How to maintain good mental health during the Coronavirus pandemic

Adult holding child's hand
19/05/2020

Mental health is a balance of our emotions, our psychological wellbeing and our social wellbeing. This affects how we think, how we feel and how we act. When we are under stress, it’s hard to keep these things in balance.

We want to share with you some things that might help you to keep you balanced during this unsettled time of the Coronavirus pandemic.

  • Take a break from the news
  • Keep some routine
  • Talk to your mates
  • Stay active
  • Have a bath or a warm shower
  • Listen to your favourite calming music
  • Watch something that makes you feel good
  • Read a good book or re-read one you loved
  • Get stuck into some gardening
  • If you like housework, do a spring clean
  • Connect to an online support forum
  • Do some mindfulness colouring in

Coping with self-isolation

We are fortunate to have a lot of space around us and a beautiful country to explore. We have been asked to change our lifestyles and to practice isolation for ourselves and our families, but this may not be an easy time for many of us.

Isolation strategies for parents, carers and grown ups 

  • Remind yourself that this is a temporary period of isolation to slow the spread of the virus.
  • Remember that your effort is helping others in the community avoid contracting the virus. 
  • Stay connected with friends, family and colleagues via email, social media, video conferencing or telephone. 
  • Engage in healthy activities that you enjoy and find relaxing. 
  • Keep regular sleep routines and eat healthy foods. 
  • Try to maintain physical activity. 
  • Establish routines as best as possible and try to view this period as a new experience that can bring health benefits. 
  • For those working from home, try to maintain a healthy balance by allocating specific work hours, taking regular breaks and, if possible, establishing a dedicated work space. 
  • Avoid news and social media if you find it distressing. 
  • Play games with your family.

Managing life at home for parents and carers

This is an unsettling time across the world and it might also feel like an unsettled time in our own homes. You have important roles as the adults who are looking after our children and young people, we want to provide you with some information that we thought might help you.

Being kind to yourself as you look after others

  • Give yourself permission and time to think about what is worrying you.
  • It is also important to find ways to give yourself a break from worry and from thinking about what is happening.
  • If you are struggling to relax, now might be the time to try out some new strategies such as getting outside, practising mindfulness or listening to music.

Talking to children about Coronavirus

Coronavirus can be confusing for adults, which means it can be even more confusing and a bit frightening for children. Little people might find it difficult to make sense of what they are seeing online or on TV or hearing from the people around them. Children and adolescents are vulnerable to feelings of anxiety, stress and sadness. Having a supportive chat with your children can help them understand, improve their coping and help them to believe life will eventually get back on track.

  • Check in with yourself that you are ready to start the chat
  • Ask open questions and listen
  • Be honest: explain the truth in a child-friendly way
  • Show them how to protect themselves and their friend
  • Helping children make sense of what they have been seeing, hearing and experiencing
  • Find reliable sources of information to help you respond

Babies, toddler and young children

Babies and toddlers aren’t likely to understand what is happening out of your home, but they will notice that life at home and with their family is different. 

Your little people will pick up on:

  • changes in how you are feeling
  • if you are distracted, particularly your phone or device use
  • how you are responding to them.

To reassure and support our little people through these changes:

  • Daily routines are important and help you to spend regular time together
  • Limit having the TV on while they are playing or in the room.
  • Find ways to connect with friends, grandparents, aunts and uncles and loved ones that they might be separated from such as video calling, sending photos by phone or making cards or drawings.

We have created a book for kids on What is Coronavirus? (PDF).

How to talk to kids about Coronavirus with Gordon Miles, Senior Clinical Psychologist at the Paediatric Consultation Liaison Service, PCH

Mental health is a balance of our emotions, our psychological wellbeing and our social wellbeing. This affects how we think, how we feel and how we act. When we are under stress, it’s hard to keep these things in balance.

We want to share with you some things that might help you to keep you balanced during this unsettled time of the Coronavirus pandemic.

  • Take a break from the news
  • Keep some routine
  • Talk to your mates
  • Stay active
  • Have a bath or a warm shower
  • Listen to your favourite calming music
  • Watch something that makes you feel good
  • Read a good book or re-read one you loved
  • Get stuck into some gardening
  • If you like housework, do a spring clean
  • Connect to an online support forum
  • Do some mindfulness colouring in

Coping with self-isolation

We are fortunate to have a lot of space around us and a beautiful country to explore. We have been asked to change our lifestyles and to practice isolation for ourselves and our families, but this may not be an easy time for many of us.

Isolation strategies for parents, carers and grown ups 

  • Remind yourself that this is a temporary period of isolation to slow the spread of the virus.
  • Remember that your effort is helping others in the community avoid contracting the virus. 
  • Stay connected with friends, family and colleagues via email, social media, video conferencing or telephone. 
  • Engage in healthy activities that you enjoy and find relaxing. 
  • Keep regular sleep routines and eat healthy foods. 
  • Try to maintain physical activity. 
  • Establish routines as best as possible and try to view this period as a new experience that can bring health benefits. 
  • For those working from home, try to maintain a healthy balance by allocating specific work hours, taking regular breaks and, if possible, establishing a dedicated work space. 
  • Avoid news and social media if you find it distressing. 
  • Play games with your family.

Managing life at home for parents and carers

This is an unsettling time across the world and it might also feel like an unsettled time in our own homes. You have important roles as the adults who are looking after our children and young people, we want to provide you with some information that we thought might help you.

Being kind to yourself as you look after others

  • Give yourself permission and time to think about what is worrying you.
  • It is also important to find ways to give yourself a break from worry and from thinking about what is happening.
  • If you are struggling to relax, now might be the time to try out some new strategies such as getting outside, practising mindfulness or listening to music.

Talking to children about Coronavirus

Coronavirus can be confusing for adults, which means it can be even more confusing and a bit frightening for children. Little people might find it difficult to make sense of what they are seeing online or on TV or hearing from the people around them. Children and adolescents are vulnerable to feelings of anxiety, stress and sadness. Having a supportive chat with your children can help them understand, improve their coping and help them to believe life will eventually get back on track.

  • Check in with yourself that you are ready to start the chat
  • Ask open questions and listen
  • Be honest: explain the truth in a child-friendly way
  • Show them how to protect themselves and their friend
  • Helping children make sense of what they have been seeing, hearing and experiencing
  • Find reliable sources of information to help you respond

Babies, toddler and young children

Babies and toddlers aren’t likely to understand what is happening out of your home, but they will notice that life at home and with their family is different. 

Your little people will pick up on:

  • changes in how you are feeling
  • if you are distracted, particularly your phone or device use
  • how you are responding to them.

To reassure and support our little people through these changes:

  • Daily routines are important and help you to spend regular time together
  • Limit having the TV on while they are playing or in the room.
  • Find ways to connect with friends, grandparents, aunts and uncles and loved ones that they might be separated from such as video calling, sending photos by phone or making cards or drawings.

We have created a book for kids on What is Coronavirus? (PDF) 

How to talk to kids about Coronavirus with Gordon Miles, Senior Clinical Psychologist at the Paediatric Consultation Liaison Service, PCH

 

 

Resources

Looking after your mental health

Online and telephone resources 

Resources for managing self isolation

Resources for adults managing little people, children and adolescents at home
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Last Updated: 18/06/2021