Five ways to help support your family during COVID-19

Spending more time at home while we practice social distancing can mean spending more time with our families. Whether you have always lived at home or have moved back in during the pandemic, spending all your time with the same people can at times be difficult and you may find yourselves getting on each other’s nerves more than you used to. This is completely normal given the difficult situation, but it is important to make a conscious effort to be kind to those you live with and where possible, to help support them during the day. 

Below we give advice on five simple ways you can help to support your family during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic. If you have any other advice or would like to share your experience of living at home during this time, please get in touch and we will share your story with other young people on our site.  

How to support your family during COVID-19 (Coronavirus)  

Helping with house work 

It might normally be the last thing you want to do, but now that the majority of our time is spent in our homes it means that house work can be constant. Keeping your house tidy can help make it a nicer space for you and your family to enjoy time in. Doing small, daily tasks can help to keep on top of the housework so that you don’t feel overwhelmed by it when it comes to the weekend. It can be a good idea to take ownership of one specific task, such as doing the laundry, that way you know that it is your responsibility and keep an eye on it throughout the week. Ask your family what it is that you can do to help, you might be busy with study or work but even if you can only do a small amount it can make a big difference to daily life with your family.

Cooking family meals 

With restaurants closed you are maybe finding yourself eating at home more often that you used to. Cooking can be a great way to relax and get creative. As well as that, eating with your family can also be an enjoyable way to spend time together. Whether you cook regularly or are giving it a go for the first time, taking on the responsibility of cooking for your family once a week can help take some pressure off the other members of your family. Visit our healthy eating section where you will find a wide range of easy to cook recipes to help you get started.

Chipping in financially 

The current pandemic has caused a large number of people to become unemployed. If someone in your family loses their job, this can put financial strain on the family even if they are receiving the pandemic unemployment payment. If you are in the position to do so, it could make a big difference if you contribute to some of the household expenses. Speak to your family and ask them if they need extra financial support, you may not be able to give much but even a small amount can help to take some of the pressure off your other family members.

Supporting each other 

At times when you are feeling anxious you may rely on those you live with more so than normal. It is important to be able to find support from your family, especially when they are the only people you can spend time with. As much as you may take comfort from the support your family gives to you, it is important to recognise that they are also living through a pandemic and may also be struggling with the situation. Check in on your family members and ask them how they are and if there is anything you can do to help support them during this time. Small gestures can make a big difference to someone’s day, so make an effort to be kind to the people in your family and support each other during this time.

Spending quality time together 

Although you may be spending all your time together, it is important to make plans to spend it together in ways you enjoy. Games nights, movie nights or time spent in the garden can all help boost your mood and give you something to look forward to at the end of the day. You are allowed to exercise with members of your household so ask your family if they would like to go for a walk together and spend some time outside of the house. Exercise can help to boost your mood and makes a big difference to both your physical and mental health. By getting active as a family you can help encourage each other to keep it up and enjoy new ways of spending time together.

Feeling overwhelmed or anxious around the current pandemic?

This situation is completely new to everyone involved and it is normal to feel worried or anxious about what is going on. Following the Government’s instructions on how to stay safe and help slow the spread of the virus, can help to make you feel more in control of your current situation.

If you feel overwhelmed by the current situation and need someone to talk to, our anonymous, 24 hour text line is always open. You’re worth talking about and we’re here to listen and support you.

• Get anonymous support 24/7 with our text message support service
• Connect with a trained volunteer who will listen to you, and help you to move forward feeling better
• Text SPUNOUT to 086 1800 280 to begin
• Find out more about our text message support service