The coronavirus outbreak may be a physical health crisis, but it is also taking a toll on people’s mental health. The World Health Organization put out guidance on handling the stress of the pandemic and mental health campaigners have provided advice, particularly for people with existing anxiety issues who may find the situation particularly stressful. Here's a few ideas:
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A constant stream of news can add to feelings of stress, so the WHO advises getting updates once or twice a day and using official sources of information.
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It can also be helpful to take a break from social media or mute specific words or accounts that make you anxious.
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For people finding social distancing measures difficult, the charity Mind advises sticking to a routine and planning regular check-ins.
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If you're working from home, you could video call a friend or colleague in the background for company, suggests psychotherapist Nick Blackburn.
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Helping others has been shown to have mental health benefits and can be as small as ordering someone's shopping or texting someone you haven't spoken to in a while.
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If working from home, keep your schedule as similar to how it is in the office as possible. Take the same amount of time to get ready, keep your start time, and check in with your colleagues.
- Try to have a “transition” to mark the end of the working day. Clock out with your colleagues, and find a place you can put your work materials and laptop away.
HOW TO THRIVE IN THESE UNPRECEDENTED TIMES
As part of the government's business support package announced last week, we have been awarded funding to deliver our acclaimed 10/10 leadership development and mentoring programme "live and online" to help those now working from home. This 10-week programme will start on Wednesday, 1 April 2020 at 4pm with a one-hour lesson covering "change" - as this would seem to be an appropriate starting point. Other lessons will offer cutting-edge insights into resilience, wellbeing, motivation, teams, communication, strategy, influencing, effectiveness and self-awareness. READ MORE
The above leadership tip...
was sent in response to a question from a participant on our acclaimed 10/10 leadership development and mentoring programme and adapted from How to Work From Home Without Losing Your Mind by Brian Barrett. Whether you're a first time manager or an experienced leader, straightforward, practical advice on best practice is hard to find. Until now. To find out how you, your team or your organisation can benefit, please join us on our next complimentary WEBINAR or CONTACT us.
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