Looking after mental health
The government has released some advice and information on how to look after mental health and wellbeing during the coronavirus pandemic.
It encourages all of us to focus on key pillars of wellbeing including:
· connecting with others
- looking after our physical wellbeing
- talking about our worries
- looking after our sleep
- and managing our media and information intake.
Stay at home social media campaign
A #StayHomeStayActive campaign has been running on the council’s Facebook page atwww.facebook.com/@BasingstokeGov to encourage everyone staying at home to engage with online activities and interests – and help save lives.
From gardening to keep fit, children’s activities to art, the council has been showcasing fun ideas and useful tips to help our residents stay occupied and boost their wellbeing during this difficult period in lockdown.
This past week, we have featured Basingstoke’s THAT Gallery and artist Kev Munday’s brilliant images for people to print at home, colour in and create their own art gallery. We also posted a link to two weeks of creative challenges – such as becoming a DJ for a day – from @64 Million Artists at http://dothinkshare.com/
Families have been encouraged to turn their daily exercise into a nature walk with scavenger hunt tips at https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/blog/2020/01/nature-scavenger-hunts/
In the garden, residents were reminded that food and green waste can be turned into compost with a link to https://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/home-composting
Theatre fans can access some of the best shows streamed online live from London’s National Theatre online during the current crisis.
To help residents keep physically and mentally fit, we have scheduled a number of online resources for people of all ages and abilities. This included the Make Movement Your Mission workout sessions, running on the group’s Facebook page three times a day until 20 April.
Other exercise at home suggestions coming up include healthy heart moves, childrens’ games and seated exercises for older people.
We’ll have loads more great ideas posted in the next few weeks, look out for #StayHomeStayActive on our Facebook page.