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The importance of routine for your mental health
Routine plays an important part in our physical and mental wellbeing, especially in these uncertain times. The government has advised us to keep a regular routine for the benefit of our mental health.
The government has announced a £5 million grant for leading mental health charities. The fund will help these charities to expand their services to support people struggling with their mental health during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Why is routine important?
It’s surprising how you can so easily fall out of a routine, especially in these strange times where we’re spending a lot of time indoors. Whether you’re self-isolating, working from home or social distancing, keeping up your daily routine is still important. Sticking to a routine helps to keep the mind occupied, makes us feel more in control of everything, and helps reduce stress levels.
How to establish a new routine
If your usual daily routine has come to a halt, that’s okay! You can make a new one for the current situation you’re in.
Working from home? Set your alarm to your usual time and get up and ready for the day. Take your usual morning shower and dress in actual clothes, not your pyjamas, this will set you up mentally and physically for the day ahead.
Don’t skip lunch! Break up your day and take a moment to relax from whatever you’re doing whether it’s working, teaching the children or cleaning the house.
Get some fresh air. Enjoy a brief walk or jog around the block, just make sure you stay at least two metres away from anyone else that isn’t from your household. You’ll feel the benefits of the fresh air and it will reduce your cabin fever. (Always wash your hands when you return home)
Stay connected. Keep in touch with friends and family digitally, whether it’s a text or by video call, make sure your loved ones are okay. It helps to know you’re not alone and that everyone is going through this.
Self-care
Incorporating self-care into your daily routine is vital, especially in these uncertain times when stress is running high. We often dismiss basic self-care tasks when we’re stressed and anxious, but now more than ever is when we should be looking after ourselves. Basic self-care includes:
- Washing
- Eating
- Brushing teeth
- Making the bed
All these tasks we do automatically as part of a regular daily routine, but it’s important to make a self-care routine to keep ourselves in tip-top condition!
What help is out there?
Mind are one of the UK’s leading mental health charities and they offer plenty of help and guidance on their website including articles, online chat, helpline and urgent help tool.
Samaritans operate a 24/7 helpline which is free to call on 116 123. They can also offer you support by email. Their email address is jo@samaritans.org.
24/7 Health and Wellbeing Support
General & Medical Healthcare offer access to complementary health and wellbeing services with all health insurance policies which includes telephone counselling, self-help programmes and everyday support.
All our healthcare policies include the 24/7 GP Advice Line which allows you to speak to a doctor confidentially over the phone at any time of the day without waiting in a queue.
Mental Health Support Your physical and mental health is the most important thing to us here at General & Medical Healthcare. We want to look after your body and mind, which is why we offer complimentary 24/7 Health and Wellbeing services included as standard with all our healthcare policies and GP Advice Line available on selected policies.
This content is subject to our Disclaimer.