Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19

One of the issues that is often overlooked when it comes to lockdown is the harm that COVID-19 has caused people, not only physically but to their mental health. Many people around the UK are struggling to cope with the stress and are starting to feel overwhelmed by the struggles that COVID and lockdown bring.

Mental Health Issues That Lockdown may cause

• Stress

• Loneliness

• Anxiety

• Frustration

• Overwhelmed

It is completely normal and okay to get all these feelings during lockdown, you should not beat yourself up over it. By clicking on this blog, you have taken the first step in overcoming these feelings. I am going to provide you with different methods you could try to overcome all these feelings; To get back to your old self.

Ways To Cope With Mental Health

Take a break from your daily activities

Watching TV or browsing social media all day long can be quite draining and can negatively affect your mental health, therefore why don’t you take at least a 5-minute break every 30 minutes, just get up and walk about and get your blood flowing. Trust me you will feel much better!

Take care of your mind and body

Ask yourself, when’s the last time you went for a run or did some exercise? I know for me it’s been a while… that’s why I recommend downloading an app endorsed by the NHS called “One You Couch to 5K app” Found on NHS.UK; this app will help ease you into running and sooner or later you’ll start to love it and notice real changes in your mind and body. If running is not your style, try this 30-day yoga challenge to really stretch out and feel revived (its free!). Over and above all these exercises the one thing I would wish you take away from this most, is your sleep; make sure you sleep at least 7-8 hours a day, to allow your body and mind to rest.

Connect with friends

Call a friend you have not spoken to in a while, or a family member; staying in contact with friends and family during a time like this is vital, you are not only helping yourself feel better by connecting with friends and family, but you are also helping them.

Try a new healthy diet

I know it can be tempting to eat unhealthy during lockdown, trust me I have been there, the small delivery fee for McDonalds surely isn’t helping; adopting a new healthier diet has its benefits. We recently started cooking at home instead of getting those chicken nuggets we all love from McDonalds and I have to say I feel much better (although we did run out of  sauce). I have noticed that I am not as tired when I wake up in the mornings and my overall mood has improved.

How To Ask For Help

Remember you are not alone, and it is OK to ask for help. There are many professionals out there who can help, and you’re not wasting their time. Please see some links below for extra support if you need it and remember if it feels too much always reach out for support.

Links

MIND.org.uk

NHS.uk

MentalHealth.org

Mental Health Helplines

Samaritans – 116 123 (free from any phone, 24 hours a day)

SANEline – 0300 304 7000 (4.30pm – 10.30pm every day)

Mind – 0300 123 3393 (Monday – Friday 9am-6pm)

How can businesses help their colleagues stay safe?

Managing mental and psychological health in the workplace is a very important task. All businesses should have some sort of system in place in order to care for their employees mental and psychological wellbeing. The great news is that ISO 45003 Occupational health and safety management – psychological health and safety at work is under development. However, ISO 45001 the Occupational health and safety standard already includes requirements around managing psychosocial risk and protecting mental health. We would recommend all businesses to obtain an occupational health and safety management system.

We encourage you to contact us if you need any assistance.