How to stay well while working from home
The way we are working may have changed significantly for some of you. We want to make sure that those of you who are able to work from home stay healthy and keep connected.
Creating a good work/home balance
It is important that when working from home there is a good balance between work life and home life and that the environment you are in is a healthy and positive one. Here are some tips:
Find the right place at home to work. Consider the space, height of desk, chair, your posture, screen height, the amount of light and air that comes into your space;
Keep up your normal daily habits. Set out your plan for the day, with achievable targets so that you remain focused. Work when you are most productive and schedule time spent online and offline to give your eyes and body a rest;
Ensure you keep up human contact. Working from home, particularly when you are on your own, can be isolating. So go for that stroll, say hi to your neighbours or video chat/ring colleagues to keep in touch;
When taking calls, if you can move around, do so, so that you don’t remain static;
Keep your Outlook calendar updated so that colleagues and line managers can see when you are busy e.g. in a conference call meeting, should they need to get hold of you. Even set yourself reminders to take a break so that you don’t sit at your desk/space for too long;
Stop for breaks and a lunch. Do things you wouldn’t normally do in your lunchbreak to keep you moving. For example, a yoga session, put on the washing, take the dog for a walk, plant those seeds;
Ensure that your lunch is nutritious and keep hydrated; and
Keep in touch with your line manager or consultant so that they know that you are okay.
Reach out if you are feeling overwhelmed
Keeping your body healthy
It is important to stay physically active during this time, so below are some handy tips on what you could be doing.
https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/get-active/home-workout-videos/
https://www.sportengland.org/jointhemovement
https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/looking-after-yourself-and-nature
You could take up baseball and join the Cornish Claycutters Baseball Club! It’s open to all genders and all abilities https://www.cornish-claycutters.co.uk
Keeping mentally healthy
Alongside ensuring you keep fit physically we must also ensure we are mentally well in these unusual circumstances. Our level of social interaction may have dramatically changed which can have an effect on mental wellbeing. There are also anxieties around the changing situation outside of home.
Please reach out to a colleague, a friend, your line-manager or your consultant if you are feeling overwhelmed with everything that is going on at the moment
Here are some tips:
Focus on things you can control such as your thoughts and behaviours
Control how often you check the latest news – try and allocate a time for checking news updates rather than throughout the day to avoid feeling overwhelmed
Use reputable news sources, and always question what you are reading
Remain active, going on a walk to get some fresh air can be really beneficial and can make up your daily exercise allowance
Interact socially with friends and family using social media or video calling
Stay in touch with your colleagues, teams, line managers and your consultant
Below are some links which you may find useful but if you should feel the need to talk to someone then pick up the phone
https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/top-tips-to-improve-your-mental-wellbeing/
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/moodzone-mental-wellbeing-audio-guides/
If you need to talk to anyone, you can also use the free Samaritans service – call 116 123
Mental Health Resources for key workers
SilverCloud
This is a free online confidential space to consider your wellbeing. This is now available to anyone in Cornwall, through the Cornwall Foundation Trust. Clinical experts have designed this with an aim to empower people to think and feel better.
SilverCloud is an online cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) programme. It allows you to complete therapy in your own time and at your own pace. It offers secure and immediate access to a range of mental health and wellbeing programmes. You can work through these using your computer, tablet or mobile phone.
The tried and tested modules within each programme consist of a range of interactive tools, activities and videos. These will help you identify and challenge negative thought and behavioural patterns.
https://www.cornwallft.nhs.uk/silvercloud
Making sure those around us and in our communities are safe
‘If you see something, say something’
Safeguarding is about protecting the health, well-being and human rights of individuals, ensuring they are able to live free from abuse, harm and neglect. Abuse can happen anywhere, in any situation, and comes in many forms; abuse is not just physical, it can be mental too.
If you have a concern speak with your line manager or consultant first who will be able to support you or obtain further advice.
Adult Safeguarding concerns – call 0300 1234 131
Multi Agency Referral Unit (MARU) – call 0300 1231 116
We also have a number of Safeguarding advocates who you can talk to about any safeguarding concerns.
