Looking After Your Mental Health and Wellbeing During Self-Isolation

COVID-19 has drastically changed the way we live, work, socialise, exercise and travel. It’s normal to be feeling scared, stressed or anxious during this uncertain time. Being stuck indoors can take a huge toll on our health and wellbeing, which is why it’s so important that we prioritize looking after ourselves as well as our friends and family around us.

Below are some effective tips for maintaining your mental health and wellbeing during self isolation:

• Stay connected – Make time in your day to regularly catch-up with friends and family by phone or video call. Supporting each other during lockdown can help us feel safer, calmer and less anxious. Someone you know may be struggling with self-isolation, so make sure to check up on them and show your support.
• Get up and get active – It can be difficult to get active as the gym and sport facilities are closed, but it’s not impossible! Try going outside for a walk, doing at-home workouts or joining an online yoga class. Regular exercise is even more important now you find yourself in self-isolation. It helps reduces stress and improves physical and mental health.
• Keep learning new things – Keep yourself busy and engaged during lockdown by picking up new hobbies that you have always wanted to try. Maybe learn a new language, start painting or discover new recipes and learn how to cook!
• Stick to a routine – Routines may sound boring but planning out the day is important for your mental health. Try to go to sleep and wake up at the same time, get ready in the morning, take regular breaks from work and have some downtime. This will help you to manage your days and adjust when life starts to go back to normal.

As we all try to find ways to adjust to this new reality, caring for our wellbeing and the wellbeing of our community will help us get through this period. For more resources and support, visit The Mental Health Foundation or The Ministry of Health.

To keep workplaces engaged with health and safety, Working Wise is offering online Health and Wellbeing Coaching sessions. We coach managers, team leaders, mental health first aiders, and Health and Safety Representatives, on how to deal with staff reports regarding mental health or wellbeing. Contact us by filling out our online form or phone 04 499 0710.