Health and Wellbeing News

This week is Migraine Awareness Week.

There is a lot of misunderstanding around migraines. It’s not just a headache.

So what is a migraine?

Migraine is a severe and painful long-term health condition. If you have migraine you will have migraine attacks, which can be a whole-body experience.

Symptoms of an attack can include:

• head pain,
• problems with your sight such as seeing flashing lights,
• being very sensitive to light, sounds and smells,
• fatigue,
• feeling sick and being sick.

Different people get different symptoms. When you have a migraine attack, you may not be able to function normally.

Migraine attacks usually last for between four hours and three days. Some symptoms may start about 24 hours before you get head pain, and end about 24 hours after you stop having head pain. Most people don’t have any symptoms in between migraine attacks.

The UK has been living with the COVID-19 pandemic for almost two years and in this time much has been learned about this new virus. For many the effects of the virus are enduring – a collection of symptoms now known as Long COVID.

Long COVID is used to describe signs and symptoms that last for longer than 4 weeks after getting COVID-19. There are two stages to what is commonly known as Long COVID:

1. Ongoing symptomatic COVID-19 – symptoms that last 4-12 weeks
2. Post-COVID-19 syndrome – symptoms that last for more than 12 weeks and can’t be explained by another diagnosis

Long COVID can affect your whole body, and your symptoms can change and come and go over time. If you think you might have Long COVID, the first thing you should do is speak to your GP. They will investigate your symptoms and first try to find out if there are any other possible causes, to see if there’s anything that needs urgent action.

Reported symptoms of Long COVID often include ongoing fatigue and weakness, joint and muscle pains as well as ‘brain fog’. Many individuals report that their ability to taste and smell things is impaired too.

How Care first can support

It can be emotionally difficult to cope with any illness, and this is particularly so with COVID and Long COVID as these are illnesses which we know relatively little about given their recent appearance. As such, the uncertainly surrounding Long COVID may cause people to experience increased levels of anxiety, or possibly symptoms of low mood too. Care first’s counsellors are able to support you if you’ve been affected by COVID or any other concern. Available 24 hours a day, our counsellors can help you to work through the difficult feelings associated with illness and help you to develop strategies to cope when you are experiencing difficult emotions.

For further information on Long COVID, please join our live webinar ‘Understanding Long COVID’ which is being live on Wednesday 8th September at 12:00pm-12:30pm. You can register in advance by following the link below:

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/135790103304361232

We may not know exactly what the future holds – but we can anticipate that things will not necessarily go back to exactly how they were before. Many of us may feel that we had settled in to a ‘new normal’ during lockdown.

We may feel that whilst there are negatives to the situation and obstacles which we may have faced during the pandemic; the lockdown had given many of us the opportunity to reflect on our lives, make positive changes to our wellbeing, make extra effort to connect with loved ones and show acts of kindness within our local communities.

It could now be that as we establish familiar routines that our prioritising of time effectively will become a key skill again. We are all in different situations, so this article may not be for everyone. It may be that you have worked throughout the pandemic and you are now feeling like you have some more time for yourself. Some may now be facing a return to work or to their place of work, So will affect routine such as having to prepare lunch for the week and getting clothes ready for work for example. It may be that you have started going to the gym or for a run at lunch time, but now this may have to change with the return to work. This article looks at some tips to help you establish old routines and prioritising your time effectively.

Healthy Diet & Hydration –

If you have made positive changes to your diet, levels of nutrition and keeping hydrated during the lockdown period, it is important to try and continue this post lockdown and try to incorporate these changes in to your daily routine.

• Plan weekly meals and pre-prepare meals where possible.
• Introduce bulk cooking once or twice a week if you have a busy schedule.
• Invest in a water bottle that tracks your intake throughout the day. The NHS advises we should drink about 1.2 litres (six to eight glasses) of fluid every day to stop us getting dehydrated.
• Stock up on plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables to snack on when you are back ‘on the go’.
• Get the family involved in cooking or food preparation if this is something you have enjoyed doing together during lockdown.

Exercise –

With social interaction and our everyday movements being restricted during the COVID-19 pandemic; many individuals introduced more exercise in to their routines from home. Whilst it may not be possible to exercise as much or as often as you have been during lockdown, try and work this into your daily or weekly routine where possible –

• Consider joining a gym or health club with flexible hours for you to attend around your schedule.
• Set your alarm an hour earlier in the morning where possible to go out for a walk or do an online fitness class.
• Taking up a new sport where people meet regularly to train together.
• Access short online workouts – these are available from 5 – 15 minute sessions which might be easier to work in to a busy schedule.
• Walk or cycle to work where possible.
• If you find that exercise can’t be worked into your working week easily after lockdown, consider setting some time aside at the weekend and make it something fun that you enjoy doing – you could even get the family involved too!

Family Time –

For many of us, the lockdown had meant having a lot of extra time spent together as a family in the same household. Whilst some may have found this challenging at times, you may have also found this extra time spent as a family unit valuable and would like to incorporate more of this into your usual routines –

• Set aside 30 minutes or an hour in the evening for quality time with young children – they too will have been used to having a lot of extra time with you, which you and they may miss after lockdown.
• Work a family fun night into your routine once a week or every couple of weeks; e.g. game night, movie night, quiz night etc.
• Try and eat your evening meals together – this gives you all the opportunity to talk about your best and worst parts of your day.
• Ask each other what you have all liked about having extra time together as a family and draw from some of these positives to incorporate into your new routines after lockdown.

Communication –

During the pandemic you may have had the opportunity to reflect on the way you communicate with others now vs before COVID-19. Perhaps you have found new ways of communicating that you would like to incorporate into your new routine after lockdown –

• More effective communication at work amongst teams via regular or daily video calls.
• Delivering Webinars or Video Conferencing
• Communicating more over the telephone or using video calls rather than being reliant on messaging or emails.
• Making more effort to connect with family and friends – this doesn’t have to stop once the lockdown is lifted; you may still choose to keep family quiz nights or group video calls going with friends to keep connected with each other, you may decide to make these more infrequent e.g. once a month instead of weekly.

Self-Care –

Lockdown may have allowed you to have more time to focus on yourself and to consider what matters most to you, ensure to incorporate these positives into your new routines post-lockdown. Still make time for “you”, whether that be a new hobby you have taken up, a healthy diet and exercise or just a bit of relaxation – this will all help to improve your overall wellbeing.

Prioritising time effectively?

It might feel difficult or overwhelming to try and think about how to incorporate many of these factors into our ‘old normal’, many of us may have hectic lives and busy routines usually, and to add more to it might feel unrealistic. It is important to recognise that these have not been ‘normal’ circumstances and during lockdown many of us have had extra time on our hands; time that has allowed us to introduce new things into our lives, time to reflect and have quality time with our families at home.

Realistically, we are not going to be able to ‘do it all’, but try to consider what the key positives are that you’ll be taking from your time spent in lockdown and what is most important for you. Write down what a ‘normal’ week looked like for you before lockdown and look at where there may be gaps, or things you used to do that you would now like to replace with something that is more meaningful to you now. And remember – be realistic – you don’t have to work everything in to every day or week in the way you are able to now, but even if you are able to incorporate things on a monthly basis you may feel more positive for doing so.

Here are some tips to “make time” for yourself:

• Focus your priorities to create time – Look at what your priorities are. Be very disciplined to cut them down to help you focus. Create a list and have small goals to help you achieve your priorities.
• Great planning “creates” time – Planning your time is really important. Otherwise you may have so much going on that you just run out of time. Use a diary or some sort of system to help you plan your time.
• Keep time “in reserve” for unforeseen events – Sometimes the unexpected “steals” time from us, however, there is no point in worrying about it. You may need to take time out to look after a loved one or new baby, or to manage an emergency project at work. Life is a marathon and you’ll be able to recoup quality time later.

For more tips please visit the Care first Lifestyle site via the below link (Username and Password are available from your HR/People team if you do not have them to hand)

https://carefirst-lifestyle.co.uk/extranet/at-work/working-effectively/time-management

How can Care first help?

If you feel you may need some emotional or practical support, you can contact Care first on the Freephone number. Care first is a leading provider of confidential, professional counselling, information and advice services. Whilst our BACP accredited Counsellors are available 24/7 to provide support with emotional issues, our expertly trained Information Specialists are available 8am-8pm Monday-Friday to provide advice on any practical issues that may be causing you a stress or worry and help you feel more in control of a situation.

All employees are eligible to use Care first, our services include; telephone counselling, information services and online support. Call Care first on the Freephone number provided by your organisation and you can speak to a professional in confidence.

If you would like to view the Webinar on ‘Establishing Familiar Routines’ this is being delivered live on Tuesday 7 th September at 12pm, please use the below link to register for this session –

https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/7483941760449215500

If you are unable to join the webinar live, a recording of the session can be accessed using the same link above after the webinar has taken place.

As the COVID-19 situation is progressing and the Government guidance continues to change, individuals may be feeling anxious. Mental Health support during times like these are paramount, which is why Care first have worked tirelessly to ensure our services remain available 24/7 throughout the pandemic to provide emotional and practical support and ensure we have every aspect of your overall wellbeing covered. Where clinically appropriate Care first are continuing to offer structured counselling through phone and virtual software. At Care first the health and safety of both you the employee and our counselling team are absolutely paramount, any changes to our structured counselling process will be made in line with government guidance.

These services include:

Counselling support

Our team of professionally trained, qualified and BACP Accredited Counsellors are available 24/7 to offer support for personal or workplace related issues. As well as the headline issues surrounding mental health, our Care first counsellors are also trained in dealing with both work and home grievances, bullying & harassment issues, domestic violence, relationships at both home and at work and much more. No matter how big or small the problem may be, our counsellors are here for you to provide you with unbiased support away from the situation. Everyone has very individual needs for support, Care first provides short term focussed counselling, so the Care first Counsellor will assess your circumstances when you call to establish what the most appropriate form of support will be for  you. It might be that you just need a brief conversation with the Counsellor that day, or you may benefit from a few more sessions.

Information Specialists

As control, or the lack of it, can be an influencing factor on the impact of stress. Many individuals identify stress as emotional, however, a lack of control around practical issues can be just as impactful. We have expert advisors that have been trained by Citizens Advice who can provide you with comprehensive answers and assistance on a wide range of practical issues which can affect our daily life, these include but are not limited to; redundancy, advice on funerals and probate, legal information, housing and tenancy issues, childcare, eldercare, health, consumer issues, employment, travel and education. Our Information Specialists are also money trained experts and can provide support with a variety of financial queries such as help with budgeting finances and advice with benefits. You can speak with one of our Information Specialists confidentially Monday-Friday between 8am-8pm.

Management Support

If you are a manager, have leadership responsibilities, or look after a team within your organisation, it is as important as ever that your colleagues are made aware of the range of support available from Care first. As well as supporting you to signpost your colleagues to the Care first service effectively to maintain your managerial boundaries, Care first can also provide you with support within your role as a manager. Care first Counsellors are all management trained and can provide support with issues such as if the organisation is going through a period of redundancy, managing change and difficult conversations, workplace performance, remote working, absence management and disciplinary.

Care first Lifestyle

Through the Care first lifestyle site you can access a wide range of supportive information, read helpful articles published by our team, view Webinars covering a variety of well-being topics and even speak with a Care first Counsellor in real-time via our online counselling facility. You can log into your account by visiting www.carefirstlifestyle. co.uk and logging in using your organisation’s unique log in details. If you are unsure what these details are then please contact your line manager or HR department. The Care first Lifestyle website is great place to go to learn more about Care first and the different areas that we can support in.

How all of these above services link together

As you can see from the above table, all the services that we offer complement each other to ultimately encompass an individual’s overall mental and physical wellbeing, which enables individuals to access professional and clinically proven support.

Our counselling support is available 24/7 to help individuals with any emotional issues that they may have. Our Information Specialists can help individuals with practical information and advice. This practical support is so important because if an individual is concerned about a practical issue, then this can cause detrimental effects to their emotional wellbeing. By getting some support from an Information Specialist this will provide the individual with some clarity on that particular issue, which may help them to feel more in control of a situation and relieve some anxiety.

The Care first Lifestyle site can help individuals who are concerned about an issue. The individual may not know where to start and they can have a look at the resources on our Lifestyle website which may be enough to help them. The Lifestyle website is a great starting place to learn about the types of issues that Care first can support with. The individual can also access our online counselling tool through the Lifestyle website which is an alternative way to access support from a counsellor. By an individual looking through all the resources on our Lifestyle website this can help them to get answers about an issue they may be having. Again by getting some clarity on their issue this may have a positive effect on their mental wellbeing.

If you would like to learn more about ‘How Care first can support you’ then please join our webinar on Monday 6th September at 12pm using the details below –

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2303287061912643340

If you are unable to join the webinar live, a recording of the session can be accessed using the same link above after the webinar has taken place.

If you wish to contact the Care first telephone counselling and information line then please don’t hesitate to call the Freephone number provided by your organisation and you can speak to a professional in confidence.

With summertime coming to an end, this article looks at how we can all prepare for the winter months. Adverse weather can have a negative impact on our mental and physical wellbeing. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a form of depression that people experience at particular times of the year, most commonly during winter.

Tips to look after your mental wellbeing through the winter

• Try to make the most of any natural light – Getting out in the sun each day, for 10 or 15 minutes has been recommended by NHS as a means of obtaining sufficient levels of Vitamin D.
• Try to avoid stress where possible – Some people find the winter more stressful than other times of the year. If you are one of the people that find the winter more stressful then it is important to try and prepare for the winter by making it as stress free as possible. You can do this by planning stressful events and activities for other times of the year if possible. Make the most of the times where you are feeling well by preparing for the winter such as buying Christmas presents for example. You could also learn a relaxation technique to unwind.
• Exercise – Physical activity can be a good way of lifting your mood and increasing your energy levels. You do not have to do anything too strenuous but any exercise such as a gentle walk, housework or gardening for example can help.
• Staying Connected – Sometimes we may not feel like talking to others as much during the winter months but it is vital that we stay connected as this can have positive effects on our mental wellbeing. Talking about things you may be worried about can really help.
• A Healthy Diet – It is important to keep a well-balanced healthy diet. During the winter months we rely on getting our vitamin D from food sources (including fortified foods) and supplements more so than from sunlight.

What managers and team leaders need to consider?

• There may be increased absence due to illness in the winter
• You may need to plan for absence/issues employees may have due their dependants/children having flu symptoms
• What actions can you take to improve staff morale and boost resilience as this will be important as we enter the winter period

How can Care first help?

If you feel you may need some emotional or practical support, you can contact Care first. Care first is a leading provider of confidential, professional counselling, information and advice services. Whilst our BACP accredited counsellors are available 24/7 to provide support for emotional issues, our expertly trained Telephone Information Specialists are available 8am-8pm Monday-Friday to provide advice on any practical issues that may be causing you a stress or worry and help you feel more in control of a situation. All employees are eligible to use Care first, our services include; telephone counselling, information services and online support.

Please see the below links for more information

https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/keep-warm-keep-well/

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/seasonal-advice/10-things-you-should-donow-to-prepare-for-winter

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/northern-ireland/information-advice/health-wellbeing/mindbody/preparing-for-winter/#

If you would like to learn more about “Preparing for the winter” Then please join our webinar on Friday 3 rd September at 12pm using the details below –

https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/1923438779728030220

If you are unable to join the webinar live, a recording of the session can be accessed using the same link above after the webinar has taken place. If you wish to contact the Care first telephone counselling and information line then please don’t hesitate to call the Freephone number provided by your organisation and you can speak to a professional in confidence.

After approximately 17 months of the UK battling a spread of the Coronavirus, it seems as though normality may be just around the corner. The nation has so far succumb to a number of national and local lockdowns, as well as continually changing restrictions and guidance from the government. This uncertain time is likely to cause stress and anxiety across the nation, whilst we wait for our next instruction. Therefore, at Care first we want to do what we can to help reduce stress and bring about clarity where we can. The purpose of this article and the webinar that will support it, is to provide a summary of the UK Government’s current guidelines surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic.

The general advice for all

Coronavirus remains a serious health risk to all. It is important to do what you can to protect yourself and others. To help limit the spread of the virus, the UK government have set a number of tips to act as a general guideline for the nation:

1. Meet outside, or open windows and doors for indoor visitors.
2. If you think you have symptoms, stay at home and take a PCR test.
3. Wear face coverings in crowded places and on public transport.
4. Check in to venues when you go out.
5. Wash your hands with soap regularly, for at least 20 seconds.
6. Get vaccinated.
7. If you’ve been fully vaccinated in the UK, US or most of Europe you do not need to quarantine or take a day 8 test when returning from amber list countries.
8. 16 or 17 year olds can now get their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.
9. If you’re fully vaccinated or under 18, you no longer need to self-isolate after close contact with someone who has COVID-19. If you have symptoms, you should still isolate and take a PCR test.

How do the guidelines change across the nation?

The advice above is general and can be applied to the entirety of the United Kingdom, however each country has taken its own approach to the pandemic and introduced different restrictions throughout. Please see a breakdown of the restrictions below.

England

• Restrictions were lifted on the 19th of July 2021.
• The use of the NHS COVID Pass is being introduced as a requirement for entry to venues and events where people will be in close proximity.

Northern Ireland

• Current regulations require a minimum of one metre social distancing in retail and shopping centres, indoor hospitality settings and indoor visitor attractions.
• You can now meet outside in a private garden, however indoors you can only have a maximum of 3 households.
• Masks are still mandatory.
• You should continue to work from home where possible.
• Funerals and weddings are permitted, but must comply with the guidelines.

Scotland

• Restrictions were lifted on the 9th of August 2021.

Wales

• Restrictions were lifted on the 7th of August 2021.
• Masks remain a legal requirement to be worn indoors, except for in hospitality venues.

What can you do to stay safe and reduce stress?

The gradual relaxation of the Covid-19 restrictions across the UK has been greeted with a mixture of excitement and fear, as coronavirus still remains a threat to all. However, there are things you can do to feel safe and at ease.

Firstly, make sure to test for the virus regularly to keep yourself and loved ones safe. Rapid lateral flow test kits are available for free from pharmacies across the UK and can be stored and used at home. This is a quick and convenient way for you to test yourself if you feel concerned. Secondly, follow the guidelines as best as you can that have been set by the government and any healthcare professionals.

Lastly, be sure to use the Care first Freephone line for in the moment support from a counsellor to help with any stress. No issue is too big or too small and the line is open 24/7, every day of the year. You can find out the Freephone line telephone number from the HR team at your organisation.

More information

If you would like to hear more about this topic, please join our live Webinar on ‘Covid-19: Guidance support’ on Thursday 2nd September at 12:00pm-12:30pm. To register, please use the following link

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/74451647928753678

If you are unable to join the webinar live, a recording of the session can be accessed using the same link above after the webinar has taken place.

If you feel you may need some support, you can contact Care first. Care first is a leading provider of confidential, professional counselling, information and advice services.

All employees are eligible to use Care first, our services include; telephone counselling, information services and online support. Call Care first on the Freephone number provided by your organisation and you can speak to a professional in confidence.

There has been no area of the World that has been unaffected by the Pandemic. Workers have worked from home as their new norm, people have been furloughed and many have lost their jobs altogether. Health workers have faced many challenges and difficulties in terms of nursing COVID-19 patients, to the wearing of full PPE, to being isolated from their own families and much, much more.

For those living with poor mental health or living with a diagnosed mental illness, many have experienced times of isolation, loneliness and despair often struggling to manage in this “new World”.

The economic consequences of the pandemic are already being felt, with many organisations having to let their staff go and in many cases, have lost their business completely.

Given our past experiences of global emergencies we can expect the need for mental health provision to expand. Sadly, after many years of underfunding for Mental Health services that are accessible to all, the current provisions are stretched to breaking point despite the urgent and growing need for such services.

We all deserve to feel safe and supported when talking about our mental health. However, mental health stigma leaves people feeling isolated and ashamed. People feel that they will be treated differently if they are known to be living with a mental illness and, as a result, many keep themselves to themselves because of the fear and at worst, this fear often prevents people getting support, finding employment or having open conversations. One person in every four people will be affected by a mental disorder at some stage of their lives and this is only on reported and diagnosed cases which means, the actual numbers could be so much higher.

It can be beneficial to help understand the term “mental health” to consider the following questions:

• What is mental health?
• What are “mental health problems?”
• What is good mental health?

It is important to take care of ourselves and keep both our bodies and are minds well and healthy and be able to function well especially during all the concerns surrounding the Pandemic.

Making simple changes can help you manage more effectively, but like anything else, we need to practice so think of some simple steps which would help and support your mental health, we have outlined some below to consider –

• Talk about your feelings
• Keep active
• Eat well
• Drink sensibly
• Keep in touch
• Ask for help
• Take a break
• Do something you’re good at
• Accept who you are
• Care for others

How many of the things in the list do you do? Remember that it is good to talk about our mental health. If you feel you may need some support, you can contact Care first. Care first is a leading provider of confidential, professional counselling, information and advice services. All employees are eligible to use Care first, our services include; telephone counselling, information services and online support. Call Care first on the Freephone number provided by your organisation and you can speak to a professional in confidence.

If you would like to watch the Webinar on ‘Mental Health Awareness’ this is being delivered live on Wednesday 1st September at 12pm, please use the below link to register for this session-

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5504227094001187856

If you are unable to join the webinar live, a recording of the session can be accessed using the same link above after the webinar has taken place.

As the COVID-19 situation is progressing and the Government guidance continues to change, individuals may be feeling anxious. Mental Health support during times like these are paramount, which is why Care first have worked tirelessly to ensure our services remain available 24/7 throughout the pandemic to provide emotional and practical support and ensure we have every aspect of your overall wellbeing covered. Where clinically appropriate Care first are continuing to offer structured counselling through phone and virtual software. At Care first the health and safety of both you the employee and our counselling team are absolutely paramount, any changes to our structured counselling process will be made in line with government guidance.

These services include:

Counselling support

Our team of professionally trained, qualified and BACP Accredited Counsellors are available 24/7 to offer support for personal or workplace related issues. As well as the headline issues surrounding mental health, our Care first counsellors are also trained in dealing with both work and home grievances, bullying & harassment issues, domestic violence, relationships at both home and at work and much more. No matter how big or small the problem may be, our counsellors are here for you to provide you with unbiased support away from the situation. Everyone has very individual needs for support, Care first provides short term focussed counselling, so the Care first Counsellor will assess your circumstances when you call to establish what the most appropriate form of support will be for  you. It might be that you just need a brief conversation with the Counsellor that day, or you may benefit from a few more sessions.

Information Specialists

As control, or the lack of it, can be an influencing factor on the impact of stress. Many individuals identify stress as emotional, however, a lack of control around practical issues can be just as impactful. We have expert advisors that have been trained by Citizens Advice who can provide you with comprehensive answers and assistance on a wide range of practical issues which can affect our daily life, these include but are not limited to; redundancy, advice on funerals and probate, legal information, housing and tenancy issues, childcare, eldercare, health, consumer issues, employment, travel and education. Our Information Specialists are also money trained experts and can provide support with a variety of financial queries such as help with budgeting finances and advice with benefits. You can speak with one of our Information Specialists confidentially Monday-Friday between 8am-8pm.

Management Support

If you are a manager, have leadership responsibilities, or look after a team within your organisation, it is as important as ever that your colleagues are made aware of the range of support available from Care first. As well as supporting you to signpost your colleagues to the Care first service effectively to maintain your managerial boundaries, Care first can also provide you with support within your role as a manager. Care first Counsellors are all management trained and can provide support with issues such as if the organisation is going through a period of redundancy, managing change and difficult conversations, workplace performance, remote working, absence management and disciplinary.

Care first Lifestyle

Through the Care first lifestyle site you can access a wide range of supportive information, read helpful articles published by our team, view Webinars covering a variety of well-being topics and even speak with a Care first Counsellor in real-time via our online counselling facility. You can log into your account by visiting www.carefirstlifestyle. co.uk and logging in using your organisation’s unique log in details. If you are unsure what these details are then please contact your line manager or HR department. The Care first Lifestyle website is great place to go to learn more about Care first and the different areas that we can support in.

How all of these above services link together

As you can see from the above table, all the services that we offer complement each other to ultimately encompass an individual’s overall mental and physical wellbeing, which enables individuals to access professional and clinically proven support.

Our counselling support is available 24/7 to help individuals with any emotional issues that they may have. Our Information Specialists can help individuals with practical information and advice. This practical support is so important because if an individual is concerned about a practical issue, then this can cause detrimental effects to their emotional wellbeing. By getting some support from an Information Specialist this will provide the individual with some clarity on that particular issue, which may help them to feel more in control of a situation and relieve some anxiety.

The Care first Lifestyle site can help individuals who are concerned about an issue. The individual may not know where to start and they can have a look at the resources on our Lifestyle website which may be enough to help them. The Lifestyle website is a great starting place to learn about the types of issues that Care first can support with. The individual can also access our online counselling tool through the Lifestyle website which is an alternative way to access support from a counsellor. By an individual looking through all the resources on our Lifestyle website this can help them to get answers about an issue they may be having. Again by getting some clarity on their issue this may have a positive effect on their mental wellbeing.

If you would like to learn more about ‘How Care first can support you’ then please join our webinar on Tuesday 31st August 2021 at 12pm using the details below –

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6247623398193939470

If you are unable to join the webinar live, a recording of the session can be accessed using the same link above after the webinar has taken place.

If you wish to contact the Care first telephone counselling and information line then please don’t hesitate to call the Freephone number provided by your organisation and you can speak to a professional in confidence.

After 18 months of imposed lockdowns across the UK, our social lives restricted, our holidays restricted, most things that we enjoyed doing were restricted. After being locked in our homes for months on end, doing puzzles, watching TV and watching the days go by have we become more enthused to ‘take life by the horns’ per se? Could it be that we have more of a zest to do things now that maybe we wouldn’t have done before all of this? Has the pandemic lockdowns made us more spontaneous or has it done the opposite?

Are people more spontaneous?

In short, yes they are. But not everyone is in the same boat as the past 18 months has affected different people differently. After having things that we took for granted taken away, some people are now taking the view that they should do as many things as possible when they can. In a survey of 2000 adults, 22% of them said they wanted to inject a new sense of adventure into their lives as things return to normal.

Research is suggesting more people are not only being more spontaneous with what they do in life, but also more spontaneous with their social plans with an increase of people making social plans last minute instead of staying in.

Not everyone is feeling this new spontaneity

As much as coming out of the pandemic with a new found spontaneity may sounds great, it has not had the same effect for everyone. For many, it is now quite the opposite. There is more anxiety around social events, going out for dinner, to the cinema and so on. This anxiety has meant that others have actually found it harder to live life like they used to. People are tired, stressed and lonely as a result of the 18 months of isolation, uncertainty and fear. These things for those people will not pass overnight. For those who feel this way, consider the below to help reduce this feeling and allow you to return to some form of normality:

• Take things one step at a time
• Stay connected with friends and loved ones
• Plan things that you enjoy
• Try to bring back old routines
• Think about what you value and what’s important
• Accept that things can take time

In summary

Whether you have a new found zest to be spontaneous, or whether you are struggling to return to a form of normality, it is important to accept and understand that everyone will be in different places, have been affected differently and that there is no right or wrong way of doing things.

As restrictions ease and things begin opening up again there is still a slight air of uncertainty around what the future may hold, but it is important that you feel good with your choices

More information

If you would like to hear more about this topics please join our live Webinar on ‘Has lockdown made you more spontaneous?’ on Friday 27th August at 12:00pm-12:30pm To register please use the following link –

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7421304781709912334

If you are unable to join the webinar live, a recording of the session can be accessed using the same link above after the webinar has taken place.

If you feel you may need some support, you can contact Care first. Care first is a leading provider of confidential, professional counselling, information and advice services. All employees are eligible to use Care first, our services include; telephone counselling, information services and online support. Call Care first on the Freephone number provided by your organisation and you can speak to a professional in confidence.

This is an uncertain time for many as the restrictions across the UK are eased and changed. After a very long challenging and unsettled 17 month families are keen to return to some sort of normality and part of this includes short breaks and holidays. The move to allow people who have had both vaccine take their children away on summer holidays would help boost the struggling tourism industry amid the coronavirus pandemic.

CDC (Centres for Diseases Control and Prevention) recommends delaying travel until you are able to get fully vaccinated. Therefore parents who have had both their jabs will be able to take unvaccinated children on holiday this summer. However there are some concerns around this. Will it be safe and where can we go are very common questions? The CDC offer the following tips and advice caution even though restrictions have eased

• “Wear a mask over your nose and mouth in public. Wearing a mask over your nose and mouth is required on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States and while indoors at U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations. Travelers are not required to wear a mask in outdoor areas of a conveyance (like on open deck areas of a ferry or the uncovered top deck of a bus).
• Avoid crowds and stay at least 6 feet/2 meters (about 2 arm lengths) from anyone who is not traveling with you.
• Wash hands often or use hand sanitizer (with at least 60%) alcohol.

Transportation

During car travel, making stops along the way for fuel food, or bathroom breaks can put you and your traveling companions in close contact with other people and frequently touched surfaces. If traveling in a larger vehicle you may have to stop less often for food or bathroom breaks, but you could still be in close contact with others while staying at camping sites overnight and while getting fuel and supplies.

Traveling on buses and trains for any length of time can involve sitting or standing within 6 feet/2 meters of others, which may increase your risk of getting COVID-19. If you choose to travel by bus or train, learn what you can do to protect yourself on public transportation.

Air travel requires spending time in security lines and airport terminals, which can bring you in close contact with other people and frequently touched surfaces. Most viruses and other germs do not spread easily on flights because of how air circulates and is filtered on airplanes. However, keeping your distance is difficult on crowded flights, and sitting within 6 feet/2 meters of others, sometimes for hours, may make you more likely to get COVID-19.

Below are some tips from the CDC:

Safer

• Short road trips with members of your household or fully vaccinated people with few stops along the way
• If you must fly, try to take flights with the fewest stops or layovers

Less Safe

• Longer trips by car or RV with many stops along the way
• Trips by car or RV with people who are not vaccinated or not from your household
• Flights with stopovers

Avoid

• Long-distance train or bus trips
• Traveling on a cruise ship or river boat

Accommodations

Check your accommodations’ COVID-19 prevention practices before you go.

Safer

• Staying in a house (for example, a holiday rental) with people from your household or fully vaccinated people
• Visiting a fully vaccinated family member’s or friend’s home

Less Safe

• Hotels or multi-unit guest lodgings with common areas (e.g., bed and breakfasts)
• Visiting an unvaccinated family member’s or friend’s home
• Renting or staying in a house (for example, a holiday rental) with people that are not vaccinated or not in your household

Avoid

• Sharing spaces with many people or sharing bathroom facilities (for example, a dormitory-style hostel)

Food

• Before dining at a restaurant, check the restaurant’s COVID-19 prevention practices.

Safer

• Bringing your own food and drinks.
• Getting takeout.
• Using drive-thru, delivery, and curbside pick-up options and wearing a mask when interacting with restaurant employees.

Less Safe

• Eating outside at a restaurant where social distancing is possible and servers and other staff wear masks.
• Eating inside at a restaurant that is well ventilated, where social distancing is possible, servers and other restaurant staff wear masks, and diners wear masks when not actively eating or drinking.

Avoid

• Eating inside restaurants that are poorly ventilated, where social distancing is not possible, servers and staff do not wear masks, and diners do not wear masks when not actively eating or drinking.
• Self-service options that require extensive touching of surfaces, such as buffets.”

(Centres for Diseases Control and Prevention)

Do children need to be vaccinated or have a PCR test to travel? Holiday entry requirements for UK under-18s

Many Britons are desperate to go on holiday and as the rules keep changing it can be hard to keep track of what’s required before heading abroad.

During the summer break many families will be interested to find out if their children require tests or the vaccine to travel to their favourite holiday destinations.

The vaccine is only available to over-18s, meaning travel with children could get complicated. However, by following the guidelines from the Government website wherever you are planning to go will give you the information you need. Do remember within the UK England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland will all having different regulations

The information from the various websites will help as will the guidance from the CDC

How can Care first help?

If you feel you may need some emotional or practical support, you can contact Care first on the Freephone number. Care first is a leading provider of confidential, professional counselling, information and advice services. Whilst our BACP accredited Counsellors are available 24/7 to provide support with emotional issues, our expertly trained Information Specialists are available 8am-8pm Monday-Friday to provide advice on any practical issues that may be causing you a stress or worry and help you feel more in control of a situation.

All employees are eligible to use Care first, our services include; telephone counselling, information services and online support. Call Care first on the Freephone number provided by your organisation and you can speak to a professional in confidence.

If you would like to view the Webinar on ‘Travelling with unvaccinated children’ this is being delivered live on Thursday 26th August at 12pm, please use the below link to register for this session –

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1824965418681487374

If you are unable to join the webinar live, a recording of the session can be accessed using the same link above after the webinar has taken place.