Some of us may still choose to go out less or to still self-isolate. Here are some tips on how to stay mentally well in your home:
Exercise can be anything that gets your body moving and heart rate up, like walking, jogging, running, cycling and more. If you’re looking for some guidance, we’ve put some of our favourites below:
Supporting Wellbeing at Home: A simple PDF from Mind on small ways to keep active, and the 5 ways to wellbeing.
#StayInWorkOut: Tips, advice and guidance on how to keep or get active in and around your home from Sport England. Join the movement and use #StayInWorkOut to share how you’re getting active during this time.
Active 10: The Active 10 app is a great way to help you monitor and gradually increase your brisk walking over time.
NHS 10 minute workouts: Only got a few minutes? The 10-minute workout ideas are perfect if you’ve only got a bit of spare time when you’re at home.
Joe Wicks P.E Lessons: Looking for something to do with the kids? Joe Wicks has done some fantastic YouTube P.E lessons for all.
Couch to 5k: This is a 9-week running programme designed for complete beginners by the NHS. Many of our Bath Mind staff have used this successfully, so we’d highly recommend!
Parasport: Parasport have created accessible home workouts that ideal for wheelchair users and those just getting started or haven’t been active for a while.
Wesport: Wesport have a page dedicated to COVID-19 support, including a Join the Movement page where you can find a wide variety of on demand and live online classes to suit any fitness level. They also have some excellent advice around getting outside and making the most out of the fresh air.
Yoga with Adriene: Yoga instructor Adriene offers hundreds of free YouTube videos guiding you through different practices. From complete beginner sessions to 30 day challenges, you can find yoga for all levels here.
Maintaining a daily/weekly routine for your mental health and wellbeing is vital.
A routine does not need to mean a strict timetable of productivity, it simply means you have a structured plan for the day, that allows you to plan ahead and feel slightly more in control of your wellbeing. Create a new daily or weekly routine that prioritise looking after yourself, including a variety of things you enjoy and techniques to keep mentally well. A routine could include:
Many of us are now based at home, or working in different circumstances, so it’s vital to look after our own mental health and wellbeing whilst working.
Keep taking your medication as planned, and ensure you know when you need to order any repeat prescriptions. Here is some guidance on how to get your prescription if you’re not able to get out and about:
If you’re living with others in your household, you may need to support them as well as yourselves. For many families, the last few years has been an extremely worrying time for both parents and children alike. Here are some resources that may help:
The NHS website has all of the information about the current progress of the vaccination and booster programme, including information on why the vaccine is safe and important, how to book your appointment and more, and can be found here. They also have a directory of vaccination information from other organisations here.
Public Health England have also created this easy read guide to the COVID-19 vaccine and vaccination process, all in easily digestible English and format.
Needle phobia (trypanophobia) is a very common fear of procedures involving needles, which affects around 1 in 10 people in the UK. This is nothing to be ashamed of – you are not alone in your phobia. The phobia can manifest as deep anxiety before, during and after the vaccination appointment and can deter some from getting a vaccine.
With so much coverage and footage of the COVID-19 vaccination, it is normal to experience feelings of anxiety and stress when viewing images of needles, when planning to get your vaccination or when receiving your vaccine. There are relaxation techniques that can help when these feelings of anxiety and stress come up.
The progressive muscle relaxation method is an effective way to lower blood pressure, which is particularly useful when feeling faint or dizzy.
This is how you can try the method:
Using the breath can be a useful method to dissipate feelings of anxiety. Free apps such as Headspace and Insight Timer can offer meditation methods that use the breath to help ground you.
You can also receive treatment for needle phobia that has proven to be successful for others that have been affected. Some treatment options include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or exposure therapy. Your GP can help you to receive this treatment.
The Guy’s and St. Thomas’ NHS Trust have an excellent resource on self help and how to overcome needle phobia here.
