4 minute read
Mental Health
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during Lockdown
Is the latest lockdown taking its toll? What can you do to improve the mental wellbeing of those around you? PPL PRS Ltd PR and communications manager Alexandra Carr has some suggestions...
The Government currently advises that if you can work from home, you should. Last year during the initial lockdown, 46.6% of people worked from home and of those, 86% were working from home due to the Covid-19 pandemic (ONS). Whilst some businesses have now made their premises Covid-safe, many continue to encourage home working where possible.
Home working may or may not suit you; some people adapt quickly to the new environment and routine, others may not have had the provision to work from home so easily. Perhaps they had to work from their bedroom, or children being off school made it hard to concentrate and focus on tasks. As various lockdowns have been implemented, many people have started to feel isolated and lonely. Research has shown that many people who feel lonely use the radio to combat those feelings. The familiar voice of the presenters, the music, and the daily routine can help to fill the day when experiencing isolation whilst working at home.
Here at PPL PRS, our employee engagement team worked hard throughout this time to ensure everyone remained connected. A multitude of events and initiatives were held, including weekly quiz nights, a book club, exercise classes, care packages, check-ins, comedy nights, and open mic nights.
As sponsors of LAMP, a mental health charity that helps people in need to feel valued, listened to, and able to cope, and having had our managing director Andrea Gray win Businesswoman of the Year at the Niche Business Awards 2020 largely thanks to her success in migrating the PPL PRS team from office to home whilst ensuring their mental health was cared for, we hope these top tips help keep your own team’s mental health in check at this time.
If you, or someone you know, is struggling to cope with their mental health, here are some suggestions that could perhaps help.
CHECK IN ON YOUR COLLEAGUES
Mental health can be a difficult conversation to have with a colleague. Perhaps you have noticed a slight change in their behaviour, they are becoming less engaged, or avoiding social contact. It is very easy to ask someone: “Are you OK?” and then accept their first answer of: “Yes, I’m fine.”
ASK AGAIN
That second time might just be the nudge someone needs to open up about how they are feeling.
FIX YOU
When someone takes that step to talk about something that is getting them down, don’t always try to fix it. A listening ear could be all they need, a chance to air their worries and concerns to someone who won’t judge or try to find a resolution.
TALK
Talk to a trusted friend/relative, or a mental health first aider.
TAKE A BREAK
It doesn’t have to be a holiday, it could just be an hour where you walk away from the problem. Go to a local park and watch the world go by. If it’s raining, put your brolly up and go and splash in some puddles – having childish fun can be very therapeutic.
AVOID ALCOHOL/DRUGS
Alcohol and drugs may block out the problem and help you forget for a short time, but the hangover/ come down will be worse.
LISTEN TO MUSIC
Research has shown that music releases dopamine into our brain – the happy chemical. Close the curtains, turn the volume up and pick a playlist to lift your spirits (check out PPL PRS’s working from home playlist handpicked by our employees) or even better, put your headphones in and go for a long walk, get some fresh air and exercise with your favourite band for company.
ASK FOR HELP
We all need help from time to time and we should never be ashamed to ask for it.
EXERCISE
You don’t have to join a gym or leisure centre to exercise. Perhaps you could start the Couch to 5K plan, walk 10,000 steps per day, or set a goal to swim 20 lengths of your local pool. All exercise focuses the mind on the task and eases anxiety and stress. Of course, please always stick to the Government guidelines with regard to exercise and leaving your home.
LEARN A NEW SKILL
A sense of self-achievement can help to build mental strength – perhaps learn a new language or a skill you can transfer to your work life.
VOLUNTEER
Helping people who are in need could assist with your mental health and build confidence, whilst also helping to give something back to people who may not be able to provide for themselves.
