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Barry Magazine
Stay Home Stay Well For months we've heard advice about managing our physical health during the pandemic, but what about our mental health?
WRITTEN BY PIERRE & HELEN FROM C&V WELL-BEING
Cardiff and Vale Wellbeing have given us their advice on looking after your mental health at this difficult time.
1. PLAN YOUR DAY • Adjusting to a new way of life can be challenging for our mental health, we need routine to secure our identity, confidence and purpose. • Keep to a regular routine, write a physical plan of your day on a poster and stick to it. Start at the same time with breaks evenly spread to coincide with a chronological milestone like the news or your favourite radio show. • Connect with your family, friends and neighbours in person if you can social distance safely or by video call.
2. IMPROVE YOUR SLEEP • Feelings of helplessness and uncertainty can cause psychological trouble which could affect your sleep. The sleep hormone Melatonin is produced on a day/night cycle and adhering to this will help your sleep. • Keeping a routine with your sleep is a good idea, so go to bed and get up at the same time. Oversleeping can cause what is called social jetlag and your body responds better to regular timings. • Take a nap in the day if you need it, but no more than 45 minutes and this should be around lunchtime.
