Happiful May 2020

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Coronavirus: 8 ways to help yourself and others As both the news, and our lives, become dominated by the ongoing situation with coronavirus, we explore how you can help yourself – and others – while protecting your mental health Writing | Kat Nicholls When something like a virus outbreak happens, it’s easy for us to feel like we don’t have any control, and this allows anxiety to flourish. While the measures being implemented are to protect us and to try to keep us safe, isolation can have a dramatic impact on our mental health as well. But while the wider situation may be out of our hands, we can take back control through the ways we can help – and that includes taking care of your mental wellbeing, and looking out for those who may be more vulnerable. Here we look at some ways you can regain a sense of control, ease anxiety in this difficult time, and support others. 1. SWITCH OFF NOTIFICATIONS AND TUNE INTO OFFICIAL INFORMATION As with many things that get picked up in the news, there is a lot of misinformation about coronavirus. It can be easy to get sucked into these articles, clicking on link after link until your head is swimming with panic-inducing headlines. If you have news notifications set up, and you’re finding they are triggering anxiety, switch them off. Try to limit yourself to only reading information from official sources such as the NHS and Public Health England. If you’re not UK-based, take a look at the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for updates. 2. SPRING CLEAN YOUR SOCIAL Sometimes it isn’t news outlets that trigger our anxiety, but the people in our social media feeds that have us worried. Perhaps you follow someone who is sharing unofficial news updates, or someone who is talking about it in a way that feels uncomfortable to you? Whatever the reason, remember there’s no shame in unfollowing, or even temporarily muting, someone from your feed. Focus on following uplifting accounts that make you feel calm and in control. 3. ASK BEFORE ANALYSING With a subject as topical as coronavirus, many of us will find ourselves talking about it constantly – with those in our households, and on every FaceTime, Skype, or Zoom call. 62 • happiful.com • May 2020
However you are feeling is valid, and it’s important to give space to those feelings Although we might want to be kept informed, sometimes this can become overwhelming. It’s hard to know how the person we’re speaking to is feeling about the situation, and whether or not talking about it will trigger anxiety in them. Before you start a conversation, check in with the person you’re talking to about it. Are they comfortable having a discussion, or would they rather you talked about something else? Similarly, be sure to share your own boundaries around the subject if you’re finding it tough to listen to. 4. TRY TO UNDERSTAND OPPOSING POINTS OF VIEWS We all react to news like this differently, and rather than turning on each other, being kind and offering alternatives can be more productive. Remember, we’re all human and are doing the best we can with the tools we’ve got. However you are feeling is valid, and it’s important to give space to those feelings – frustration, fear, sadness, anxiety, anger. Some people might even find joy in spending more time with their family, and holding on to those special moments and memories is good, too. 5. SHOP MINDFULLY, SHOP LOCALLY According to Alastair George, Investment Strategist at Edison Investment Research, it’s fear rather than the coronavirus that may be the UK economy’s biggest enemy. You may have noticed a lot of shops are being emptied of their supplies, and while it’s easy to understand how fear is driving this behaviour, try to only buy what you need, and shop locally where you can. It’s small businesses that are most likely to be affected and who will need your ongoing support. 6. BE AWARE OF WHO YOU CAN HELP If you know of anyone who may be struggling to get what they need, whether that’s information, health supplies or someone to talk to, see if there’s any way you can help. Consider older people who may not be online or those with pre-existing conditions who are unable to make a trip to the shops. Perhaps drop a note with your mobile number through people’s letterboxes, offering support if you can, or signposting others who can support them. 7. CONSIDER WHERE A CHANGE TO BEHAVIOUR COULD BE POSITIVE It can be hard to see positives in a situation like this, but it may be helpful to consider how the changes we’re making due to the outbreak could have positive implications. For example, China banned wildlife trade nationwide in January due to the coronavirus outbreak. Positive change can come from difficult situations. >>> May 2020 • happiful.com • 63
Page 1 and 2:
THE MAGAZINE DEVOTED TO MENTAL HEAL
Page 3 and 4:
Here for you In unprecedented times
Page 5 and 6:
Our team EDITORIAL Rebecca Thair |
Page 7 and 8:
Find help CRISIS SUPPORT If you are
Page 9:
Spitzer the very socialable cat PET
Page 12 and 13: Take 5 1 S 18 26 26 E R 20 14 23 12
Page 14 and 15: What is skin positivty? There’s a
Page 16 and 17: Sleep scenarios and how to put them
Page 18 and 19: Eat your way to a better night’s
Page 20 and 21: Science-backed methods to send you
Page 22 and 23: Reignite your passion for work...wi
Page 24 and 25: HAPPIFUL TOP 10 May Make the month
Page 26 and 27: “ Sometimes you will never know t
Page 28 and 29: In the spotlight: 4th The tricky fo
Page 30 and 31: GET OUT AND ABOUT Venturing to baby
Page 32 and 33: 16 seconds to de-stress Psychothera
Page 34 and 35: Self-care quiz Answer the following
Page 36 and 37: “ Let us make our future now, and
Page 38 and 39: There were times when I looked at m
Page 40 and 41: Ask the experts Hypnotherapist John
Page 42 and 43: How to make meditating easy Do you
Page 45 and 46: WORKING IT OUT Energy and personali
Page 47 and 48: For more information about Wellfest
Page 49 and 50: Photography | Ocean Taylor Sharing
Page 51 and 52: BREAKING THE HABIT It’s easy to f
Page 53 and 54: track’ with their new behaviours,
Page 55 and 56: Try this at home Scents can have an
Page 57 and 58: Strong Mentality From truly traumat
Page 59 and 60: Dan on ‘SAS: Who Dares Wins’ in
Page 61: All the issues from my waking day w
Page 65 and 66: ten Writing | Jenna Farmer 10 energ
Page 67 and 68: We need carbs to provide energy, bu
Page 69 and 70: nightmare to dreaming that your tee
Page 71 and 72: I’ve been harbouring hatred for t
Page 73 and 74: “ You look so well.” I remember
Page 75 and 76: We’ve all been hoodwinked by this
Page 77 and 78: Whether you live to work or work to
Page 79 and 80: Panic attacks: KNOW YOUR TRIGGERS P
Page 81 and 82: COPING STRATEGIES: Feel a panic att
Page 83 and 84: As Nature Intended As we all adopt
Page 85 and 86: There are some brilliant gardening
Page 87 and 88: TRUE LIFE From confidence crisis to
Page 89 and 90: Hayley is an NLP life transformatio
Page 91 and 92: “ Some people look for a beautifu
show all

Happiful May 2020

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?