Covid-19 wellbeing support and guidance

The UK Government has advised that the single most important action we can all take in fighting coronavirus is to stay at home to protect the NHS and save lives.

Staying at home for a prolonged period may be difficult, frustrating and/or lonely for some people. Looking after your physical and mental wellbeing can help make things a little easier.

General advice

Stay in touch with family and friends

Set a routine

If you are spending more time at home it is important to continue with a regular routine:

Maintain a regular time for waking up and going to bed
Eat at regular times
Get dressed and ready for the day ahead each morning
Use a timetable to give structure to your day
Balance activities that give you a sense of achievement, those that help you feel close and connected with others and those you can do just for pleasure.

Keep busy with activities throughout the day

Try and do some form of physical activity

Practice gratitude

At times of uncertainty, developing a gratitude practice can help you connect with moments of joy, aliveness, and pleasure:

At the end of each day, take time to reflect on what you are thankful for today. Try and be specific and notice new things each day, for example, ‘I am grateful that it was sunny at lunchtime so I could sit in the garden’.
Start a gratitude journal, or keep notes in a gratitude jar. Encourage other people in your home to get involved too.

Notice and limit worry triggers

As the health situation develops it can feel like we need to constantly follow the news or check social media for updates. However, you might notice this also triggers your worry and anxiety.

Try to notice what triggers your worry. For example, is it watching the news for more than 30 minutes? Checking social media every hour?
Try to limit the time that you are exposed to worry triggers each day. You might choose to listen to the news at a set time each day, or you could limit the amount of time you spend on social media for news checking.

Rely on reputable news sources

Get support if you need it

Remind yourself why remaining at home is so important

Help reduce the pressure on the NHS

If you do have questions that you would normally phone the NHS about, one or more of the following services may be able to help you so you can reduce the pressure on the NHS:

Ask NHS provides you with improved access to NHS services. You can talk through your symptoms in complete confidence with Olivia, a virtual health assistant. If needed, Olivia will arrange for a call back from a 111 nurse to discuss symptoms further. The app also allows you to search NHS approved healthcare advice.

Pharmacy2U allows you to order and manage your NHS repeat prescriptions whenever and wherever they are needed. Pharmacy2U takes care of everything, from requesting prescriptions from your GP, to the delivery of the medication directly to you, for free.

Health Help Now lists common symptoms and offers suggestions for treatment, so you can find the right health service to use. The app also includes details of several useful websites and helplines for a variety of health problems.

Advice for parents and carers in supporting children

Take time to talk with your child about the coronavirus outbreak and use reputable sources of information such as the Government and NHS
Reassure them that they are safe and share with them how you manage your anxiety when you are worried, so they can learn how to cope from you
Limit your family’s exposure to news coverage of the event, including social media if you feel that the updates are getting too much
Try to keep to your regular routines, as much as possible. If schools are closed, then draw up a schedule for learning activities and for fun activities.

Additional support services available

Here are a few additional links to external support services that you may find useful:

Dorset Healthcare – Mental Health

Helpful advice from Dorset Healthcare on staying well and managing your Mental Health. Includes signposting to specialist resources and suggestions around self-care.

Meherzin Das, Trustwide Professional Lead for Psychology and Psychological Therapies, on how to maintain your health and wellbeing during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Connections

24/7 mental health support for anyone over 18+ living in the Dorset area. Call 0300 123 5440