Breathe
Breathing Bubble
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Follow along with a breathing meditation to help you calm down or center your thinking.
Comfort Foods
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What foods bring you comfort? Watch this video for some ideas.
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Do you need food or supplies for your family? Text the word FAMILY to 56525 and we will help!
10 Minute Meditation
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Find a quiet place. Turn your volume down so that you can listen quietly.
Online Art
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Don't have any coloring books or markers at home? That's ok! You can color and do art activities online.
Celestial Noise
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Some people like a steady humming sound (like a fan) to help them relax.
Calm Sounds
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If celestial sounds are not your "thing", you can find many other calming sounds on this website.
Online Puzzle
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Putting together a puzzle can be a soothing distraction. When you put 2 puzzle pieces together, the sound is oddly satisfying.
Virtual Kayak
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Take a virtual kayak trip and listen to the sounds of water and nature.
Listen to a Book
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Close your eyes and listen to a story. Maybe take a nap or use at bedtime.
Virtual Reality Hot Air Balloon
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Turn down the volume and listen to the music quietly while you virtually soar through the air. Use the arrows in the top left corner to look up/down or left/right.
Sleep Stories
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Listen to a Sleep Story for adults or try a CALM meditation. Kids' stories and activities are available too!
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Stay Connected
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Stay connected to friends, family and supports. Send a letter, text/call, or video chat.
Let Go
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Use this meditation to let go of future worries and stay in the now.
Coping Ideas
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Use this Coping Calendar for ideas that help us keep calm, stay wise, and be kind.
Yoga for Uncertain Times
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There are several FREE yoga videos in this series.
Try this one for loneliness.
Sensory Bottles
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Use items that you have at home to make fidgets or sensory items.
Journal or Diary
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Customize a FREE online journal. There are lots to try: food diary, health diary, dream journal, reflective journal, prayer journal and more!
Reflexology
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Reflexology is a traditional medicine used to improve health through pressure point massage. Give it a try- even if you do not believe in the science, the massage will feel great!
Free Music
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Visit the "Isle of Calm" to stream 6 hours of free music.
You'll find classical, folk, jazz, ambient, pop, blues, soul, hip-hop, indie-rock and more!
Create a Calm Space
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Create a calm down space for each person in your home.
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Click here to see a "fort" that Jacinta Moss created for her son. She hung a blanket and added calming activities. He loves it! (Jacinta is Co-Chair of our Family Service Committee.)
Scents & Emotions
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Think about how a lemon smells...or cookies just out of the oven or freshly mowed grass. How does it make you feel? Certain scents can help us feel calm or happy. Give it a try with some items that you have at home!
Butterfly Hug
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This technique works for kids AND adults! It can hep reduce anxiety and stress.
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Regular hugs work too! Spend some time snuggling a pet or getting/giving a hug to your family or friends.
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Fidgets
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Fidgets are another great way to calm down, relax, or distract yourself from stress. Turn down your volume and then try this virtual fidget spinner. The more you spin, you can unlock new fidget spinners.
Resilience
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Marika shares some ideas about resilience and shows how to practice mindfulness & deep breathing.
The Joy of Bubble Wrap
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Popping bubble wrap can be a soothing distraction. Don't have any at home? That's ok. Try this virtual bubble wrap.
Sacred Drumming
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Many people have a tradition of sacred drumming in their culture. Drumming can be used to celebrate but it can also be use to soothe or to heal. Drum along and think about your heartbeat and the rhythm of your breath.
Pinwheel
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Blowing bubbles or blowing on a pinwheel can help us to slow down our breathing and our heart rate so that our bodies feel more calm. Download this FREE app for a virtual pinwheel. Then, blow on your cellphone and watch it spin!
Puppies
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Sometimes just watching a video of fluffy puppies is enough to give your mood a boost.
Tai Chi
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A very slow and peaceful movement exercise to practice awareness and focus breathing. Helpful to reduce stress and anxiety
Art Therapy
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Self-Compassion and mindfullness. Setting the mood for self-care. Watercolor and reflective writing.
Fireflies
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Real-life fairies! Relax to these nighttime sounds and twinkling lights.
Laughter is the best medicine!
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Sometimes we don't feel like laughing. But science shows us that even when we pretend to laugh, chemicals are released in our bodies that can reduce pain and stress.
Pine Forest
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Unplug and spend some time in nature... bird song, the crunching of pine needles underfoot, the fresh smells of trees and flowers, and a gentle breeze... aaah.
The Guardians
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Play a game to fight depression and improve wellbeing. Every day you can earn new pets and rewards by doing any activity that's meaningful to you.
Have a Warm Drink
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Sometimes it feels nice to hold a warm cup in our hands. Use a recipe from this video or snuggle up with your favorite warm beverage. Stay away from caffeine if possible. Try cocoa, cider, warm milk or herbal tea.
Rocking
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Rocking can improve mood, reduce pain, relieve stress, and help with sleep. A rocking chair is the best... but you can also try rocking yourself in a seated position or while lying on your side.
Try Hot or Cold
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Try both of these to see what works best for you. (You might be suprised.) Some people like to use a heat pack or warm bath/shower. Other people might like to splash cool water on their face or hold an ice pack or cold bag of peas to the back of the neck.
Try Hand Mudras
Yoga mudras are an ancient practice. Some people use yoga hand gestures as they meditate or focus their intentions. It can be a nice distraction to practice and hold these different hand shapes.
Try a Weighted Blanket
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Weighted blankets and lap pads can help with anxiety, sleep etc. But they tend to be expensive. Try making your own with a stuffed animal! Add rice, beans, poly pellets or other heavy material.
Virtual Cafe
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Is social distancing driving you crazy? Do you miss being around other people in a crowded cafe or restaraunt? Play this video for some background noise or close your eyes and escape into your imagination.
Change of Scenery
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When you need to calm down or if you are feeling stuck... try changing your scenery. Go to a different room, change the lighting, add music, open a window etc. If possible, you might even go for a drive or visit a friend/family member.
Feel Better with Shaving Cream
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Shaving cream is an inexpensive sensory item that can help you relax. Squish it, draw in it with your finger, or use it to make marbled paper! After your paper dries, add your favorite inspirational quote.
Be Kind to Yourself
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This meditation is good for kids and adults and can be done from a chair. May I be Happy-- May I be Healthy-- May I be Safe-- May My Life Be Filled With Joy.
Turn off Fight/Flight/Freeze
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Try Alternate Nostril Breathing to help stimulate parasympathetic nervous system activity. This can reduce anxiety and negative stress reactions in your body.
More!
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Visit our family page to find crisis & mental health resources, local services, cultural connections, circles of support, and more!
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If you are looking for more ways to calm and relax, try our Community Bulletin Board You will also find physical activities, fun games, and familiy activities!