AS part of Children’s Mental Health Week (1st – 7th February), Holistic Kidz, is offering a series of free, fun online wellness classes and a ‘Bundle of Zen’ handbook to help support and improve the well-being of children during these worrying times.

The Holistic Kidz Wellness Classes will take place Monday 1st, Tuesday 2nd, Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th February at 10.30am and Thursday 4th at 4.30pm. Each class will last 25 minutes and will help teach basic skills and coping strategies in a fun way. There will be a 5-minute meditation at the end of each session ensuring each child feels relaxed and rejuvenated.

The two weekend classes will also include a guided meditation which is very beneficial in relieving stress and anxiety, introducing children to the concept of calming down through breathing, improving self-esteem and really helping kids feel happier in themselves. 

Holistic Kidz NI was founded by Colette McCartney in 2019 and is the first early years wellness company of its kind and prides itself on sprinkling its relaxation magic on the children and young people of Northern Ireland.

Colette McCartney said: “The last year has been a stressful time for children of all ages. School children had their routine taken away from them overnight and no doubt picked up on the worry that the adults around them were feeling. Not being able to see their family and friends, home-schooling and spending so much time at home can be a very hard thing for all children – especially when they don’t really understand the severity of what was happening around them. And unfortunately, this may have led to some children exhibiting behavioural and emotional changes.

Since the beginning of the pandemic we have seen a higher demand for our services and we are pleased to have been able to work with parents to sprinkle our relaxation magic into many homes across Northern Ireland. We have created a ‘Bundles of Zen’ handbook which can be downloaded free from our website and this is full of Positive Affirmations, Meditations and exercise ideas. And as part of Children’s Mental Health Week, we are delighted to be holding a series of free Holistic Kidz Wellness Classes which will really help children and young people develop the basic skills and coping mechanisms they need, not just to help them through the stresses and anxiety of lockdown, but in the years to come as well.”

“There’s also so many simple things that families can do together to ensure this time at home is fun and not as stressful as most of us might currently be feeling. For example, get outside as much as you can, go for a walk, a nature hunt or spend time in the garden. Meditation is wonderful and it’s amazing how connecting with our breath can instantly help us relax. And most importantly, talk to your child. Encourage them to tell you about their day and any worries they might have,” Colette added.

For further information on the free wellness classes or to download the free ‘Book of Zen’, go to www.holistickidz.com or check out @holistic_kidzni on Instagram.