Self-care tips

The impact of the global pandemic has swept through all of our lives abruptly and unapologetically. It’s probably fair to say that COVID-19 has affected the way we live our lives dramatically.

If you’re struggling, we want you to know that we see you, you’re not alone.  Here are some self-care reminders that we hope you will find useful.

Be kind
Be the friend to yourself that you are to others.  We are often a lot less empathetic and particularly judgemental towards ourselves when we are finding tasks difficult to carry out due to our mood.   Try to change your mindset by using kinder terminology, for example, If you realise that you use a lot of ‘I should’, adapt this to ‘I would like to’.  Changing the language makes you think of the outcome that you would like to achieve, the task/situation will then feel less demanding but will also reduce the sense of failure if it wasn’t possible to action.

Beware of comparisons
Try not to compare your situation to someone else’s.  We can often feel that others are experiencing more difficulties, and then invalidate how we feel, by not warranting our own hardships.  Each individual has their own unique experience and history before even the pandemic took hold, comparisons can lead us into thinking that we ‘should be’ coping better when it would be kinder to acknowledge it’s a difficult time and perhaps it would be helpful to seek support.

Limit the time spent watching and reading the news
Yes, we all need to keep up to date with the latest guidelines and advice but investing too much time in this can make us feel overwhelmed. Focus on matters you can control: looking after your health and wellbeing, making time for things you enjoy or find relaxing,

Connect with your surroundings
Nature is nourishing and can calm a busy mind, if you are able to venture outdoors, you may find mindful walking useful; it can help to reduce anxieties.  Depending on local restrictions, meeting with a friend to walk and talk outside (socially distanced of course) is also recommendable as you are physically moving and talking through any problems or anxieties, compared to if you are stationary and feeling ‘stuck’ with your concerns.  If meeting and being outside isn’t possible, calling someone on the phone, and walking as you do so, is an alternative option.

Reach out
Any problems you are experiencing do not need to be worked through alone.  Why do we set up internal rules that we ‘should’ manage it all by ourselves?  Speak with someone you trust; a family member or friend/ your GP for guidance regarding support services in your area / and mental health organisations who can provide details of counselling services.

For more tips for coping with everyday living, to help with concerns regarding money, work, university, parenting and much more, please view further advice and guidance provided by Mind.