"When this is over - and it will be over - we want to look back on this moment and remember
the small acts of kindness done by us and to us" Rt Hon Rishi Sunak

For those who do not know- this week is in fact Mental Health Awareness Week (18-24 May 2020) and the theme this year is kindness.

Here at Freedom Works we realise more so than ever the importance of coming together and supporting one another through these unprecedented times. Although we may be unable to meet up for our usual weekly coffee catch ups or meetings, even with social distancing you benefit from human and community contact in other ways.

Perhaps you may be feeling bored, anxious or a bit lonely at the moment but it is so key that you remember it is OK to feel this way and every single person will deal with this situation in a unique way. Above all else it is so important to remind yourself that this situation is temporary and these confusing feelings will pass as will the situation.

We have decided to gather some key top tips to keep your mental wellbeing in check:

1. Keep up to date and information savvy with every government update: This will allow you to feel settled and at peace with your current employment status, finance management and business status. Speaking to your employer about your rights and benefits will relieve any worry you may have been building up.

For further guidance visit https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

2. Complete a weekly planner: This will create order in each and every day allowing you to keep as busy as you regularly would. Whether this involves setting daily step counter goals or getting round to those household jobs you have been meaning to crack on with. A sense of routine will ease any confusion and unproductivity.

3. Stay connected with others: Maintaining healthy relationships with your friends, family and colleagues is important for your mental wellbeing. There are so many ways you can stay connected either through video call apps such as Facetime, Whatsapp video chat or Zoom. You can also stay connected through regular use of social channels such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn for those more professional connections.

4. Speak up: If you have any concerns during this uncertain time simply pick up the phone or speak to the people who live in your household. The majority of the time those who you are communicating your fears with will be feeling the same. If you need to take these conversations to the next level you can reach out to all NHS helplines.

5. Look after your body: Make use of your allowed daily exercise. This may be a bike ride, walk or run but do remember there are many other forms of exercise that you could be taking on in the comfort of your own home. Many personal trainers have taken on the job of providing live workouts for the world, these coaches include Joe Wicks, Gabby Allen, Courtney Black and many others. To access Joe Wicks daily live 9am workouts visit his Youtube channel -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAxW1XT0iEJo0TYlRfn6rYQ

Do try your best to eat healthy, well-balanced meals and to drink plenty of water. This may even be easier through this time as we are working with essential food items rather than the usual luxury snacks that are often found in many families’s weekly shops.

6. Do not stay glued to the news: It is great to keep up to date with vital updates but it is not necessary to rewatch the same headlines that are carried through several news channels each evening. Be sure to limit the time you spend watching, reading or listening to coverage of the outbreak and this includes notifications on social media.
If you are looking for factual updates ensure you use trustworthy sources – such as GOV.UK or the NHS website.

7. Continue regular hobbies and take on new ideas: Make an effort to allow recreational time in each day. Whether this is a virtual quiz, baking a cake or reading a book- now is the time to perfect that victoria sponge recipe to become the next Mary Berry!

There are so many simple recipes online with the BBC https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes and many other sites. You can also source pub quizzes, crosswords, ‘how to’ videos and much more Youtube and other social media.

8. Sleep is more important than ever: It is so key to get a good quality sleep as it makes such a big difference to how we feel. There has been a lot to take in for everyone over the past few weeks and it is vital that we let our brains rest as much as we let our bodies.
If you need to find some sleeping tips visit https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/sleep-and-tiredness/how-to-get-to-sleep/

9. Check in with like-minded business people: If you are lucky enough to have already been part of a community run workspace like ours pre-lockdown you will know the importance of networking and brainstorming with like-minded business people but if this is something you do not know how to approach then it is not too late! It is entirely free to become a member of our evergrowing 1,500 member community.

For further information on how to join a community like ours simply email [email protected]


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