Health experts are encouraging people across Gloucestershire to look after their mental health and wellbeing during the current Covid-19 ‘lockdown’.
The physical health impacts of Covid-19 are well recognised, but anxiety about health, job security and finances, social isolation and changes in routines and family relationships can have an impact.
Tips on maintaining health and wellbeing during the Covid-19 pandemic include:
- Follow the ‘Five Ways to Wellbeing’:
- Connect with friends and family over the phone,
- Be active, get outside once a day to exercise if you can or if you’re isolating try yoga or gardening,
- Take notice of what’s around you and what’s happening in the moment,
- Keep learning and keep your mind active, and
- Give a small act of kindness to a friend or volunteer for the Community Help Hub.
- Maintain a healthy diet
- Take some regular exercise – outdoors in the fresh air if you can (bearing in mind social distancing)
- Try and maintain a routine, with a regular sleep pattern
- Stay informed, but remember to take a break from the news or social media
- Tell someone how you are feeling, if you’re struggling
- Look out for one another, whether that be your friends, relatives, neighbours, or colleagues
There are agencies and websites available to help:
- Let’s Talk – 0800 073 2200 or www.letstalkglos.nhs.uk
- https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/
- For more information on the Five Ways to Wellbeing or to find further support visithttps://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/look-after-your-wellbeing
- https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing/
- The Samaritans on 116 123 or https://www.samaritans.org/
- Teens in Crisis – https://ticplus.org.uk/
- Gloucestershire’s Rethink Self Harm Helpline on 0808 801 0606 or glosselfharm@rethink.org
- Swindon and Gloucestershire Mind on https://www.sgmind.org.uk/
Additional resources are also available at https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/covid-19-information-and-advice/advice-on-covid-19/looking-after-your-wellbeing/
Anyone struggling with their mental health or finding it difficult to cope with everyday life can also contact their GP surgery.
With thanks to Gloucester City Council and Gloucestershire Community Help Hub for forwarding this information.