Page 21 - The Villager April 2021

perhaps eating issues or drug usage are be their bedroom – their sacred space.
surfacing, do not hesitate to get help. Spiritual care could even be giving back
a doctor or therapist can greatly assist through community service and feeling
• Follow the healthy eating guideline with the emotional care they need. there good about helping others.
depicted here, over the duration of a day: is no shame in needing help and the another aspect here is self-forgiveness.
• half your plate (what you consume) consequences of not acting early are far we all make mistakes and maybe your
should be a variety of different coloured worse. teen is grappling with that. the focus
fruits and vegetables. should be to learn from the mistake,
• a quarter should be wholegrains such Social care forgive themselves and move on.
as barley, brown rice, buckwheat, this pillar is all about connecting with Dwelling on mistakes and living in the
wholewheat products. others, and enjoying being with and past is not conducive to positive living.
• a quarter should be healthy proteins – interacting with friends and family,
meat, chicken, fish, and peas. who are the foundation of a support Personal care
• remember to include lots of water and system. It also includes positive and examples here are aspects such as their
try to only use and consume healthy oils. enjoyable social media interactions personal goals; and taking care of and
• watch out for empty calories – added and communication. It involves setting building their own personal brand which
sugars, solid fats, processed oils, desserts, boundaries and having the confidence includes self-awareness, being authentic,
biscuits, sugary drinks, sweets, energy to say ‘no’, thereby helping your teen to their ‘image’, having hobbies and other
drinks – they are loaded with calories make good choices and allowing them to interests, or being creative or sporty.
that don’t add any nutritional value. all protect themselves. their ‘personal brand’ is their relationship
they do is lead to weight gain and they remind your children to be aware with themselves; it’s about how they
can cause nutritional deficiencies. of social media influencers and tiktok promote themselves – without poses or
videos. they are often not real. they use filters. Choices made in this space have
EMOTIONAL CARE filters and special lenses and so body a direct impact on their reputation and
here, stress management comes into altering is prolific. It is important that others’ perceptions of them.
play – how to relax; arming yourself with your children don’t try to model their
coping skills; a positive attitude to life; looks and behaviour on something that TAKE-AWAY MESSAGES
empathy and compassion for others; is totally fake. • Self-acceptance is the key to being
perhaps even journaling, which allows happy – you are you! mindset is
your teen to unburden themselves, Spiritual care everything. accept your abilities.
conceptualise what they are thinking or this could be seen as religion, faith and accept your body shape, and take good,
feeling and in so doing to ‘get it all out’, in prayer, but it can also be alone time or considered care of it.
a safe space. meditation. It could be enjoying nature • Self-love is being the best you can be, in
If your child is experiencing difficulties by going for forest walks or camping if all spheres, for yourself.
such as anxiety and depression - or that is what they enjoy. For many, it could • Self-care means you look after you.

The Villager • Issue 4 2021 • 19