Free HSE resource available to help support wellbeing and resilience

The outbreak of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) is a cause of increased stress, anxiety, worry and fear for many young people. These stresses can be caused by the outbreak itself, as well as from its impact such as increased social isolation, disruption to daily life such as school and college and uncertainty about employment, financial security, family wellbeing and housing security. In response to this, the Government has created a resource to help people maintain their wellbeing and resilience during these uncertain times.

Getting through COVID-19 together

The new Government resource offers advice across six main areas: looking after our mental health, coping at home, staying active, healthy eating, helping in the community and cocooning. 

Looking after our mental health

The current COVID-19 pandemic can cause significant stress and anxiety, and impact on your mental health. What is important to keep in mind is that the current measures in places are helping to slow the spread of the virus and that the restrictions of social isolating are only temporary. Although you may feel that the situation is out of your control, there are things you can do in your daily life to help protect your mental health and build resilience.

Ways to mind your mental health during the pandemic:

• Stay informed, but set limits on the amount of time you spend looking at news and social media
• Try to keep up healthy routines during the day and for exercise
• Stay connected with friends and family via the internet
• Try to support and be kind to those you live with
• Reach out for help if you need it

Visit HSE.ie for the Government’s full advice on minding your mental health during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Coping at home

Coping at home offers advice to everyone trying to get used to their new routine while staying indoors. Adapting to the current situation is difficult as many people still have to work, study for exams and take care of others in their family. Being at home can also be a lonely time, when we are separated from our friends and partners.

Coping at home offers advice on:

• Making a new routine at home
• Working from home
• School work and study at home
• Taking care of children while at home
• Managing stress
• Mental health supports online

Visit HSE.ie for more Government advice on coping at home during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Staying active

With the current COVID-19 restrictions in place, most people’s exercise routines have been affected with gyms being closed and all group sports being cancelled. Exercise is extremely beneficial to both our physical and mental health, and it is important to try and create an exercise routine while staying within the 2km restrictions of your house.

Staying active offers advice and video tutorials on:

• Activity you can do at home
• Keeping active with young children
• Activity for older people
• Outdoor activity

Visit HSE.ie for the Government’s advice on staying active, including links to workouts with GAA and Camogie players.

Healthy eating

With restaurants closed it means you may be eating at home a lot more than before and running out of ideas of what to cook for yourself or your family during the week. What we eat has a huge impact on both our physical and mental health so it is important to try and keep a balanced diet while we stay at home.

Healthy Eating offers advice on:

• Healthy eating routine tips
• Quick meals
• Snacks
• Takeaways
• Older people
• Cooking with children
• Food safety

Visit HSE.ie for all the Government’s advice on healthy eating during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Helping in the community

Many people feel they would like to be able to contribute in some way to help their local community during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Government has outlined ways in which you can help during these times and where you can find help if you need it also.

Find more information on:

• Helping or volunteering
• Needing volunteers
• Getting help from a volunteer
• Keeping in touch
• The ‘Community Call’ plan

Visit HSE.ie for the Government’s advice on helping in the community or finding help during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cocooning

Cocooning is the term used for when people over 70 in Ireland purposefully stay at home and do not come into contact with other people in order to protect themselves from COVID-19. Cocooning can be difficult for both the people staying at home and their families, as they may not be able to see their children and grandchildren. If someone close to you is cocooning, it can be difficult as you may be worried about their health and miss being able to spend time with them.

You can find advice to help them during this time at HSE.ie.