13
• Become aware of the thoughts running through your mind, especially negative thoughts about sleep. Counteract negative thoughts with more balanced reassuring thoughts. The thought, “If I don’t sleep tonight, I will be a basket case tomorrow” can be refuted by, “I always manage to get through the day even if I don’t sleep well, so it will be OK”. • Don’t cancel your plans due to insomnia. It is important to continue living life as best as you can, despite feeling tired.
• Learn to be compassionate with yourself, acknowledging that it is extremely difficult to grapple with insomnia. Offer yourself kindness and reassurance versus criticism. Remember that insomnia is a very common sleep problem, and in time it will pass. • Deal with stress in a timely manner, with daily reflection and problem solving. Develop a wind-down routine before going to bed for the night, and learn relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, body scan, or
progressive relaxation. Put the day to rest by thinking about three things that went well and three that did not go so well. Plan activities for the next day. • Finally, develop a formal daily meditation practice and coach yourself when negative sleep thoughts arise. Keep in mind that, when sleep evades you, there are thousands of people in the same boat. Accept that you have a sleep problem, but by following a few simple steps you can quickly and easily get your sleep back on track.
Kids coping through art - Awesome Arts 2021 - by Gerald Dragon
This year, as COVID-19 pandemic continued to put any sort of program planning in to peril, Awesome Arts moved forward in virtual mode with the same quality workshops being offered to students in grades 3-6 at Viscount Alexander Public School. One of the classes that participated was Madame Deena’s grade 3/4 class, which worked with Claudia Salguero and artist intern Edgar Hernandez from March to June to produce a new mural called The Future Awaits to be installed inside the school. Mural and individual canvases on display at the Ottawa Art Gallery
Similar to another community mural project in 2020, students received kits filled with materials so that each of them could create their own canvas. Claudia photographed the individual canvases, and then brought them together digitally to create a larger collective piece. Additionally, a unique opportunity was presented when the Ottawa Art Gallery approached SHCHC with an offer to partner for Awesome Arts. After initial discussions, it was decided that the Art Gallery would hold a vernissage for the mural being created, as well
as to put it on display over the summer months alongside the individual canvases created by each student. The mural arrived in Strathcona Heights at the beginning of October, and was recently mounted in a prominent location in the neighborhood, adding to other mural beautification projects which have been completed over the years. A copy is also located inside of Viscount Alexander Public School. A big “Thank you” to: Madame Deena’s grade 3/4 class, Claudia, Edgar, Michael at the Ottawa Art Gallery, Jessica at MASC, and Paul.
Mural is now displayed in Strathcona Heights
