Looking after your mental health during the Coronavirus pandemic

Looking after your mental wellbeing is just as important as looking after your physical wellbeing.

As we live through a global pandemic, being aware of and taking care of our mental health is more important than ever.

We as a nation are staying at home to protect the NHS and save lives – and it is only natural we will all be experiencing highs and lows, as we deal with our own daily worries and upsets, whether that be about work, loved ones, money, health or loneliness.

There are things we can all do to look after our mental wellbeing at this time and ‘Every Mind Matters’ can help get you started with creating a simple FREE plan at: www.everymindmatters.co.uk.

Their website provides simple tips and advice for you to look after your mental wellbeing during this time.

visit: https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/coronavirus-covid-19-anxiety-tips/

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We have pulled together a few of our own tips from our team here at Now Healthcare Group – about looking after your mental wellbeing:

Routine

Establish and maintain a routine, as it helps to create a good sense of wellbeing.

Try and get up and go to bed at similar times, get yourself washed and dressed daily and eat meals at regular times. A sense of routine helps to create a good feeling of wellbeing.

Get moving

It is important to keep your body fit and healthy and exercise is good for the brain as well as body.

Exercise releases endorphins, which are feel good chemicals and help to lift and boost your mood. A short walk (observing socially distancing), an online workout, even a little stretch of your body parts – play a vital role in helping your overall wellbeing.

Eat well

Making sure you are putting the right food into your body, helps to feed your brain and boost your mood.

Try and incorporate at least 5 pieces of fruit and/or veg into your daily diet, lots of protein and drink the recommended amount of water per day. Also try to limit caffeine, alcohol and sugar – which can make your feel lethargic, anxious and sluggish.

Stay connected

Schedule regular calls and/or video chats with friends and family to help stay connected and not feel isolated.

Stay in the moment

It can sometimes be hard to stay in the present moment and stop worrying about the current situation. However, focusing on the hear and now and not thinking about the’ what, ifs and buts’, can help to reduce anxiety. Relaxation and meditation techniques may help and can be found on www.everymindmatters.co.uk and may help to calm your mind.

Rest

Good-quality sleep makes a big difference to how we feel mentally and physically, so it is important to get enough hours of sleep per evening.
Try to maintain regular sleeping patterns and keep up good sleep hygiene practices – like avoiding screens before bed, cutting back on caffeine and creating a restful environment.

Share your worries

It always helps to talk if you are having worries or suffering with low moods. Reach out to friends and family, but if you can’t, there are plenty of organisations you can reach out to for support. These can be found at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/mental-health-helplines/

Hobby/Activity

Start a new hobby or take something up you used to love to do. This can help ease the mind and take you away from your thoughts and the present situation. Painting, reading or an online course, could be a good way to relax and lift your mood.

Limit technology and news consumption

Technology is invaluable way for us to stay connected and understand what is happening in the outside world. However, too much time watching the daily news events and constantly interacting with others can cause us to feel anxious and have a negative impact on our mental health.

To find out more, visit: https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/coronavirus-covid-19-anxiety-tips/