Coronavirus – Physical and Emotional Wellbeing

Physical and Emotional Wellbeing

Connect with other people

It is really important to stay connected with people we care about even when we can’t see them in person. Good relationships are important for our mental wellbeing. They can:

  • Help us to build a sense of belonging and self-worth
  • Give us an opportunity to share positive experiences
  • Provide emotional support and allow us to support others

Technology

Stay in touch with friends and family. Video-chat by using apps such as Skype, FaceTime, Duo and Zoom.

Search and download online community apps such as those listed on the NHS apps library or on the BBC webpages below:

Befriending

Age UK

Age UK recognises that social isolation and the associated wellbeing issues are a real and serious issue for older people. They have set up a new freephone telephone number for people who are alone and who want to have a friendly conversation with a staff member or volunteer.  Call them on 0800 2980579.

For further information and support, please visit www.ageuk.org.uk/coronavirus-and-older-people.

Stay Connected Free Helpline Service:

For anyone worried about themselves or someone else going into self-isolation.

To access the Stay Connected Helpline, call 0800 048 7035,Monday to Friday, 9.00-5.00, or email hereinfo@guideposts.org.uk.

All resources are available at www.guideposts.org.uk/stay-connected.

Get Creative

Sometimes it’s the creative responses which can help to connect us with our community – for example, there has been a national response to Clap For Carers at a set time to thank frontline staff.

Or it’s the things we see which can help to connect us – for example, children locally have been drawing and painting rainbows to put up in windows – these can certainly help to brighten up our day whilst staying indoors!

Be Physically Active

Being active is not only great for our physical health and fitness. Evidence also shows it can also improve our mental wellbeing by:

  • Raising our self-esteem
  • Helping us to set goals or challenges and achieve them
  • Causing chemical changes in our brain’s which can help to positively change our mood

*Please consult your GP or practice nurse by phone prior to starting an exercise programme if you have any health concerns

Here are a few links to different types on-line exercise available as an option whilst we stay at home:

NHS – Studio Exercise Classes at Varying Levels www.nhs.uk/conditions/aerobic-exercise

NHS – Stretch and Flex Exercise Videos www.nhs.uk/strength-and-flex-exercise-plan-how-videos

NHS – 10 Minute Workouts www.nhs.uk/10-minute-workouts

NHS – Flexibility/Balance/Strength www.nhs.uk/sitting-exercises

Later Life Training – YouTube www.youtube.com/later+life+training

Move it or Lose It – Find their Covid-19 support pack on their website, and use the free youtube videos:

Joe Wicks – PE Lessons on YouTube (and every weekday morning at 9am) www.youtube.com/thebodycoach1

Learn New Skills

Research shows that learning new skills can also improve our mental wellbeing by:

  • Boosting self-confidence and raising self-esteem
  • Helping us to feel a sense of purpose
  • Helping us to connect with others

There are still lots of different ways to bring learning into our lives, even if we feel we do not have enough time or are unable to due to present circumstances. Now is a good time to catch up on reading books, revive an old hobby or start a new one at home. If you have access to the internet there are lots of creative and useful resources on sites like YouTube to show you how to get started like learning the piano or knitting.

Other online resources –

Museum Tours from Home:

www.travelandleisure.com/museums-with-virtual-tours

www.history.com/10-best-virtual-museums-tours-history-from-home

Pub Quizzes from Home

www.goosesquizzes.com

Give To Others

Research suggests that acts of giving and kindness can help improve our mental wellbeing by:

  • Creating positive feelings and a sense of reward
  • Providing us with a feeling of purpose and self-worth
  • Helping us connect with other people, it could be small acts of kindness towards other people, or larger ones like volunteering in the local community

Some examples of the things you could try include:

  • Saying thank you to someone for something they have done for you
  • Asking friends, family or colleagues how they are and really listening to their answer
  • Volunteering in your community (if safe for you to do so) through one of the schemes helping during Covid-19 eg the NHS Good Sam scheme

Good Sam App for Volunteer Recruitment

www.goodsamapp.org/home

Good Sam App Guidance Notes

www.goodsamapp.org/Getting_started_as_a_Community_Response_Volunteer.pdf

Pay Attention to the Present Moment – Mindfulness

Paying more attention to the present moment can improve our mental wellbeing. This includes paying attention to our thoughts and feelings, how our body feels and having an appreciation for the world around us.

Some people call this practice of awareness; “mindfulness”. Mindfulness can help us enjoy life more and understand ourselves better – even during challenging times. It can positively change the way we feel about life and how we approach problems.

Mindful Breathing Exercise – YouTube

www.m.youtube.com/watch?v=wfDTp2GogaQ

Calm – Free Resources for Emotional Wellbeing

www.calm.com/take-a-deep-breath

NHS – Mood Assessment Quiz

www.nhs.uk/mood-self-assessment

The Five Ways To Wellbeing originates from the New Economics Foundation and is widely promoted within the NHS. Activity suggestions within this model have been adapted by North South Gloucester Primary Network Social Prescribing Link Workers to help us to manage our wellbeing during the current COVID-19 situation.