Weekly quiz on Zoom with my friends. Video calling people. Accepting that there’s going to be a period of adjustment to the new situation and that’s okay. Accepting the bad days and sitting with them. Trying to reduce negative self talk.
Meditation. Encouraging others to talk
Really taking one day at a time. Having specific goals for each day and trying to be satisfied with small achievements. Doing something creative. Working on the garden. Getting out in the fresh air. Enjoying nature. Trying to take notice of the small things i.e. fungus growing on a piece of wood. Listening to the birds.
Going for walks along the seafront, looking at and hearing the waves; trying to cope one day at time; actively avoiding the news (I don’t watch any TV news and almost no radio news; I try to limit what I see online and avoid looking at articles with sensationalist titles).
Joe Wicks – getting up for his PE session gives structure to my day – even if I don’t want to do it I force myself to get up and participate
Acceptance that this is what it is and that every day is a new and different day, that may or may not go well
Being still, noticing emotions as they come up. Being kind to myself, when things get tough. Getting dressed and being creative have really helped me.
I have had the time to focus on activities which I’ve wanted to do for years (painting and upholstering furniture) and this has made me feel so positive, better than I normally feel.
Going for walks, once or twice a day. Doing some projects that would loom large if they weren’t done now. Reading fiction. Talking with friends by phone. Helping others, at a distance.
Having a routine; minor ‘projects’ for each part of the day, laptop work am practical pm; tv evenings and walk outside at some point.
Daily yoga, having structure in my day, walking every day. Telling myself it is ok to feel rubbish during a global pandemic.
We want to see a community response around mental health and wellbeing, on a similar scale to the army of volunteers, businesses and organisations mobilised to provide practical support to those shielding or in self isolation, and the most vulnerable in our communities. There are local and national sources of support (see our Resources link below). Above all though we need to build a greater acceptance and understanding in the wider community around how to help and support others in emotional distress.
Huge thanks to all those who participated in our anonymous survey. Your words are powerful and will help others to understand they are not alone. Your ideas and reflections will help to shape how community support can be developed over the coming weeks and months.