At Banstead Prep we take wellbeing very seriously for both children and staff. Our Wellbeing Day provided an opportunity for all of us at BPS to kickstart the year by raising awareness of the importance of considering our own wellbeing and that of those around us, including social, physical, emotional, financial, community and environmental aspects of our wellbeing.
All year groups learnt about what wellbeing and mindfulness is and we collectively had a ‘Mindful Minute in a special assembly mid way through the morning. Mrs Windett also introduced a strategy to help us calm down when we need it – to Pause, Breathe and Smile.
Each class designed a team flag in their form time, thinking about the qualities that a great team, like Team GB, have, which are now on display in each form room. The teachers linked each lesson to wellbeing to bring it to life for the children, for example Year 3 timed physical activity to link Maths with wellbeing.
If you would like to experience a Mindful Minute at home, try this clip that the children saw in assembly: Mindful Minute
What is Wellbeing?
A simple definition is, ‘Living a life where one regularly experiences positive emotions (like joy, peace, love, curiosity, fun) feels that, overall, life is going well, together with feeling engaged in work and interests, and having a sense of meaning and purpose.’ It is unrealistic to think we will feel happy all of the time. We can actually make ourselves feel less happy if we’re always trying to feel great because this is an unachievable goal. We will all experience loss, heartache, anxiety, loneliness etc at times. These feelings are normal to life’s difficulties and they can help us to grow. We become wiser by learning to navigate through the tricky times. Without difficulties, we cannot hope to develop our levels of resilience, which is a core part
of leading a happy life.
What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness means paying attention to what’s happening in the present moment in the mind, body and external environment, with an attitude of curiosity and kindness. It is typically cultivated by a range of simple meditation practices, which aim to bring a greater awareness of thinking, feeling and behaviour patterns, and to develop the capacity to manage these with greater skill and compassion. This is found to lead to an expansion of choice and capacity in how to meet and respond to life’s challenges and therefore live with greater wellbeing, mental clarity and care for yourself and others.
