Create a calm corner
Finding a quiet space can help you relax and unwind.
Have you ever felt like you wanted to escape the world for a while? Everybody needs to take time out occasionally. Making your own quiet space or calm corner will give you somewhere to go when you want to relax and rebuild your energy for the rest of the day. What is a calm corner? A calm corner is a special space at home where you can go to relax and let go of your worries for a while. It can be a favourite chair, a sunny window seat or a few comfy cushions in the corner of a room – anywhere that lets you spend time by yourself and take a small break. As well as being a physical place, a calm corner gives you space to reflect on your feelings and collect your thoughts. Why is taking time out good for me? Spending time in your calm corner can help you manage your emotions and recharge your batteries. If you’re feeling angry, worried or upset, then quiet time alone can calm your thoughts and let you think more clearly. Studies show that finding just a few minutes of peace and quiet in the day can help you feel less stressed and even sleep better at night. The Big Life Journal is a website for children and young people that gives ideas and advice for becoming more confident. Their experts say that calm corners are a great way to boost your creativity, help you solve
problems and think up fresh ideas.
Make your own space
The Big Life Journal recommends picking a space that has room for you to stretch out and create. It says, “This could be an actual corner, a desk area or a small section of a room.”
Make it comfy by adding pillows or cushions and a blanket. Next, choose a style or theme and decorate your space with drawings, pictures or photos of friends, family or pets. Try and make it as warm and inviting as you can without cluttering it up with things you don’t need. You could make your calm corner a screen-free zone and fill a basket with activities you can reach for instead, such as colouring books, puzzles or a favourite soft toy (see panel).