Health first
Infectious disease outbreaks, such as Covid-19, can cause anxiety and significantly affect our mental health.
It is important to remember that there are many things we can do to support and manage our own and other’s mental wellbeing.
Below are some tips we hope will help you, your friends and your family look after your mental health at a time when there is so much talk about the physical impact of coronavirus.
Protect your mental health, while social distancing
More of us will be spending a lot of time at home and many of our regular social activities will no longer be available to us. It will help to try and see what is currently happening as a different period of time in our lives, and not necessarily a negative one, even if we didn’t choose it.
Try to stay connected and keep in touch with others regularly on social media, or via e-mail, phone or video. They are still a good means of remaining close to the people who matter to you.
Create new routines that prioritise looking after yourself. Try reading more or watching movies, have an exercise routine, eat a balanced diet, keep hydrated, try new relaxation techniques, or learn new knowledge online. Try and rest and view the current situation as a new if unusual experience, that could have its benefits.
Follow hand hygiene advice and make sure your wider health needs are being looked after, such as having enough prescription medicines available to you.
Try to avoid speculation, gather your information using reputable sources. Rumour and speculation can fuel anxiety. Having access to good quality information about the virus can help you feel more in control. You can get up-to-date information and advice on the virus here:
Stay in touch with friends on social media but try not to sensationalise things. If you are sharing content, use this from trusted sources, and remember that your friends might be worried too.
Regularly question whether your social media activity is causing a problem for you. If there are particular accounts or people that are increasing your anxiety, consider muting or unfollowing accounts or hashtags.
We understand there is concern and anxiety about coronavirus. If you or a member of your team would like to speak to a counsellor, you can contact First Class Support available 24/7 to provide emotional (not medical) support on 0800 6888 777.
Click here to see the full range of support available to you.
