How to maintain a positive wellbeing when you’re self-isolating at home
As we look to stay indoors to reduce the spread of the Coronavirus outbreak and alleviate the pressure on our National Health Service, it’s safe to say we’re currently experiencing an unprecedented level of disruption to our daily lives.
The latest guidelines from the government can be found on their website at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public
and, our latest company/service update can be found on our website at: https://www.stonewater.org/supporting-you/coronavirus-information-for-customers/
That’s all the operational information so far but, as well as those guidelines, when your self-isolating it’s also really important to take care of your mental health and maintain your wellbeing so here’s a few suggestions that may help you and your family maintain a positive outlook during the weeks ahead:
Ideas for adults:
If the majority of your time isn’t being taken up by working from home, or illness, there’s many ways to keep yourself busy and active when self-isolating, for example:
- Why not binge watch that TV series that everyone’s been telling you about
- Subscribe to an online magazines (or its’ postal version if you prefer to physically turn the pages)
- Cook/bake a new recipe
- Rearrange a room or declutter your wardrobe
- Keep active by trying out an online exercise session
- Join an online forum such as our Customer Hubb where you can meet and share your experiences with other residents: https://thehubb.stonewater.org/ - we’ve set up a specific Coronavirus topic which is trending between residents on there at the moment at: https://discuss.stonewater.org/t/coronavirus-stonewater-updates/3189
- Take the opportunity to set up a MyHome account so you’ll be able to manage your tenancy directly, online 24/7: https://myhome.stonewater.org/
- Increase your digital knowledge by improving your computer skills through some online free training courses: https://www.stonewater.org/get-involved/improve-your-computer-skills/
- Keep in touch with friends and family over free resources such as Skype, FaceTime and Whatsapp
- Maybe even learn a new language! – there’s several apps and websites that provide lessons for free
Idea’s to keep the kids entertained:
Children like routine, especially younger children, so outside of homework and home learning*, there’s some basic principles that you could introduce to provide a bit of structure to your children’s day. One idea is to divide their time into an enjoyable timetable of activities for them to follow.
As well as a bit of physical activity time (for younger children) that might include a bit of time for exercise**, dancing, balancing, playing an instrument or singing, there’s also a host of quieter activities you could encourage, including some which the whole family can enjoy together, for example: quizzes, jigsaws, board games, computer games, drawing and painting.
Why not set the family a challenge to focus on five skills you’d like them to learn? For example; mastering a basic recipe, learning how to knit or even touch-type.
In addition, it’s also really important that they have some time built into their day to interact and keep in touch with their friends and wider family members. Free resources such as Whatsapp, Skype or Facetime are ideal for that purpose.
*There’s various digital tools available to support children who are home learning:
Websites: Freckle.com / Lexialearning.com / Starfall.com / MysteryScience.com / Readworks.com / STMath.com /KhanAcademy.org / Gonoodle.com / Abcya.com / Xtramath.org / Zearn.org
Apps: Razkids / Seesaw / Epic / Vooks / Book Creator / Magnetic ABC / Ten Frames / ABC Mouse / Monster Math / Scratch Jr / Starfall / Let’s Read
YouTube videos: Kids Learning Tube / Free School / Homescholl Pop / StoryBots / Khan Academy / Smithsonian Channel / The Brain Scoop / Word World PBS / TED-Ed / Sci Show Kids / National Geographic Kids / Peekaboo Kidz / Storyline Online / Story Time with Ms. Becky / KidTimeStoryTime
Podcasts: Brains On / Six Minutes / But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids / Story Pirates / Circle Round / Smash Broom Best / Wow in the World / Eleanor Amplified / The Two Princes / Ear Snacks / KidNuz
Additional home learning resources:
TTS have created a free downloadable activity book to help with home learning. Available at: https://www.tts-group.co.uk/home+learning+activities.html
There’s also this fabulous site from Twinkl which provides free access to a vast array of learning materials and information including worksheets: https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resources/parents?fbclid=IwAR3695PY9KWhOXHiBfbUGIFhfY4mK8fBp_Z0VoCH7yFfsY9Gi9JE4gEptqs
** As an example, here’s a full 25 minute exercise routine from Jumping Jax Gym for both kids and their parents: https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=dhCM0C6GnrY&feature=share&fbclid=IwAR230NRoYu3ZD686IIQuwZTUPwwm-qRtCd482lEPp--H7Kx4NEx7PdvIQn8
As the situation continues, many children may be feeling confused and worried. The BBC have created a video to help, on their children’s CBBC Newsround webpage, entitled: Coronavirus: Here's some advice if you're worried about it: https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/51896156
Don’t forget though; if you start to find self-isolation especially hard on your mental health, please speak those who are always there to help at: