How did you feel last Saturday night when the Prime Minister announced the Second National Lockdown?\u00a0 I was surprised by just how annoyed and dispirited I felt.\u00a0 My life is structured well to deal with the challenges the coronavirus crisis represents but I know that many people face far greater pressures and adverse factors. \u00a0I am sure that the month long lockdown ahead is hanging over many people and weighing them down.<\/p>\n
How can you best approach the new lockdown?\u00a0 Pretty much in the same way as the last: try and keep some structure to your day; ensure that you don\u2019t let work invade your personal space and time; keep up communications with friends and family as best you can; keep getting outside in the fresh air and sunshine; keep being active and exercising; don\u2019t turn to self-medication by increasing the food, nicotine or alcohol intake; be kind to yourself and others in terms of expectations; don\u2019t fret over what you can\u2019t control.\u00a0 Try reframing any despondent thoughts you might have.\u00a0 Instead of thinking \u2018It\u2019s a whole, long month\u2019, try \u2018It\u2019s only for one month\u2019.<\/p>\n
The Government is encouraging us to work from home as much as possible.\u00a0 Many of us have remained working that way since the first lockdown started.\u00a0 Working from home gives us flexibility.\u00a0 There are doctors and health experts who are specifically encouraging us to take a longer lunch break so we can get out for fresh air and exercise in the middle of the day.\u00a0 With the shorter days that late autumn brings, it\u2019s more difficult to go out after dark and feel safe.\u00a0 That is why the longer lunch break is such a good idea throughout this second lockdown.\u00a0 It might not be possible every day, due to either work commitments or the weather, but it\u2019s still possible to make it a priority, whenever possible.\u00a0 Sunshine gives us that all important vitamin D;<\/a> exercise is good for physical and mental health; a break in the working day<\/a> is researched to increase creativity and productivity; it will help against symptoms associated with Seasonal Affective Disorder<\/a>.\u00a0 These are all excellent reasons to work flexibly and get out and exercise in the middle of the day.\u00a0 It doesn\u2019t have to be highly strenuous; a good walk will do.\u00a0 It\u2019s surprising how quickly you build up your stamina.<\/p>\n There is research published by the Mental Health Foundation (MHF) which found that most people (64% of those researched) are coping well with the coronavirus crisis, including the need to lockdown.\u00a0 You can read the full detail in the link below; it is a very interesting report.\u00a0\u00a0 It does, however, highlight that people with a pre-existing mental health problem have been less likely to cope well the demands of the coronavirus crisis.<\/p>\n If you are struggling from a mental health perspective, remember all the support put in place for staff by the University.\u00a0 This link<\/a> will take you to the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP); details to log on are USERNAME: uokent |PASSWORD: university; the Freephone number for the service is 0808 168 2143<\/strong>.\u00a0 If your home issues are impacting on your ability to work then discuss with your manager or contact HR<\/a> or OH<\/a>.\u00a0 Corporate Comms publish the EAP\u2019s webinar schedules each week.\u00a0 All of these, for current and previous weeks, can be found on the University\u2019s Staff Health and Wellbeing website<\/a>; this also has physical and mental health information including past blog posts.<\/p>\n LINKS:<\/p>\n \u2018Resilience across the UK during the coronavirus pandemic\u2019<\/a>: assessment of the research, \u2018Coronavirus: mental health in the pandemic,\u2019, led by the MHF in collaboration with University of Cambridge, Swansea University, the University of Strathclyde and Queen\u2019s University Belfast<\/p>\n \u2018How to look after your mental health during the coronavirus outbreak\u2019<\/a> on MHF website<\/p>\n \u2018Facing a winter during the coronavirus pandemic\u2019<\/a> on MHF website<\/p>\n \u2018UK employers told to allow for ‘hugely beneficial’ long lunch break to cope with lockdown\u2019<\/a>; by Aurora Bosotti on express.co.uk<\/p>\n \u20187 ways to support your mental health during lockdown\u2019<\/a> on mentalmovement.co.uk<\/p>\n \u2018\u201dThis too shall pass\u201d: Mental health tips for lockdown two\u2019<\/a>; on shropshirestar.com<\/p>\n \u2018Lockdown in the dark brings so many new fears and challenges\u2019<\/a>; by Megan Murray on stylist.co.uk<\/p>\n