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Learning and Relaxation

It is hard to study if you are thinking about lots of things or feeling worried.

Our brains find it easier to take in and remember things if we feel relaxed and calm. 

On this page you will find some ideas for things that might help you relax. First of all, think for a moment. Ask yourself...

Going to the park?

Exercise?

What helps me relax?

Listening to music?

Talking to family, friends or your support worker?

Going for a walk?

Below are some activities and ideas that might help you relax. If you want to, you could try doing them before your English session. Or any time you feel like you need to relax.

 

You can look through all the activities, or click on the buttons below to see the ones you are most interested in.

Breathing

Breathing exercises

Only do these exercises if it feels safe and comfortable for you. If you have any health problems that might be affected by doing these exercises, speak to your doctor before you try them.

Deep breathing exercise

1. Sit, stand or lie down somewhere comfortable

A silhouette of someone sitting in a chair, viewed from the side.

2. Take a deep breath in gently through your nose

A woman with long hair. A blue arrow symbolises she is taking a breath in through her nose.

3. Breath out slowly and gently through your mouth

A woman with long hair. A blue arrow symbolises she is breathing out through her mouth.

Videos

Below are links to different videos on Youtube that show you how to do simple breathing exercises. Click on the underlined links to see the videos.

A Simple Breathing Exercise (1 min) - YouTube

RELAX AND BREATHE: Do Nothing for 10 Minutes - YouTube

Breath in as the shape gets bigger. Breath out as it gets smaller.

2 min Breathe Bubble | Breathe Exercises - Sea - Think Nothing Exercise I Breathe In Calm App - YouTube

5 Minute Breathing Exercise - YouTube

Grounding

Grounding activity

Grounding activities help you to focus on what is around you now, rather than thinking about the past or the future. Some people find this helps them to feel calmer and more relaxed. 

This video shows you how to do an exercise where you notice:

  • 5 things you can see

  • 4 things you can touch

  • 3 things you can hear

  • 2 things you can smell

  • 1 emotion that you feel

Click on the underlined link to see the video.

The 5-4-3-2-1 Method: A Grounding Exercise to Manage Anxiety - YouTube

Music

Relaxing music selections

art

Art activities

These videos show you how to do some simple art activities that can help you feel more relaxed. All you need for each one is:

  • some paper

  • a pen/pencil

Click on the underlined links to see the videos

How to teach Mindfulness continuous line drawing - Paul Klee Inspired Drawing Activity | Zart Art - YouTube

ART THERAPY activity for anxiety, grounding, & mindfulness: Therapeutic art projects at home - YouTube

Nature

A lot of people find spending time with nature helps them relax. You can go for a walk or sit in the park to do this. You can also click on the links below to spend some time with nature, even if you are inside

Click on the underlined links to see the videos

Nature videos

BBC Two - Springwatch - Clips

BBC Two - Autumnwatch - Clips

Sounds of nature

Relaxing Meadow with Ambient Nature Sounds, Wildflowers, and Mountain View - 8 Hours (youtube.com)

Nature
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