& Your Community
>> During these times of high stress and uncertainty, it’s very easy to forget that we need to look after our own physical and mental health. Fear for ourselves and our family and worries about money and the future can all cause long-term mental health issues. As mentioned in the last issue, the NHS are running a campaign called ‘Every Mind Matters’.
If you are feeling down, anxious or unsure, it is a great starting place to look for help:
Every Mind Matters
The Government has also produced some guidance for looking after your mental health during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Also, if you can, stick to your routine – If it’s possible try to stick to the same wake up and bedtime every day. Waking up at a set time helps stabilise your internal clock and improves your sleep.
Eat well – Tempting though it is to polish off that packet of biscuits the sugar high will just be temporary. Support your emotional health by eating a balanced diet with a variety of fruit and vegetables.
Lose the booze – Alcohol has a depressive effect and can lower your mood and prevent you from getting good quality of sleep. Both are things that could result in you feeling less emotionally prepared for the extra demands and worries many of us are facing.
Learn to relax – You MUST make time for yourself, time to relax and do something that brings you joy. If you don't look after yourself you'll find it harder to look after others.
Keep in touch – Humans are social animals and our current situation of staying at home is necessary to save lives but that shouldn't mean we don't stay in touch with others. Set aside time to call family, friends and colleagues.
Be mindful – This doesn’t need to be full meditation unless this works for you. It could be reading, walking, painting, gardening, board games, jigsaws, colouring in, sewing, juggling, listening to podcasts, watching documentaries, calling a friend or anything else that calms you. Use your exercise time to notice nature and enjoy your surroundings.
Minimise time spent reading the news and social media reports about Covid-19. It’s very easy to become quickly overwhelmed and depressed by all the reports across all forms of media. Limit yourself to maybe 10 minutes reading the reports, or just watch the daily Government updates.
Be kind to yourself and accept that these are not normal times, and getting stressed and overwhelmed is not a failing, just a natural response to the situation.
>> Community spirit is again becoming the beating heart of the nation. Communities large and small are helping each other with everything from shopping, collecting prescriptions and even befriending phone calls for those who are isolating and shielding. To find out how to access community help you can search on Facebook and twitter for your local Covid19 groups. Each local council also has a community hub, and this can either be accessed online or by calling your council directly. They will be able to connect you to volunteers who can help.
The village hall, Warehorne
<< English Rural has put together a little video to celebrate all the positive things rural communities are doing right now in these exceptional circumstances. You can view it on this page - just click the play button >>
>> There are only so many times you can do the housework and the gardening during lockdown before it loses its appeal. So it’s essential to find some other ways to occupy your mind. Maybe it’s a good opportunity to read a new book, watch a new film, or download and watch that whole series on TV that you have never had time to.
There are also many other things you can do too. Companies such as ‘Red Letter Days’ and the Open University offer a wealth of free or reduced priced courses you can complete online.
Maybe learn a new language or a new skill?
Red Letter Days
Open University
>> For those home-schooling children, there are many online resources and great lessons to be learned. Geography with Sir David Attenborough, Science with Prof.Brian Cox to name just a few. All be accessed at BBC Bitesize, along with many other great things for children to do.
BBC Bitesize