COVID-19 - Looking after your physical and mental health while staying at home
The majority of us are still spending most of our days at home, so it is still important to look after both our mental and physical health.
Staying at home for long periods of time with limited contact with others can be challenging and so it's important that you take care of your mind as well as your body and to get further support if you need it.
We hope the guidance and advice on the following websites will help you stay healthy and active whilst staying at home.
Looking after your mental health while staying at home
A times of uncertainty, it's really important to take care of your mind as well as your body. Having good mental health helps us relax more, achieve more and enjoy our lives more.
- Active Essex - Keeping active and well at home - videos and links on mental health and wellbeing
- NHS Every mind matters - Mental wellbeing while staying at home - Your employment and benefits rights, Plan practical things, Stay connected with others, Talk about your worries, Look after your body, Stay on top of difficult feelings, Do not stay glued to the news, Carry on doing things you enjoy, Take time to relax, Think about your new daily routine, Look after your sleep, Keep your mind active.
- MIND - for better mental health - Practical advice for staying at home, Taking care of your mental health and wellbeing, Support for work, benefits and housing, Checklist for staying at home, Practical advice for staying at home.
- Age UK –advice for older people - Information on coronavirus, including updates on how you can look after yourself and loved ones, comments from Age UK, and ways you can support older people.
Keeping physically active while staying at home
Whilst staying at home, it's important to keep physically active to help keep us healthy at this time. Being physically active can not only help keep us healthy physically but can also be good for our mental health.
- 3030 Essex - This year we are teaming up with the Keep Essex Active YouTube channel to provide more ways to get you moving!
- GOV.UK - Health matters: getting every adult active every day - Adults (19-64) in England should aim to take part in at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity each week, in bouts of 10 minutes or more.
- Change 4 Life - healthy families recipes and activities to keep children entertained and keep active.
- Active Essex - Keeping active and well at home - videos and links on gentle exercise, active families and high energy exercise
- Sport England, Stay in, work out - Tips, advice and guidance on how to keep or get active in and around your home.
- Sadlers Wells - Join online for free dance performances and workshops
Other activities to keep minds active
- Towngate Theatre - Children's stories online - perfect for younger children and toddlers
- Essex Libraries - thousands of e-books, e-audiobooks, e-comics, e-magazines and e-newspapers available through Borrowbox, RBdigital and PressReader.