Teen Breathe - Issue 36 - September 2022

70 Pages·2022·29 MB·English

BE INSPIRED • BE STRONG • BE CURIOUS • BE UPLIFTED
TEEN Breathe
On the same page • Sweet sensation • Food for thought • Art of apology • Be more dog
The ultimate power nap • Let’s talk tics • Goodwill hunting • Tessellated treasures
CONTENTS
2 Goodwill hunting 32 Food for thought
The extraordinary power of Fascinating stories behind
little acts of kindness to make food-related superstitions
you feel good, as well as others around the world
8 Listen without dismissing 36 Don’t get so defensive!
Why acknowledging a friend’s It’s perfectly natural to build
difficult feelings can be more defences to guard against
supportive than trying to being hurt, but it’s important
cheer them up not to let them hold you back
12 Art of apology 40 The ultimate power nap
Top tips for saying sorry – and Want the benefits of a few
how to seek an apology when hours’ sleep in as little as
you feel you’re owed one 30 minutes? Try the relaxing
practice of yoga nidra
16 Be more dog
Release tension and feel 44 Stunning Sri Lanka
energised with this pooch- It’s a country currently in
inspired yoga pose turmoil, but it holds many
wonderful treasures
18 On the same page
Did you know you can boost the 47 A taste of island life
benefits of reading by burying Three delicious Sri Lankan
yourself in a book with a friend? recipes to try at home
22 Gathering storm gods 50 Sweet sensation
Bad weather on the horizon? Ever heard of ASMR? Learn more
Discover some of the ancient about this feel-good sensation
myths and legends surrounding
wet and wild conditions 54 Find your thing!
The joys of sharing a pastime
26 Let’s talk tics with people who have similar
Want to learn more about interests to you
Tourette’s syndrome? We
take a closer look at this often 56 Appreciating autumn
misunderstood condition Ideas for celebrating this season
of endings and beginnings
28 Healing hens
Fun company and good for 60 Tessellated treasures
the soul, these feathered Delve into the colourful world of
friends can make great pets mosaics – and create your own
Don’t miss the next issue of
Teen Breathe: on sale from 18 October
Find more inspiration at
teenbreathe.co.uk
ON THE COVER: Illustration by Kitty O’Rourke/
The Bright Agency
Welcome to

TEEN Breathe
Life is full of things that are beyond human control. For
some people that’s exciting, for others it’s nerve-racking.
Whatever your outlook, it can be reassuring to consider
that one thing that doesn’t have to be left to chance is
the way you relate and respond to those around you.
Having positive experiences with family and friends
– including pets and even people you share only fleeting
moments with – can make a real difference to how you
feel about the world. And it’s in your power to make
your interactions as joyful as you like.
There are all sorts of ways you can enhance your
exchanges with others, from carrying out small acts of
kindness to bonding over a shared hobby or passion.
If you don’t always find it easy to make meaningful
connections, there are certain skills you can learn
that might help. These include how to listen attentively,
say sorry when necessary and let down your defences
and open up when it feels safe to do so.
Important as friendships are, however, the most
significant relationship you’ll ever have is with yourself.
Sometimes, in the rush of everyday life, it can be hard
to make time to attend to your inner world, whether that’s
by practising yoga, watching relaxing videos, sketching
or spending time in nature. But setting aside moments to
unwind in a style that suits you is a great way to be your
own best friend and show yourself some kindness.
GOODWILL HUNTING
From giving someone flowers to telling a friend how much they matter
to you, being kind can make everyone’s day that extra bit brighter
Does it boost your mood when a stranger holds the door They also help you build relationships and connect with
open for you? Maybe you get a warm feeling inside when other people.
a friend shares their homemade cookies. Or perhaps you
experience a sense of happiness when you do something One good turn
kind for someone else, such as giving up your seat on the Whether it’s simply seeing a smiling face or receiving an
bus for an older person or paying a pal a compliment. offer of help with homework, individuals thrive in all kinds
of ways when they’re on the receiving end of a good deed.
Positive feedback ‘Kind acts leave people feeling considered, appreciated
Spreading kindness helps everyone. ‘There’s evidence and worthwhile,’ says Marianne. ‘Kindness can be a really
that doing nice things for people can make us feel even refreshing change and help people restore their faith in
better than doing the same for ourselves,’ says Marianne humans more widely, too.’
Trent, a clinical psychologist from Coventry in the UK. Although showing kindness isn’t about receiving
‘The advantages of these kind acts are many, and they a reward in return, sometimes people will want to
can leave us feeling happy, excited and valued.’ acknowledge what you’ve done for them. ‘People like
Research suggests that showing goodwill to others can to say thank you, so don’t be tempted to minimise your
enhance mental health and wellbeing by reducing stress kindness. Be gracious and accept the gratitude,’ says
and improving mood, self-esteem and happiness. The Marianne. Responding with ‘You’re welcome’ or ‘I was glad
scientific evidence supporting the benefits of being kind to help’ is all part of spreading goodwill.
is so convincing that the British National Health Service There can also be a wider ripple effect. If someone is
(NHS) recommends caring behaviour, too. kind to another person, it might encourage and motivate
‘Give to others’ is one of the suggestions the NHS lists the other person to behave selflessly as well, then that
in ‘5 Steps to Mental Wellbeing’ on its website. The guide person might do the same, and so on…
explains that acts of kindness create positive feelings
that reward you with a sense of purpose and self-worth. Turn over for ideas of how to sustain a virtuous circle
2
3
Dig deep
You probably already show some kindness to others in your day-to-day life, but exploring what
that means through journalling can help to nurture that generosity

1 Write about what events or interactions make you feel good. ‘My top tip is to think about what helps you feel
supported or encouraged in any given situation,’ says Marianne. ‘When we’re tuned in to how we’d like to be treated,
it can help shape what sort of kind acts we extend to others.’

2 Jot down how you felt during and after these demonstrations of friendliness

3 Write a list of ways to do something similar for someone else

4
4 Make a note of times you’ve shown kindness to others in the past
5 Write down ways you could weave more acts like these into your day. There are likely to be some small things
you can do, as well as bigger actions (see overleaf for some ideas)
5
6
Pay it forward
If you’re keen to get started but need a little kind-spiration, these easy gestures
are guaranteed to leave others feeling pleased

G ift a good read. Leave a book you’ve enjoyed in a public place, such as on a coffee-
shop table or bus seat, for someone else to find. You could also add a note, explaining
it’s for anyone who likes the look of it. Entice them by adding a few lines describing why
you loved reading it.
C ompliment a friend. Mention how much you enjoyed hearing them play an instrument
or explain how impressed you were by their delicate handling of a tricky situation.
V olunteer for a good cause. Choose an issue you care about in your community. Could
you pitch in to plant trees at a local nature reserve or take part in a local litter-pick?
Acknowledge people who go the extra mile. This could mean thanking a teacher for
their help when you were struggling with a homework task or remembering to go back
and chat to a librarian who suggested a great book for you.
Make a cuppa. If you’re brewing yourself a hot drink, offer to make one for others,
too. Most people appreciate someone putting the kettle on.
Look for chances to be friendly. Smile at someone who serves you in a shop or ask
them how their day’s going. Little interactions like this can brighten someone’s mood.
You might also find yourself having interesting conversations in the process.
Fundraise for a charity. Pick a cause that matters to you or a loved one. Be it taking
part in a bake sale or a sponsored run, there are lots of fun and creative things you
can do to raise money. Encourage friends or family to get involved, too, so it becomes
a worthwhile way of spending time together.
E
OL
M
H
P
E
T
S: S
N
O
ATI
R
T
S
U
K. ILL
C
WI
R
E
T
T
U
B
E
N
OLI
R
A
C
S:
D
R
O
W
7
LISTEN WITHOUT DISMISSING
Accepting friends’ difficult feelings – instead of just trying to help them see
the bright side – stops a problem shared becoming a problem squared
Have you ever shared how you felt with someone, only It wasn’t deliberate, but it’s an example of dismissing
to come away feeling even worse? Perhaps the other someone’s feelings as unimportant or disproportionate.
person tried to cheer you up or make you feel better, Ultimately it’s unlikely to help the other person feel
but it had the opposite effect. How can you make sure accepted and supported, which is what friends need
others won’t feel this way when they confide in you? in such circumstances.
Talking things through, especially those feelings that
are harder to understand, can help everyone handle What makes you say that?
a wide range of human emotions. Yet sometimes it’s When a friend opens up about what they’re going
possible to dismiss another person’s feelings without through, it can be tough to know what to say or do.
even meaning to do so. It’s natural to want to make them feel better, so you
often hear or use phrases such as ‘It could be worse’
Seen but not heard or ‘You’re just overreacting, it’ll blow over’.
Imagine a friend is disappointed that an eagerly awaited Most of the time, these replies are well-meant.
holiday has been cancelled because their family can Imagine another friend is furious at a comment a
no longer afford it. You want to make them feel better, classmate made about disabled people. You don’t like
so you say: ‘It’s not that bad. Just think of all the people seeing him in such distress, so automatically say: ‘Hey,
who don’t even get holidays.’ it’s not your problem.’ Despite your best intentions, the
How does your friend feel now? Well, probably still response might undermine the strength of his feelings.
disappointed, and perhaps a bit confused too – or even It’s not always easy to understand other people’s point
guilty. Were they wrong to feel deprived of a holiday? of view, or why they feel the way they do. Let’s say a
8