FEATURE
the health benefits of yoga and connected activities
have for children and I wanted to share this with our
young. Science also is now confirming the health
benefits of activities such as yoga, meditation,
mindfulness.
Why do you think issues such as self-harm,
depression, suicide and mental health disorders are
on the rise in our younger generation?
Yes, I think it is very disturbing as a parent to see
these statistics on the increase and I think the health
service need to do more active and detailed survey of
patients and their history to see if we can establish a
pattern history.
I have a few of my personal thoughts on why this
may be. There is greater exposure to media and the
focus on what is the perfect body, the perfect lifestyle,
the must have gadgets, which are having an impact on
individual psyche. Kids are disconnecting from their
core, and not truly valuing the amazing individuals
they are. Their focus is constantly on the external, not
the internal. Social media and gaming for long lengths
of time also have an impact on a child’s reality and how
they process their world. The breakdown of the
traditional family unit, means that there are many
more single parents now, who are finding it more
challenging. I am a single parent; therefore, I have first-
hand experience of the change in the home status quo
from my childhood with two parents and although I
endeavour to give the best to my kids, I know my time
gets absorbed with doing things for them. I would love
to have more free time with them.
Do you think there are enough services and tools out
there for children and teens to access to help
with these issues?
I know at present most secondary schools have a
school councillor and schools are doing more to
support well-being with PSHE etc, but I do think there
is scope for many more initiatives, which provide
children and teens with tools to self-manage their
emotions, disperse frustrations, anger, low self-esteem
etc.
What impact do you want 'Magnificent Me,
Magnificent You' to have on the younger generation?
I would love 'Magnificent Me, Magnificent You' to
provide the tools and resources in supporting a young
person to truly acknowledge their magnificence,
absolutely love their self, their uniqueness, diversity
and gifts. To connect with their core strength and
know the power within to create a happy future that is
able to overcome challenges life may throw. To share
the power of their minds and thoughts on their world
and share that they are in control and can choose and
master their emotions with practice and
understanding.
What simple tools can everyone use on an everyday
basis to keep a positive mind?
Everything begins with the self, the most important
thing is self-love, as once we master this we will make
choices that are good for us and others. Love is
unconditional; therefore, the key is to love yourself
unconditionally, each unique part of you. As we know
young people are exposed to negative conditioning
and this has had an adverse effect on the psyche.
Therefore, it is not a quick overnight fix, but a process