The current Coronavirus (Covid 19) outbreak can be scary and can affect our mental health. While it is important to stay informed, there are also many things we can do to support and tackle our wellbeing during such difficult times.
Thanks to Mental Health Charity Hafal, here are some tips and useful links we hope will help you, your friends and your family to look after your mental health.
Stay in contact
Missing your teammates? Check in on each other now and again digitally to avoid feeling lonely. Whether it’s making plans to video call people or groups you’d normally see in person, arrange phone calls or send messages to keep in touch. With next to no sport around you might be worried that you might run out of stuff to talk about! Plan with someone to watch a show or read a book separately so that you can discuss it when you contact each other.
Tackle the facts
Stay onside of what’s happening by using the Government website, it is the most up-to-date and reliable source of information. The NHS common questions about the virus can also be useful if you are worried about symptoms or family members. Take care with news and information
For up-to-date advice in English, see the NHS coronavirus webpage and gov.uk .
For up-to-date advice in Welsh, see the NHS Wales coronavirus webpage and llyw.cymru
If news stories make you feel anxious or confused, think about switching off or limiting what you look at for a while.
Decide on your routine
Plan how you’ll spend your time. We may not be able to do our pre-match routines just yet but try to follow your ordinary routine as much as possible. Get up at the same time as normal, follow your usual morning routines, and go to bed at your usual time. This might be a great chance to mix things up a bit if you aren’t happy with your usual routine.
Try to keep active
There’s plenty of options to build physical activity into your daily routine and you don’t always need expensive gym equipment at home. Take inspiration from our Sporting Memories sessions by playing seated volleyball from one couch to the next or indoor curling in the hallway. Or if you’re feeling a bit more adventurous how about one of our camp games including chicken or hero or a miniature king of the ring tournament.
If none of those take your fancy there’s plenty of less strenuous activities you can do around the house, including walking up and down the stairs or dancing to music.
Get some fresh air
Here at OitC we love being out and about around the community! We may be limited to one exercise out of our homes each day but we can always spending time outdoors in our gardens or just by the front door. Bringing nature into your everyday life can benefit both your mental and physical wellbeing. It can improve your mood, reduce feelings of stress or anger, and make you feel more relaxed.
Find ways to relax and be creative
There are lots of different ways that you can relax, take notice of the present moment and use your creative side.
Keep your mind simulated
Ever thought of your fantasy Ospreys XV? Or how about an XV made up of Prince William at scrumhalf or Rob Brydon as fullback? Keep your brain occupied and challenged by doing puzzles, reading or listening to podcasts. Ospreys in the Community have created activity packs that you can download here.
If you’re feeling anxious
If you have panic attacks or flashbacks, it might help to plan a 'safe space' in your home that you'll go to. You can also find ways to comfort yourself if you're feeling anxious. For example, there are games and puzzles you can use to distract yourself, and breathing exercises which may help.
If you’re feeling claustrophobic or trapped
Open the windows to let in fresh air. Or you could spend time sitting on your doorstep, or in the garden if you have one. Try looking at the sky out of the window or from your doorstep. This can help to give you a sense of space. Regularly change the rooms you spend time in.
Useful links
- Hafal are Wales’ leading charity for people with serious mental illness and their carers. Covering all areas of Wales, Hafal is an organisation managed by the people we support: individuals whose lives have been affected by serious mental illness.
- Latest information on Coronavirus (COVID-19) from Public Health Wales, including information on what to do if you have symptoms, and what action you need to take to prevent its spread.
- Coronavirus COVID-19 Symptom Checker from NHS Direct Wales:
- Coronavirus and your wellbeing: excellent advice from Mind on how to look after your mental health if you are worried about the situation
- Tips from the Mental Health Foundation on dealing with the media coverage of coronavirus and reducing anxiety
There are a number of Wellbeing Services currently running during the Coronavirus outbreak around the region, you can find a list of those here.
Stay home. Protect the NHS. Save Lives.