The College is working hard to support our staff during this difficult and unsettling time.
You will be spending a lot more time at home over the coming months but there are lots of things you can do to make sure you feel well in your mind and body.
Please take a look at the tips, resources, ideas and information we have put together to inspire and support you.
The coronavirus pandemic means we’re having to radically adjust to a new normal. It’s a situation we’ve never encountered before, so it’s no wonder that a lot of us are struggling with our mental health as a result.
Below are a few resources which provide helpful tips and advice to support good mental health.
The coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak means that life is changing for all of us for a while. It may cause you to feel anxious, stressed, worried, sad, bored, lonely or frustrated.
It’s important to remember it is OK to feel this way and that everyone reacts differently. Remember, this situation is temporary and, for most of us, these difficult feelings will pass.
If you find you are feeling heightened levels of anxiety please visit www.anxietyuk.org.uk, the site has pooled together lots of helpful resources to assist you in managing those feelings.
With limited delivery slots available from the big supermarkets on the Island we wanted to let staff know about the new online service to help you find food and other supplies that can be delivered or picked up.
The service is called “A to Z to me“. You just need to use the plus icon to zoom in to the Isle of Wight on the map and then click on the circle icon when it appears. You will then be able to select you location and view services available for your location.
This is a great way to support local Island business through this difficult time and also access the supplies you need in a safe way.
We also thought it would be good to share a list of companies we know are providing a delivery service and give staff the opportunity to email in to share any others they know of:
There is a growing body of evidence indicating that nutrition may play an important
role in the prevention, development and management of mental health problems including depression and anxiety.
In times of uncertainty, cooking is both a means of grounding yourself – chopping and stirring, using your senses and judgement – and of engaging in normal routines, that remind you that life goes on.
We have put together some information and links to recipes below:
An important part of maintaining your wellbeing at this time is not to spend too much time on newspaper articles which may sensationalise and can lead to rising feelings of anxiety.
It is important to keep yourself updated on the latest information but also important to know when to switch off. We have put together a list of official sources of information below:
Although self-isolation can present it’s problems, there are also positive aspects to having more time on your hands. Doing those things you never have time to or have been putting off.
Getting these things off your plate may give you a sense of achievement of a day and provide a little daily boost. We have put together a list of ideas to get you going below:
You may feel frustrated that you can’t get the same sense of mental stimulation as you get at work therefore we have provided a few tips on how you can keep your mind active and yourself feeling motivated through these times:
More time at home could be a good opportunity to take up a new hobby or pick up something you used to enjoy before life got too busy. Below is a few ideas to get you inspired:
The extensive social distancing policies put in place to limit the spread of COVID-19 mean most people will have to spend much, if not all, their time at home.
While self-isolation measures are necessary, our bodies and minds still need exercise to function well, prevent weight gain and keep the spirits up during these challenging times.
Exercise can help keep our immune system become strong, less susceptible to infections and their most severe consequences, and better able to recover from them.
Starting the day with exercise can also help to structure your day and put you in a more motivated frame of mind.
We have put together a few suggested resources to help you to keep active while at home:
Balancing working from home and family commitments can be challenging therefore we have put together some helpful info and tips to support you:
Giving back can be a good way to help you feel connected to your community and feel like you have some control in the uncertain times. Below is some info about how you might be able to help:
Gov.uk provides guidance on How to help safely.
The Looking Out For Each Other campaign is to inform those who are well and not at risk, of the things that they can do to help support their friends and neighbours who need to stay at home because of Coronavirus (COVID-19).
Start by following guidelines on social distancing, but here some other ways to support those struggling.
There are four roles that you can do which are:
Visit www.goodsamapp.org to apply.