Blue Zone

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Ella woke up one morning feeling a little different, like her brain was moving too slowly to keep up.  As she stretched under her cozy blanket, she noticed her body felt heavy, like she was moving through a big, sleepy cloud. Her breath felt slow and shallow, like her body wasn’t in a hurry to do anything and her heart seemed to be barely thumping—more like a soft drumbeat in the distance.

She yawned and rubbed her eyes. “Hmm,” she thought. “Why don’t I feel like getting up today?”

At breakfast, Ella sat quietly at the table. Her mom noticed and asked gently, “Ella, are you feeling okay today?”

“I don’t know,” Ella said with a small shrug. “My body feels really slow, and my eyes feel droopy . My tummy feels kind of empty, like I don’t have much energy.”

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Mom nodded kindly. “It sounds like you might be in the Blue Zone. When we’re in the Blue Zone, it might mean we’re feeling tired, sad, bored, or even sick.  Have you noticed any other clues from your body?”

Ella thought for a moment. “Hmm... my arms feel heavy, like there’s a thick blanket over them. My head feels foggy, and my heart doesn’t feel very excited about anything.”

“You’re noticing your body signals really well, Ella,” Mom said with a smile. These feelings are okay—they’re like little messages from your body, helping you know what it needs. This morning, maybe your body needs rest, comfort, or a little boost to get going.”

 “What if I stay in the Blue Zone all day?”

“Then we listen to your body and help it move to a zone that feels better,” her mom said. “But for now, it’s okay to feel slow and take your time.”

Ella tilted her head. “So, what can I do if I’m in the Blue Zone?”

“Well,” Mom explained, “you can listen to your body and try something that might help…” 

“…If you’re tired, maybe take a short rest. If you’re bored, find something fun to do. If you’re feeling sad, talking to someone can help. And if your tummy feels empty, maybe a snack would give you some energy.”

Ella smiled. “I think my body is saying it needs a snack and maybe some fresh air!”

“That sounds like a great plan,” Mom said. “Remember, listening to your body signals is like having a special superpower to take care of yourself!”

Ella had a crunchy apple and then went outside to ride her bike. Soon, her body felt lighter, and her heart felt happy. She ran back inside to tell her mom, “Thanks for helping me figure it out! I’ll remember to listen to my body signals next time.”

Mom gave her a big hug. “I’m proud of you, Ella. You’re doing a great job learning about your feelings and what your body needs.”

And from then on, Ella paid close attention to her body signals, knowing they were there to guide her.