Boosting your emotional wellbeing

Overview

We’ve collected together a set of resources and links that will give you lots of other ideas for boosting your wellbeing at this time.

The good news is that even if you are isolating at home there is plenty you can still do to improve your emotional wellbeing.

The five ways to wellbeing

Evidence suggests there are five steps you can take to help improve your mental health and wellbeing:

1. Connect
2. Be active
3. Take notice
4. Keep learning
5. Give

You’ll be pleased to know that you can still do these five steps, even from your own home.

Relaxation tips

There are many small things you can do at this time to help you feel calmer. 

Relaxation techniques like controlled breathing and muscle relaxation might sound simple, but can be useful tools for feeling calmer quickly and reducing feelings of stress and anxiety. The Samaritans have put together some videos for you to practise at home.

Connecting with others

Some of you may be speaking to less people than usual. There are a number of organisations offering support that may be able to help you feel more connected and supported through this time:

• Anxiety UK has a telephone helpline and online chat options
• MIND runs a supportive online community called Elefriends
• Silver Line offers a telephone helpline for older adults
• Age UK has some useful information on things that can help with loneliness
• CALM is a national movement against suicide and they have a helpline and web chat 
• For text support you can contact SHOUT by texting 85258 

Self help

We understand that some of you may feel that the current situation is impacting on your mental health and wellbeing. We have collected together some key websites with information for managing your mental health at this time. Many of these national websites also have helplines, webinars, and online support options.

Websites offering support and advice for mental health problems at this time:

• MIND has lots of tips on looking after your emotional wellbeing if you are feeling anxious and worried, managing social distancing, and coping with self-isolation.
• Public Health England's Every Mind Matters campaign has released advice and tips on how to look after your mental wellbeing if you need to stay at home during the coronavirus outbreak. It also includes guidance if you’re feeling worried or anxious about the outbreak.
• You can find useful advice on how to cope emotionally from the Mental Health Foundation such as sticking to reputable sources for information and connecting with others in new ways.
• Anxiety UK are running a series of webinars, a live chat and helpline for people whose mental health may be worsened by fear of coronavirus and the need to self-isolate.
• OCD Action are the UK’s largest OCD charity and are running Skype and phone support groups for those whose OCD has been exacerbated by the current situation.
• CALM (the campaign against living miserably) is a leading movement against suicide and has a helpline, web chat and resources for you at this time.

The government have produced some guidance on looking after your mental health at this time.

Support for managing low mood and depression

It is important to speak to someone if you are concerned about your mood, particularly if you are having thoughts of self-harm or suicide.

Your GP will be able to offer you a telephone appointment and advice on how you might best manage your mental health at this time.

If you or someone you know is feeling suicidal there are people you can talk to:

• speak to a friend, family member or someone you trust
• call the Samaritans 24-hour support service telephone 0116 123 or contact the Samaritans online
• use the Staying Safe website for support, information and making your own safety plan
• contact NHS 111, although be aware of delays in accessing this service
• make an urgent appointment to see your GP, who may be operating a callback service
• telephone 999
• if you require urgent medical intervention go to your nearest emergency department, though be aware that there are increased demands on and transmission risks in emergency departments at this time.