Support Your Physical & Mental Health through the new COVID Restrictions

With news from the government last week that a new three tier system of COVID restrictions comes into force in England it’s understandable that people are experiencing feelings of worry and despair.

Concerns about the virus, our loved ones, jobs, finances and what the future holds are overwhelming and may take a toll on our health. While we don’t have all the answers, we offer some tips and guidance to help you care for your physical and mental health while trying to navigate through this extremely difficult time.

Tips

• Eat a balanced diet of whole foods, including protein, healthy fat and complex carbohydrates. Pile your plate high with vegetables and keep yourself well hydrated.
• Get active!! Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise each day if you are able to. Physical activity releases our happy hormones and gets our heart pumping. It is also a great stress buster.
• Stick to a daily routine. With many of us working from home and/or facing changes in our daily lives it is easy to let good habits slip. Try to add structure to your day. Get up and go to bed at the same time, eat at regular meal- times and add in times for focused productivity, to help you feel more in control.
• Talk about how you are feeling with a trusted family member or friend. This is so important to help us keep a check on our emotions. It is perfectly normal to have feelings of despair, worry and helplessness due to the current situation. Reach out to your loved ones by phone, email or video call on a regular basis.
• If watching the news and reading social media updates about Covid-19 are causing you stress and worry, try to limit your exposure. Perhaps just watch one news bulletin each day, to keep yourself informed but not overwhelmed.
• Find some enjoyment in each and, every day. Revisit your favourite hobby or try something new. There are lots of ideas online depending on your interests. It can be a great distraction from the news and a way to boost your mood.

And of course, continue to follow the government guidelines on social distancing and familiarise yourself with which lockdown tier you are in.

Stay positive and safe!