Health and Wellbeing News

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 12th July 2021 at 1pm using the details below –

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/9035285595600173836

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.

At times like this, people are continuously looking for ways to boot their immune system,
there are a number of things you can do to benefit your health.

The best way to boost your immune system is to choose to adopt a healthy lifestyle. If you follow general good health guidelines that is without a doubt the best single step you can take towards keeping up your immunity naturally.

The body is built up of a number of different systems e.g. respiratory system, digestive system etc. and one of those systems is your immune system. Just like the rest of your body it functions at peak when you look after it as best as you can. You can do this by using basic health strategies on a daily basis such as:

• Not smoking.
• Eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables. (A balanced diet) restrict fat and sugar intake.
• Exercising regularly.
• Maintaining a healthy weight.
• If you drink alcohol, drinking only in moderation.
• Getting a good night’s sleep.
• Take steps to avoid infection, such as washing your hands frequently and cooking meats thoroughly. (Even more important under the circumstances we are currently in).
• Get regular health checks.
• And try to minimise stress where you can.

The best part about adopting the above is it will boost every system in your body and not just your immune system.

Improving your immune system with herbs and supplements

In today’s world you can walk into almost any shop or browsing online and be greeted with numerous different types of supplements and health miracles. We are bombarded on a daily basis on what we should and shouldn’t be taking to keep us healthy. This is inclusive of supplements/herbs to boost our immune system, they can claim to boost your immune system to stop you getting ill and thus far some have been found to alter some components of immune function, however, there is no evidence to suggest that they actually bolster immunity to the point you are better protected against infection and disease. It is a highly complex matter when talking about enhancing immunity.

However, if you suspect that your diet is not allowing you to gain all of the nutrients needed, perhaps you are on a special diet or you don’t like certain food types then taking a daily multivitamin may bring is health benefits. Always check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking supplements and never take anything that you are unsure about. Remember to follow NHS guidance and for more information you may want to consider reading the information linked here by the NHS: Do I need vitamin supplements?

Myth busters

Having a more active immune system means you will be healthier – Ever heard the saying ‘too much of a good thing is a bad thing?’ The same goes for your immune system. A hyperactive immune system is responsible for allergic reactions to ordinary non-toxic substances.

More than your recommended daily allowance of vitamins and minerals will improve your immune system – As discussed earlier if your body does not need the supplements then there is no evidence that extra would be of benefit to you. However this should always be discussed with a health professional.

Many vaccinations carry health risks – In life there is always an element of risk connected to the things we do, but the risk of a serious reaction to a vaccine is very small in comparison. Please see the NHS pages for more information and guidance on vaccinations.

For further information and some great tools and articles on boosting your healthy lifestyle please visit www.carefirst-lifestyle.co.uk and ask your organisation for you username and password if you are not already registered.

If you would like to view the Webinar on ‘Tips to boost your immunity’ this is being delivered live on Friday 9th July at 12pm, please use the following link to register for this session –

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4631386384147017228

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.

*Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. We cannot be held responsible for any actions you might take as a result of it. Please seek medical advice before making any significant changes to your eating habits or lifestyle.

For so long now people across the UK and the world have had to endure social distancing
measures, lockdowns and isolation. Now restrictions are slowly easing across the UK we are now able to meet with people inside, but with new COVID-19 variants spreading it could be wise to continue to meet people outside where possible.

Meeting outside can come with a range of benefits and reasons why it could still be a good idea. See some considerations below which you may want to consider when you’re planning your next social occasion.

Outdoors is safer

You’ve probably heard it on the television or on the radio but it can be safer to meet outside with people as COVID-19 particles can be blown away. If you are exercising outside and observing social distancing with others, it is also much less likely you will contract COVID-19 when compared to exercising inside where there is no real ventilation.

Touching surfaces inside

Another large part of spreading the virus is where it has landed on a surface from a sneeze, or a cough, or someone else’s touch. Of course when socialising outside the amount of surfaces and things you touch reduces significantly, as well as having the added benefit of the fresh air being able to blow the particles away. However, inside it is a very different story, particles can fall onto surfaces such as tables, cutlery, handles, fabric etc. which someone, including yourself may touch and then contract the virus that way, making socialising inside much more risky than outside.

Other benefits

There is also a huge range of other benefits that being outside can bring to you on a wellbeing level as well as reducing the chance of contracting COVID-19. Some of these include helping to get vitamin D, being outside can help reduce anxiety, it can help you to sleep better at night and can also improve your ability to focus on life tasks.

Care first

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. 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.

More information

If you would like to view the Webinar on ‘COVID-19: Why it is still a good idea to socialise outside’ is being delivered live on Thursday 8th July at 12:00pm, please use the following link to register for this session –

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6283011178738947088

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.

Eating a well-balanced and healthy diet is a vitally important part of your personal wellness. Getting your food from the right sources – in the right proportions – can promote positive energy and help you feel better (and potentially live a longer life!).

This article looks at some tips to get you started, but there are also a variety of resources on the Care first Lifestyle website which you can utilise by using the below link. Please check with your HR/people team if you are not sure of your organisations login details –

https://carefirst-lifestyle.co.uk/extranet/health/nutritiondiet

Some tips to get you started

Stick to a schedule – Try to maintain your normal eating schedule and plan what you will eat and when. It’s easier to stick to healthy choices if you work out what you’re having for each meal in advance. Create a weekly meal planner and make a list of the ingredients you need, with some flexibility for what you may not find at the shops.

Cook from scratch if possible – Plan healthy meals and cook a large batch which you can freeze, maybe chilli con carne, curry, or a Bolognese sauce. Cooking homemade meals means you’re more likely to use healthy ingredients and it will help you to avoid phoning for a take-away or relying on processed ready meals.

Plan your snacks – Avoid processed sugary, salty and high fat snacks, like cakes, crisps and biscuits, especially when you’re working from home. Instead try choosing healthy snacks like sticks of vegetables or pieces of fruit and put them in sealable containers in the fridge.

Stay hydrated – Make sure you drink plenty of fluids (at least six to eight glasses a day). Water, lower fat milk and sugar-free drinks, including tea and coffee, all count.

Eat oily fish – Canned oily fish, such as tuna, salmon, mackerel and sardines, is really handy to have in your cupboard. It has a long shelf life and is rich in omega-3 acids, which are known for their protective functions and help support the immune system.

Eat the rainbow – Eating a rainbow of fruit and veg is a good way to get a variety of vitamins and minerals we need as part of a healthy balanced diet.

Get creative with leftovers – it’s not necessary to cook every meal from scratch. Leftovers can be creatively used to make a brand new healthy dish altogether. Another idea could be to cook a bit extra during one meal and save time by reusing leftover preparations in the next one.

Follow the NHS Eat Well Guidance:

• Eat at least 5 portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables every day
• Base meals on higher fibre starchy foods like potatoes, bread, rice or pasta (choose higher fibre wholegrain varieties where possible)
• Have some dairy or dairy alternatives (such as soya drinks)
• Eat some beans, pulses, fish, eggs, meat and other protein
• Choose unsaturated oils and spreads, and eat them in small amounts
• Eat foods high in fat, salt and sugar less often and in small amounts
• Drink plenty of fluids (at least 6 to 8 glasses a day)

More Information

https://www.bda.uk.com/food-health/food-facts.html
https://www.heartuk.org.uk/healthy-living/introduction#diet
https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/enjoy-food/eating-with-diabetes
https://www.nutrition.org.uk/

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 ‘Introducing Healthy Eating Habits this Summer’ this is being delivered live on Wednesday 7th July at 12pm, please use the below link to register for this session –

https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/5441752842071868431

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.

*Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. We cannot be held responsible for any actions you might take as a result of it. Please seek medical advice before making any significant changes to your eating habits or lifestyle.

Talking therapies can help you work out how to deal with negative thoughts and feelings and make positive changes. They can help people who are feeling distressed by difficult events in their lives as well as people with a mental health problem.

Most of us communicate with the use of language whether it be through word (verbally) or through images or signs. Talking enables us to let people know what we are thinking and feeling.

Language develops gradually from the time we are babies. Sounds are made which are interpreted by parents or carers who learn from these sounds if the baby is tired, angry, happy, sad or angry. Many of us have heard of the tantrums of “the terrible two’s” but this is the age when young children become more aware of what they want and how to get it! We also encourage children to talk by our body language, we smile at them, they smile back, we frown and they look confused, we turn away and they may look anxious or often cry. All of this is normal as we learn to find our voice.

In terms of “talking therapies” we know that –

• They can help you to work out how to deal with negative thoughts and feelings and make positive changes.
• Talking about your thoughts and feelings can help you deal with times when you feel troubled about something. If you turn a worry over and over in your mind, the worry can grow.
• Talking about our difficulties can help you work out what’s bothering you and help you with time and space to explore what you could do about it.
• Talking is an important part of our relationships. It can strengthen ties with people and help stay in good mental health.
• Being listened to can and does help you feel that people care about you and what you have to say.

Talking therapies give people the chance to explore their thoughts and feelings and the effect they have on their behaviour and mood. Describing what is going on in your head and how that makes you feel can help you notice any patterns which it may be helpful to change.

It can help you work out where your negative feelings and ideas come from and why they are there.

Understanding all this can help people make positive changes by thinking or acting differently. Talking therapies can help people to take greater control of their lives

Talking therapies may also be referred to as:

• talking treatments
• counselling
• psychological therapies or treatments
• psychotherapies

The various terms used to describe talking therapies often mean different things to different people.

If you are thinking about a “talking therapy” important to ask about a therapist’s level of training.

What kinds of talking therapy are there?

Different talking therapies are called a confusing mix of names and some therapies have several names.
Don’t let the jargon put you off! Ask questions until you feel happy with the counsellor and the approach they will use. Remember, one size does not fit all!

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommends certain therapies for certain problems, but other therapies might work just as well.

• Cognitive behavioural therapies (CBT)
• Dialectic behaviour therapy (DBT)
• Psychodynamic therapies
• Humanistic therapies
• Other kinds of talking therapy
• Support and information

How do they work?

By looking at how we can react differently to our thoughts and feelings (for example, challenging negative thoughts) and how changing the way we behave can help us feel better (for example trying new activities).

What are they based on?

They are based on scientific methods and are carefully researched before they are used in practice.

More Information

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk

https://www.nice.org.uk/

Care first

Offers short term “solution focussed therapy” this focusses on:

• What are the issues that bring you to Care first right now?
• What options are available to you?
• What outcomes do you which to achieve?

The Care first counsellor will then offer various ways in which they can help and support you and work with you to achieve some of those outcomes

Care first practices a solution focussed way of working, it is does not offer long term therapeutic work.

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 ‘How talking therapy works’ this is being delivered live on Tuesday 6th July at 12pm, please use the below link to register for this session –

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1007335585857827086

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 5th July 2021 at 12pm using the details below –

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/9035285595600173836

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.

COVID-19 has challenged our collective wellbeing for almost 18 months, with our ‘usual’ stresses and anxieties being exacerbated by uncertainties and restrictions brought about by, and indeed as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The summer has softened the blow a little bit over the last few weeks, but as we think back on recent times, it is helpful to keep with you some tips to help remain positive.

Try and find the silver linings Try to find some positivity from the situation.

Are you going out less and saving more money? Able to spend more time with loved ones? Able to spend more time focussing on yourself? As the saying goes, every cloud has a silver lining, you just need to find yours whatever it may be.

Feed yourself positivity

Manage the influences in your life to help feed your positivity. You won’t be able to completely avoid negativity but you can pinpoint sources of it such as TV/Social media and limit the amount of time you spend absorbing it.

Slow yourself down

Whilst the hustle and bustle of life often means we are in a hurry, taking the time to slow down a bit and not rushing gives you the time to calm down and better think things through and find the silver lining, or a more positive approach to things.

Bring positivity to someone else

More often than not you get back what you give out. So being that positive influence in someone’s life will bring more positivity back to you. People feel good for being the one that makes others feel good so bear this in mind.

Start your day as you mean to go on

Getting off to a good start when starting your day drastically helps your mood throughout. Waking up in the morning feeling glum will often result in you feeling that way throughout the day. Getting in to a good habit of starting your day off in a way that puts you in a good mood will change entire days. Get up earlier, make the bed, exercise, do whatever makes you feel productive and fresh.

Look after your general wellbeing

Looking after your general wellbeing often has a positive effect on your state of mind as it reduces stresses and anxieties, it can also make you feel more positive. Making sure you get enough sleep, have a healthy diet and exercising whether that’s mind, body or both will help you feel more positive when dealing with difficult situations over prolonged periods of time.

Speak to friends and family If something is starting to bug you it is best to speak about it with friends and family. This will help release the pressure of the concern surrounding a situation and will possibly help you see the light from another person’s perspective. This will help you deal with issues better and help to maintain a more positive mind set.

Don’t let yourself get too worked up

It can be very easy for things to get blown out of proportion in times of increased stress. This only contributes to your stress more and it becomes a vicious cycle. A lot of the time the issues that we get so worked up about are not as big as we think. Try to avoid letting this happen, keep things in perspective.

Don’t be afraid to seek support

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.

More information

Please join our live Webinar on ‘Positivity and Wellbeing’ on Friday 2nd July at 12pm, please use the following link to register for this session –

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5370083375485849359

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.

Over the last six months one of the most prevalent topics around COVID-19 and seeing an end to the pandemic has been the implementation of the vaccine rollout.

People across the World raise questions; ‘how are they developed so quickly?’, ‘is the testing rigorous enough?’, and ‘what will the long-term effects on humans be?’ Mix that in with the hype from the media and a healthy dose of conspiracy theories and it is enough to trigger fears and anxieties in anyone.

It is important to remain level headed and optimistic around the vaccines. So, whether it is someone saying the testing hasn’t been properly carried out, maybe that there are still too many unknowns, or if it is a newspaper that has reported that someone has had an adverse reaction to the vaccine; it is extremely important to always ensure you are getting your information from a reliable source.

Make sure you read up on the questions you are asking, but always ensure you use reputable sources. Try not to listen to the headlines that may have been twisted or based on someone’s opinion. Weigh up the overall benefits against the risks and see where you personally stand on that.

Tips on coping with fear and anxiety

• Understand your anxieties – write down what it is about the vaccine that you are worried about.
• Arm yourself with trustworthy information – Information and guidance on vaccines is constantly evolving. So it is understandable if you are feeling unsure what is what. Arming yourself with the correct facts will help you feel confident that you know useful information about the vaccines and this can help ease your worries. But if watching or reading the news about coronavirus makes you feel anxious, limit this to once a day. It is important to make sure the information and advice you are reading comes from sources that are up-to-date, trustworthy and evidence-based. Keep up to-date with the latest guidance on Coronavirus at gov.uk
• Look after your wellbeing – Taking care of your physical health can help you to cope with feelings of anxiety and stressful situations when they arise. Try to eat a healthy diet, limit alcohol, exercise regularly and get good-quality sleep. Remember to take some time out to look after yourself. Try a few different things until you find what works for you. You could try reading a book, practise mindfulness, get creative, bake or go outdoors for some exercise. Spending time outside in green, open spaces can have positive effects on both your physical and mental wellbeing.
• Make time for “worries” – If your worry feels overwhelming and takes over your day, put aside time for “worry time” to go through your concerns each day. Write them down or confide in a friend or loved one, or consider calling Care first for some support in the moment.
• Shift your focus – Some people find relaxation, massage, exercise, mindfulness or breathing exercises helpful. They reduce tension and focus our awareness on the present moment.
• Speak to someone you trust – Share your fears and concerns with someone you feel comfortable talking to. The chances are they’re experiencing similar feelings. Sharing how you are both feeling can help you both to feel supported and understood.

If you’re feeling worried or anxious about getting your COVID-19 vaccine, you may find the below tips helpful –

• Find out where your vaccination will be – so you know what to expect. It could be at a vaccination centre, a local health centre, a hospital or at your GP surgery.
• Take someone with you – You can take a carer with you in to your appointment if you need to.
• Arrange something to look forward to afterwards – For example, this could be a nice coffee/meal, a chat with a friend or a film to watch.
• Use relaxation techniques – like focusing on your breathing, grounding techniques or distracting yourself with music or a book.
• Ask what support there is – Your GP should be able to tell you if there’s any flexibility in where you attend your appointment. At the appointment itself, the person giving you the vaccine may be able to use things like numbing cream if you are worried about pain or sensations.
• The NHS has information about the Covid-19 vaccine – This includes guidance on who is a priority for vaccination, how to book your appointment and information about the safety of the vaccine.

For further discussion and some more tips please join us for our ‘Vaccine Anxiety’ webinar on Thursday 1st July at 12pm, please use the below link to register for this session –

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1907382610036594701

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.

Useful information – https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus/

As the COVID-19 situation is progressing and the Government guidance continues to change, individuals may be feeling anxious, tired and fed up. 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.

Whether you are a key worker who has worked throughout the COVID-19 pandemic or you have been working remotely, it is vital that colleagues keep motivation and staff morale as high as possible. This article and accompanying webinar looks at some tips that may help managers with keeping staff motivated.

Tips for keeping staff motivated

1. Be Available – As a manager or team leader it is important to be available to talk to your staff members. No matter how busy you may be, try to schedule in some time where you have availability to speak to your team members. It can be very demotivating and frustrating if a staff member can never speak to a manager for advice or approval.
2. Recognise good work and effort – Complimenting good work or effort costs nothing and can make a big impact on your team members. Employees want to know they are doing their job well and they are appreciated. Sometimes just taking a few moments to thank someone for all their hard work can really help with their motivation.
3. Communication – Regular communication with employees is very important to keep them updated and to check in with them. When communicating with employees it is also key to keep them in the picture with the overall vision of the organisation and any wider news. Also remember to ask their views and feelings, although you may not be able to make changes to the organisations overall strategy based onone employees views, it can help as you have asked and considered their thoughts. It may be that you hear similar views from multiple employees which you can then feedback to the organisation. As a manager you are the link between your team and your organisation.
4. Trust and Flexibility – It is important to have trust within your team. Every individual is having to make changes following the guidance from the government and this guidance may still change again. Give your team the trust and flexibility to make the correct informed decisions from your guidance. Flexibility with working hours and days may be important in keeping everyone motivated and productivity high.
5. Be kind – When we practice kindness either to other people, or towards ourselves we can experience positive mental and physical changes through lowering stress levels and increasing the body’s production of feel-good hormones such as dopamine, oxytocin and serotonin. Whether it’s a smile, or a thank you, acts of kindness and generosity can improve your mental wellbeing and help your team’s motivation levels. Be kind and encourage your team to do the same.

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 ‘Tips for managers to keep staff motivated?” This is being delivered live on Wednesday 30th June at 12pm, please use the below link to register for this session –

https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/6485186078142268944

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.

People across the UK are eagerly awaiting updates on the new Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus and how it will affect our plans to return to some form of normality. It has already started spreading in the UK which has triggered a new wave of anxiety for many people.

Beginning to understand more about the latest COVID-19 variant will help to reduce any anxiety you may be feeling. Below are some of the things we know about it so far.

What is the Delta Variant?

The Delta variant is a mutation of the COVID-19 virus. Mutations of viruses happen all the time so this is not unusual. Virus’ can mutate multiple times a year and become different variations of the same virus and can sometimes be more or less contagious or dangerous.

It is not yet clear whether the Delta variant is more infectious or resistant to vaccines but experts don’t think it is any worse than the variants previously detected in the UK and South Africa,

Will the vaccines still work?

Scientists believe that the vaccines will still be effective against the Delta variant by preventing severe disease and preventing further spread of the virus.

What are the Delta variant symptoms?

Delta variant symptoms are no different to the usual COVID-19 symptoms. Younger people who contract the virus have been reporting feeling as if they have a bit of a cold with symptoms such as:

• runny nose
• headache
• cough
• fever
• loss of smell or taste

How to help ease health anxiety

There are things we can do and some of these tips are quite straightforward to follow

• Avoid sensationalised media outlets – Filling yourself with sensationalised and doomsday like information will not help you deal with the anxiety around COVID-19.
• Wash your hands – Know that you’re doing all you can to protect yourself from catching it. Key facts about the Delta variant & health anxiety
• Stay as active as you can within the restrictions – Maintain a good life balance during lockdowns/social distancing.
• Own your worry but don’t succumb to it – Accept that you are worried, trying to avoid it or suppress it will only make it worse.
• Try not to seek unnecessary medical advice – Try to remain relaxed and monitor the symptoms you have in line with guidance, if your symptoms worsen or you are concerned seek medical advice where needed.
• Self-isolate — but don’t cut yourself off from the world, you need to feel like life is still moving. Being completely cut off will only magnify any health anxiety you may be feeling.

Health Anxiety is very real for many and living with it during the pandemic may be distressing. Care first is there to support you 24/7. 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.

Useful links

• https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-56844925
• https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-57431420
• https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-57467051

More information

If you would like to view the Webinar on ‘Key facts about the Delta variant & health anxiety’ this is being delivered live on Tuesday 29th June at 12:00pm, please use the following link to register for this session –

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5739997569955631120

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