your work, Your presence.Volunteering and giving time to others provides one with pride and satisfaction. Talk to your child about positive ways that they can help others.

Here are some ideas:

• Find ways to spend time together, even if it is for a short time.
• Give one another a compliment for something you have noticed.
• Discuss ways that your household can give-back to the community, such as donate to a local food bank or shelter (clothing, food and/or household items). *Call ahead to see if they are accepting donations due to Covid-19 restrictions.
• Paint rocks with positive messages  and put them around the house or a path.
• Write positive notes for your family and friends.
• Record or write a message for someone you love.

Being active helps the mind and the body. Choose an activity that you enjoy! Always consider overall health, mobility and safety before proceeding.

Here are some ideas:

• Walk, hike or go for a light jog.
• Play with your pet
• Have a dance party
• Plan a project for cleaning inside or outside.
•  Challenge one another to a Jumping Jack Challenge.

Connect. Be there. Humans naturally need and desire connection and a sense of belonging. It can help people overcome difficult times knowing they are supported by others. Positive social interactions make us feel happy, connected and secure.

Here are some ideas:

• Engage in a family discussion where each person has a chance to talk about their day.
• Write a letter or email to someone you haven’t spoken to in awhile.
• Have a family WIFI, TV and text free day and bring out the old board games.
• Go for a walk or sit down and eat a meal together.

Keep Learning. Embrace new experiences and opportunities. Encourage learning that is fun and involves discovery and curiosity. Lifelong learning can also help develop self-confidence and skills necessary for achieving personal goals.

Here are some ideas:

• Talk about a new experience or hobby. Start planning!
• Discuss one goal that you would like to achieve by the end of the Summer Break, such as learning a sport, going outdoors more or being more active.
• Read and explore areas of interest.
• Watch a YouTube tutorial and learn a new skill that interests you.