Getting through COVID-19 together
Over the years, we have been overwhelmed by the amount of support we’ve received from our supporters and the wider community. Now, during this uncertain time, we want you to know we are here to support you. Here are some of our top tips for how to cope during this time:
Stay connected
While we are keeping physically distant, it’s more important than ever that we remain socially and emotionally connected. As it’s vital for our mental health and wellbeing, we need to make sure we are keeping in touch with our family, friends, and community, even if we can’t see them in person. There are so many ways we can stay connected, including chatting online, video calling, creating online groups, playing online games together, or even writing letters or postcards.
Have fun
You may be spending a lot more time at home while self-isolating and practicing social distancing. It’s important to remember that being confined to your home doesn’t mean you can’t still have fun! Why don’t you use this time as an excuse to bond more as a family and try some fun activities together? Whether you feel like getting the kids in the kitchen, digging into your family board game collection, doing a puzzle or getting crafty, there are plenty of options to keep everyone’s spirits up during this time.
Take breaks from the media coverage
It is understandable if you are feeling afraid, anxious, or overwhelmed by constantly changing alerts and media coverage. While it’s important to stay informed about the crisis, it’s more important to look after your mental health and wellbeing. Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories about COVID-19, including social media. Use these breaks as a time to unwind and do some other activities you enjoy.
Stick to routine
It is important that you and your family continue to stick to a routine as much as possible, even though your circumstances might have changed. This will ensure you are completing all of your necessary tasks and it will also help to alleviate anxiety and stress. Sticking to a routine is especially important for children who may now be doing their schooling at home. They will need normality, familiarity and structure to make their learning as effective as possible.
Keep active
While we are confined to our homes, our bodies and minds still need exercise to function well, keep us healthy and improve our mood. This is especially important for children who would usually spend a lot of time moving around at school. If it is practical and safe to do so, try and spend some time outside riding, jogging, or walking when there are less people around. You could even add some movement to your day with an online workout or dance video.
It is a very unusual time for us all but know that we will come through it together. If you need any more tips or resources to help you navigate through the uncertainty, send us a message through our Facebook page or by emailing us at [email protected] and we will support you as best as we can.