If you had asked Musica Arioso six months ago if they would be a predominantly online business by Easter 2020, they would have laughed.

And then the unimaginable happened, a global pandemic, social distancing and the closure of non-essential services.

“We simply had to dive in boots and all. We are in uncharted territory with our children feeling the stress of our stress and the uncertainty of what lies ahead,” said Gail Smith.

Music is well known for its benefits of relieving stress and anxiety. While sporting clubs and events have been cancelled, and social gatherings are on hold, music has not been cancelled.

Musica Arioso are now bravely striding into the vast online world, and that is where you come in! With so much time at home, regular music lessons can help bring some structure to your day. You could discover a talent.

They are offering 30 minute online classes for a range of instruments including piano/keyboard, ukulele, voice, recorder and guitar.

Contact Gail Smith on 0414 478 585 or email musicaarioso@gmail.com for information on how to book your time. After all, everyone deserves a little music in their life.

Forbes teen Kalasin Cain keeps busy on a tight schedule at home. Her mother Donna says that structure is a must.

With teenagers at home for an indefinite time, and especially over the Easter break, those with pre-existing mental health issues are at a greater risk of falling into depression. Kiama based Clinical Psychologist Caroline Jones has some strategies that parents can use, as well as warning signs to look out for when it comes to mental health.

Healthy eating, good personal hygiene, daily exercise, adequate sleep and limiting screen time to around two to three hours a day are essential practices in maintain- ing good physical and mental health. This can be achieved by implementing routine. “They think they don’t need routine, but they really do,” says Caroline, who cannot stress the importance of routine and family time enough. “It is important to acknowledge that it’s completely normal to feel anxious about spending time together as a family over the Easter break.”

Making sure families eat at least one meal together ensures parents can touch base with their teens and get an insight into how they are coping with the changes and restrictions that have been put into place. Some signs to watch out for are lethargy, withdrawal, low motivation, racing thoughts and disengagement, teens should also not be in their rooms too much. By encouraging projects, involvement in chores and maintaining a structured day, parents can keep a close eye on boredom levels and possible destructive use of social media.

Caroline recommends the Smiling Minds app, Kids Helpline and Headspace as excellent resources for young people to utilise in order to improve on, acknowledge and talk about their mental health in a safe and supportive environment. “The problem with pre-existing mental health stuff like depression, is that it finds gaps to feed off, which is why structure, communication and self-care are so important in promoting good mental health, now more than ever.”