Following the lockdown lots of people are now stuck at home, either alone or with the family. Many of us are finding it increasingly stressful and it’s affecting our emotional health. There are so many different pressures at the moment.

You might be:  

• stressed by the barrage of bad news both on the TV and on social media feeds.
• worried about the health of friends and family and not be able to see them.
• concerned about the health and safety of loved ones who are key workers.

On top of that there are money worries - you might be furloughed, or you might have seen your business completely disappear and not be eligible for government help.

Many people are trying to work at home and some combining that with home schooling. The kids are playing up as they are missing their friends and fed up with you as teacher. You can’t get them out as often as you normally would.

You might have unrealistic expectations from your company or your boss about their expectations for you regarding work that needs to be done, calls and video meetings. Spending the day on video meetings is incredibly stressful and has been shown to be bad for mental wellbeing.

All these things mean it’s an incredibly tough time.  Just remember it is a crisis and it is not normal by any means. The majority of people have seen an impact on their mental health. Many of us are struggling to sleep, have seen increases in anxiety and worry, finding it difficult to concentrate.

Please don’t worry and just do what you can.

With the lockdown and social distancing or self-isolating lots of the things that help our mental and physical health have gone. We can’t get out to sports clubs, yoga or mediation class, to the countryside.

We need to practice self-care so here’s some things that might help:

• A routine can provide structure and help you cope, make sure you have regular bed and waking up times, breaks from work in the day.
• Limit your news and social media consumption - this helps by cutting down exposure to bad news and negativity.
• Make sure you get outside if you can, even if that is in the garden, but ideally for a daily walk or cycle. If not, then get moving at home. Home workouts are great to build into your day if you can. Make sure you get up off your work chair and move and stretch regularly.
• A healthyish diet will help but if you need that glass of wine or cake don’t stress about it.
• Check out resources to help mental health – mindfulness apps, meditation on YouTube, relaxing candles or essential oils or just a few deep breaths when it gets too much. Just taking a few minutes to breathe deeply can help reset things.
• Keep connected to friends, family, colleagues, the boss and share your concerns with them.
• Talk to the kids, they will be worried and need you to reassure them.
• Have a break watch something silly on tv, dance, listen to music what ever helps.

If you’re struggling to concentrate on work don’t worry, have a break and do some more later or tomorrow.

Just Do What You Can.

Remember we will get through this. It’s Ok not to be Ok. Take care everyone.

 

EnterprisingYou provide fully funded support to the self-employed and gig economy workers across Greater Manchester, including expert Health and Wellbeing support. If you would like to find out more about EnterprisingYou, register online, email info@enterprising-you.co.uk or call 0161 667 6900 to speak to one of our business coaches. 

More information about the EnterprisingYou programme can be found here.