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Ways to protect your mental health and wellbeing


It’s important that we all look after ourselves, our families and our wellbeing during these extraordinary times. Try some of these tips and tricks to help do just that.

Mindfulness

Paying more attention to the present moment can improve your mental wellbeing. This includes your thoughts and feelings, your body and the world around you.

Try this three-minute meditation activity from mindfulness expert Leatham Green, or check out this video from Andy Puddicombe in which he talks about how doing absolutely nothing for ten minutes a day can help refresh your mind.

Check your mood and make a mind plan

The NHS has produced a mood self-assessment tool to help you better understand how you’ve been feeling. And if you become aware that you would like to talk about how you are feeling, mental health helplines can provide support.

The NHS Every Mind Matters website also has tips to help if you are worried about coronavirus and how to look after your mental wellbeing while staying at home – you can even make your own Mind Plan.

Resources for children and young people

Adopt South West have pulled together a list of helpful resources on their Facebook page. They also have lots of useful information and updates on their website.

Childline have a similar advice page on how to cope during lockdown and also offer a free counselling service online or over the phone. Or you could try PsychCentral’s 49 phrases to calm an anxious child.

Meanwhile, Louise Michelle Bomber and Touchbase offer useful tips for families through regular videos.

Take care of your physical health

To help keep you and your family physically fit and active, NHS fitness studio offers free instructor-led home workout videos covering aerobics exercise, strength and resistance, and yoga and pilates. A range of low-impact exercises is also available.

The NHS’s Live Well advice pages offer guidance on healthy diets, getting a good night’s sleep and support and tips on how to reduce alcohol intake.

Active Devon also has some brilliant ideas on how we can keep moving.


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