Jars of Joy: Wellbeing activity
In need of a fun filled activity the whole family can get involved in? Why not try and make your very own Jar of Joy, an extremely simple, cheap and easy exercise that gets you creating something wonderfully sweet, filled with warmth and a perfect reminder of good times.
Entirely inspired by our delivery of Tyneside and Northumberland Mind’s Wellbeing Course with our members from St. Vincent De Paul, came an activity appropriately titled: Jars of Joy. Members shared lots of ideas and tips that they use for their own wellbeing and a concept that came from discussions were that of Jars of Joy, an empty jar filled with images of things that give you joy to look at when you need a little pick me up.
Entirely inspired by our delivery of Tyneside and Northumberland Mind’s Wellbeing Course with our members from St. Vincent De Paul, came an activity appropriately titled: Jars of Joy. Members shared lots of ideas and tips that they use for their own wellbeing and a concept that came from discussions were that of Jars of Joy, an empty jar filled with images of things that give you joy to look at when you need a little pick me up.
The process saw each person make a note of things in life that give them joy, that brought comfort and soothed their soul. Members shared joyful notions which were both interesting and funny. Several people found the sea soothing, comfort in warm drinks and joy in flowers. Some notions were more individual; the smell of Lynx Africa, a curry house in Oldham and the colour yellow!
Once we had a good collection of thoughts, we explored how we could represent them visually using a variety of media; drawings, images, pictures downloaded from the internet and text. Images were folded for a little surprise each time the jar was opened and participants were invited to decorate their jars using collage, posca pens and gemstones. We encouraged people to continue adding to their jars once they had taken them home because not only do our interests change but so do our memories, and it seemed only fitting that we add more as we create them!
All you’ll need is:
A jar-the bigger the jar the better but any will do (we used jam and peanut butter jars!)
A4 pieces of paper
Clippings from magazines/newspapers
Colouring pens
Scissors
The Jar of Joy activity makes a lovely treat for yourself or a thoughtful gift to someone. Why not have the kids create their very own for a loved one this Christmas? Or spend some time filling your own to have on hand when you are having a particularly difficult day.
The Jars of Joy activity was first shared in our monthly wellbeing e-newsletter where we share
sneak-peaks of what attendees get up to in groups, staff written articles on some powerful topics and a selection of fun and unique tips and hints to help you practice positive mental wellbeing in your daily life-including news and changes to Tyneside and Northumberland Mind services!
Sign up for all this and more here
