Coronavirus: Tips from our team: keeping positive and active during social distancing
As we adjust in the face of Coronavirus, we will all experience change to our lives and daily routines. This is especially relevant as recommendations of social distancing continue to be issued to slow the spread of the disease. Many of us may be worried about what social distancing and spending more time in our homes will look like; perhaps thinking about the effect on our physical and mental health.
We are all in the same boat considering these concerns. With our staff officially working from home, we have asked our team to draw together their advice and tips, based on personal experience and useful sources. Here are some ideas to help you stay active and keep you connected during these challenging times.
Keeping Active
Time for a walk.
Walking has lots of health benefits. Walking is one of the easiest ways to get active, if you have some space or you’re able to leave your house, of course. If you leave your home, it’s important to make sure we keep a safe distance from others that we may encounter during a walk as part of precautionary measures against the pandemic.
Time to get in the garden?
The good news is that we are moving into spring and gardeners (and potential new gardeners) can start to get busy. Gardening is sometimes considered as a simple hobby but think again! It is an amazing activity that can have positive physical and mental health benefits.
Campaigns. Resources. Links.
Greater Sport has useful tips for getting or staying active.
Join the ‘Make Movement Your Mission’ group. A live 10 minute session, three times a day – particularly good for older adults but also for those who want to keep mobile at home.
For those people with a long-term health condition or disability, Sport England’s We Are Undefeatable campaign has numerous tips and ways that you can move more within your home.
Looking after your mental health
Research has shown that meditation and mindfulness can reduce our worries and concerns and embed more positive states of mind. There are a number of useful resources that you can access to help with developing mindfulness and learning to meditate:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/mindfulness/
If you’re worried about your finances:
https://www.mentalhealthandmoneyadvice.org
Other practical support:
https://www.facebook.com/MakingMentalHealthPositive/
Tips from our team
Try a new recipe and share them via social media with your friends and family
Showcase your cooking skills and knowledge via social media with friends and family.
Do something creative
Spring is the perfect time to discover your creative side. Dust off the camera, work on your Karaoke performance, pick up a paint brush or maybe think about writing that first novel.
Why not also consider a virtual museum tour from home? Many places are providing opportunities to take a tour from your own home. You’ll find many of these through a quick search on Google.
Use this time as an opportunity to learn something new
There are lots of opportunities to learn new skills through online courses and this can provide a sense of challenge and achievement during the disruption.