COVID-19 Public Info Booklet

Covid-19 has now had a far reaching impact on people right across the world and it’s important during this time to take care of your mind as well as your body. Everyone will be reacting in their own way. You might be feeling frustrated or lonely. Concerned about your finances, your health or relatives. And you might be feeling down, worried or anxious. It is OK to feel like this. These are normal reactions to uncertainty and to challenging events. Covid-19 has also impacted on many of the normal coping strategies we use to deal with stress, and on the everyday activity that underpins our emotional wellbeing. During this time, we may need to be more creative and thoughtful about how we look after ourselves. This booklet contains practical information about things you can do now to look after your mental health and wellbeing, and how you can support others.

It’s natural to feel anxious about what’s happening right now, but if it begins to feel too much follow our top tips;

Limit your News Coverage

Avoid constantly checking the news –it only makes your anxiety grow stronger. Limit yourself to 30 minutes a day or particular broadcasts.

Concentrate on the facts

Use reputable sources for news, advice and opinion such as the BBC. Be cautious of social media coverage.

Focus on what you can control

We can’t control the Covid-19 crisis but we can control our own responses and behaviours to it. Think ahead, make plans for what you’ll do in the coming days and weeks.

Distract yourself

Our minds struggle to hold two thoughts at one time. Distract yourself with exercise, games, books, movies or other activities.

Connect with Others

Reach out and connect with friends and family, in safe ways. Share your fears or talk about nothing in particular.

Be nice to yourself

Add extra time for stress relief in your day. Treat yourself whenever you need and do things you enjoy, within the limits of existing restrictions.

Hold on to Hope

Keep the big picture in mind. The crisis will end, and we will get through this.

Stress is a part of everyday life. It can help us take action and work productively. But if our Stress Bucket becomes full it can also overwhelm us and impact negatively on our mental health.

Challenge Draw your own stress bucket – what are some of the ‘rain clouds’ but also what are ‘our holes’. Everyday stressors including work, money and family flow into that Stress Bucket like rain. But we also have ways of coping that allow this stress to flow out, like holes in the bucket. But right now;

• Our Stress Bucket might be getting fuller – it’s raining more due to Covid-19.
• Some of our normal ways of coping, the holes in our Stress Bucket, might be unavailable due to the current situation.
• We might need to re-think how we cope with stress and the next few pages give you some ideas of how you can look after your wellbeing during Covid-19.

Connect with people

Connections with other people are the bedrock of our mental wellbeing. Though contact with others is challenged by current restrictions it is more important to maintain than ever. You may not be able to pop round for a cuppa or meet with friends in the pub but you can still connect – FaceTime, Telephone, text, social media, a conversation over the garden fence, or even write a letter!

Share your worries

It’s normal to feel worried or helpless about the current situation and how its impacting on you. Share your concerns with people you trust – it may also help them to talk about it – or if you are feeling isolated from other people there are a number of helplines and online forums where you can find a listening ear.

Help others

Helping others is a sure fire way of boosting your wellbeing, and now is a time when giving to others can make a real difference. There are a large number of volunteering opportunities to support the Covid-19 response, such as being an NHS responder – but also the opportunity to help practically – shopping for a neighbour and so on.