PAGE 6 | THE CARER DIGITAL | ISSUE 58
Mental Wellbeing - Avoiding the Pandemic “Hangover” By Carolyn Hobdey, author, media commentator and mentor specialising in life change (www.carolynhobdey.com)
Never has the spotlight been so brightly shone upon our mental wellbeing as it has throughout the covid pandemic. In fact, the normalisation of speaking more openly about our psychological welfare has been one of the glimmers of light that has come out of the situation. As restrictions continue to ease and we regain parts of our lives we have been denied for many months, the ongoing coronavirus mental health ‘hangover’ should not be underestimated. It remains vital that we continue to safeguard our mental wellbeing by taking conscious steps to shore it up. A few simple changes to our everyday lives can make a significant
difference to our mind hygiene. In case that sounds like hard work, the focus here is not about adding more things to our already busy lives, but instead eliminating those things (or people!) that don’t serve us well and making small changes to pre-existing routines. Here are six top tips to keep you in a mentally positive place: H: Hello! - the power of connection with others has really been highlighted whilst we’ve been kept away from friends and loved ones. Make regular time to speak or meet with people who positively impact on you. Laugh, offload and instantly reduce your stress. As an added bonus to yourself, say ‘hello’ to a stranger and see how good that spontaneous act feels. E: Exercise - the power of exercise is well known for improving our mental health as well as our physical health. That doesn’t change the fact that starting a new exercise regime or going to a public gym can be daunting, so just move - dance around at home, walk briskly outside, run up and down the stairs - it all helps… no-one is asking you to become an athlete. A: Achievements - at the end of each day think about three things you’ve achieved that day - however small. If you want, write them down, but it’s also ok to do this exercise whilst you clean your teeth before bed
at night. Take those couple of minutes to think about what those achievements say about you and your values - and congratulate yourself for them! L: Listen - consciously noticing your self-talk (how you talk to yourself in your own mind) can make a notable difference to how you feel. Catch yourself when you speak negatively and look for ways to turn those into positive thoughts. Ask yourself - what’s the upside that I’ve learnt from that mistake/failure/issue that I’m beating myself up about? T: Time-out - our ‘always on’ society can leave you exhausted. So set aside a regular time each week when you turn off your technology, give yourself a break from the news & media and go to do something positive for you instead. Meditate (it can take as little as 10 mins and there are lots of free Apps to guide you), make yourself a drink and sit quietly for a while or spend quality time with a loved one. H: Help - getting good at asking for and accepting help is great for reducing stress. Remember that when you ask someone for their help you’re saying, “you have something that I value” - which makes them feel good too! When asking for help, increase your chances of a ‘yes’ by being specific about what help you need and when as well as why they are the best person to assist you.
Quantum Care Resident Receives Award From The Royal British Legion For decades now Les has been selling poppies for the Royal British Legion. He started this charitable work by going from door to door with his wife Penny selling poppies to local Stevenage residents and eventually they became a regular and much loved sight doing charitable work outside Coreys Mill Sainsbury’s. Year after year, come rain or shine, Les has plied his charitable trade without missing a beat and even deteriorating health and a global pandemic have been unable to break his stride. Now a resident at Quantum Care’s Jubilee Court care home in Stevenage, Les turned his hand to the online world with the help of the Activities Team at the home, raising money for the Poppy Appeal through a Just Giving web page. The page raised over £1,700 in donations last year, breaking through his intended target of £500. On the 17th June, in recognition of his tireless contribution, Les received three visitors at Jubilee Court care home. Two visitors were
from the Royal British Legion and they were there on official business. For his outstanding support, Les had been awarded the Poppy Workers 25 Year Badge by the Royal British Legion’s Board of Trustees and a beautifully framed Certificate of Appreciation by the Stevenage branch of the charity. To deliver these awards in person were Poppy Appeal Organiser (Stevenage Branch) Retired Major Keith Greenough QVRM TD and Pat Jeffery, Royal British Legion Treasurer for Stevenage and Hertfordshire County. The other visitor was Pat Holding, his long-time friend who he met during his charitable work. Les and his wife knocked on Pat’s door one cold and dark evening and were very quickly invited in for a hot cup of tea and refreshments, which was the beginning of a long-lasting friendship. Pat attended Buckingham Palace with Les at the invitation of the Queen in 2014 for their services to charity.