How are you all as the restrictions continue to lift?

  • Worrying about new covid strains
  • To Travel or not To Travel
  • Eating indoors? Group activities

You are not alone! it is ok to feel like this and have these concerns.

If you haven’t already had the chance to read our previous piece, you might find it helpful to follow the link below.

Post-pandemic MOT

It offers advice and tips around Wellbeing; a self-help plan to get you thinking about how you feel now…… how you can do small things to help you stay feeling well….and to encourage you to worry less about the impact of the things you cannot control.

The Serenity Prayer

Grant me the Serenity
To accept the things I cannot change
Courage to change the things I can,
And Wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time,
Enjoying one moment at a time,
Accepting hardship as the pathway to peace.
Taking world as it is,
Not as I would have it.
Trusting that things can be made right
if I surrender will.
That I may be reasonably happy in this life.

 

Following on from this we are sharing videos you may find helpful including one from Dr Sunil Ladd, Consultant Clinical Psychologist about Covid & Wellbeing the other a taster of Laughter Therapy with Jules and Emma.

Dr Sunnil Ladd - Covid 19 and Wellbeing     Laughter Therapy with Jules and Emma

My Lockdown Experience

Your Stories and Tips are so important to reassure others they are not alone.  By the end of Carers Week, we hope to be able to showcase your stories on our website helping others with their wellbeing.

If you would like to share yours or any tips you can complete the form below.  

My Lockdown Experience

My Experience

2020 was a year like no other.  As an employee I was rarely in the office, out at meetings with HR or Personnel Managers talking about how best to support Carers they employ suddenly I’m working from my kitchen table and all my contacts are saying our staff are either furloughed or working from home. 

As a Carer I came up against a whole new set of difficulties, my husband shielding, my parents living 30 miles away, both with health conditions and not able to visit but worst of all was not being able to plan my regular visit abroad to give my Grandmothers Carer respite.

Tips That May Help

I tried take time out when I needed it.  Audio books became my best friend having someone read to me reminded me of my childhood; setting up a regular coffee break with good friends over messenger and teaching the olds about technology was an experience.  Sharing how I was feeling meant that I was always able to confront the feeling.

My Experience

I found lockdown really difficult at the beginning.  We had planned the “holiday of a lifetime” on the west coast of America which I was so looking forward to.  Also, I couldn’t see my mother or my daughter who live over 3 hours’ drive away, I had never gone more than 3 or 4 weeks without seeing them before.  In addition, I had to go from being out and about with work all the time, doing workshops, training sessions and presentations to being at home all day every day.

I was expecting to be thrilled to be able to go out again, but I had the opposite reaction.  By the time, the first lockdown eased I was quite happy being at home and going for the occasional walk.  I panicked at the idea of a shopping trip and a get together with friends and retreated back indoors.  I was lucky to have lots of zoom and telephone contact with colleagues and friends but still struggled.  This time I have made sure I made the changes gradually, slowly doing more and easing back into seeing more people.

Tips That May Help

Take it slowly if you feel really uncomfortable about it don’t do it!  Start by going for a walk, maybe meet a friend in the park.  If that goes well, next time go to the local shop or meet up in a café.  Take it at your own pace, there is no right way of doing this.  Unlock in a way which suits you.

Self Help Plan

You may like to try completing the Self-Help Plan. You don’t need to share it with others but by thinking about these questions may help.  Consider small changes you can make and possibly worry less, feel better and more in control. 

Download (PDF)  Download (Word)

The next step could be making your future plans or a pledge.  This is your Annual Service and MOT?

Is it time to start thinking about all the things you are grateful for; that make you smile and improve your life?  Write them down to add to your Wellness Jar or a Gratitude Journal.

Click this link to go to our E-Learning page.