Advice, guides & articles

Time to talk day has been set up to encourage everyone to be more open about mental health and have more conversations about it, to break the stigma surrounding mental health. People with mental health issues often feel awkward or embarrassed, or even afraid to discuss their mental health with others. This can make the illness so much worse, so it’s time to break the silence and talk about our mental health. One in four people are affected by mental health issues; far more than a lot of people realise. You can take part in Time to Talk Day in many ways, including texting a friend, chatting to a colleague or even organising an event. Time to Change, who are running Time to Talk Day, are using the popular game “Would you rather?” to help break the ice this year. There are events taking place all over the country for Time to Talk Day, have a look here to see if there’s anything in your area. There are resources available on the site to help you to organise your event. Visit the site to find out more: https://www.time-to-change.org.uk/get-involved/time-talk-day

I'm a worrier, an over-thinker and usually just about function with raised anxiety day to day. I spend a disproportionate amount of my time thinking about how I can stop myself from feeling anxious and lonely and then today happened. Today, all my 'disasters' came true. From tomorrow I, like most of the country if not the world, will be working from home for an indefinite period of time. I am going to be putting myself into the one position I have fought so many mental battles to avoid. Before the panic could take hold I was ushered into a meeting to talk about mental health and homeworking which leads me onto my first tip for looking after your mental wellbeing; communication - Keep in touch with friends, family, colleagues via social media, messaging, telephone and if possible get as much face to face communication as possible. It is important to note that you are not the only person who feels this way. After talking with colleagues I quickly realised that thoughts I was trying to dismiss as irrational must be rational as other people were having them too! If you are working from home, make sure you have clear boundaries between work and home. I know myself I am tempted to use work as my 'thing' to keep busy which has always been fine in the past. Now working from home is a full time occurrence it is vital to know when work stops and downtime begins. During downtime, try not to dwell. On a positive note being at home is an opportunity to spend more time with family, have a spring clean, read more books, learn a new hobby or binge watch the next big series. Try and challenge yourself and keep your brain active. Why not learn a new hobby, take up yoga or teach yourself to do some DIY. It is said that gardening is good for the mind and soul and with spring around the corner we may have the chance to get outside and absorb some much needed vitamin D! If you are working from home make sure you take regular breaks and get outside as often as you can. Remember, we are still being encouraged to exercise. Even a stroll outdoors could do wonders for your wellbeing and mood. Avoid 24 hour news and checking your phone or social media too often . Nothing will have changed that much since you last checked and it's important to try and clear your mind to give other thoughts a chance to surface. Create a new routine. For many a lack of routine is cause for a decline in mental health. We can manage this by being prepared and creating a new routine. Get up, washed and dressed every day and have a morning, lunchtime, afternoon and evening routine in there. This is especially important if, like me, you are working from home. Treat work days as you usually would in the morning and sit down to your work station. Make sure you do something different on weekends and, this is a big thing for me to remember; open the curtains every day and welcome in a new day. You are in self isolation not hiding away, try and keep some perspective and challenge any negative thoughts before they may overwhelm you. Finally and to go back to my first tip, communicate. Keep in touch, chat, reach out for help if needed and try not to shut the world out. If you feel you need professional help, there are plenty of websites or helplines you can call, don't leave it too long to make the call for help. We are all in this together. Most of us are not used to staying home and for some people this may be their first ever feelings of anxiety or stress. Know you're not alone, none of us are and this situation, though unknown, will not last forever. I'm a worrier, but I'm not on my own, I know a lot of people who are just the same and we will be fine. Take care of yourself and support one another as best you can. Useful Contacts and Further Information: anxietyuk.org.uk mind.org.uk samaritans.org - or call 116 123 (free)

March 2020 saw the start of self-isolation week for many people, as employers roll out homeworking in a bid to curb the spread of coronavirus. If you are new to working from home it can be daunting, so we've put together a few tips to help! I know it's really easy to think 'great, I don't need to get dressed' but if there is one piece of advice I would say is the most important it would be to get up and get dressed as normal! Doing this will help you maintain some kind of routine and normality which is vital for your mental health.

Best practice for working at home:

• Establish Boundaries - work/life balance

• Get out and about as much as you can (so long as not self isolating)

• Communicate - Keep in regular contact with your colleagues. Working from home does not have to be isolating

• Take your full breaks and make sure you are away from your screen

• Make the most of your space - Try and establish a specific work area and keep it clean and tidy

• Change position regularly - If you feel any muscles starting to pull don't ignore it. Look after yourself!

Most of us have never found ourselves in this situation before and it can be frightening. Make sure you speak up if you need help and support, be it physically or mentally. We are all in the same boat and you will not be the only person feeling anxious, stressed or worried right now. Finally, it is vital you try and keep spirits up. For managers that means effective communication and contact with your team to keep up morale. For everyone else that means keeping focused on the job in hand, listening to managers and communicating with your colleagues.