These days more than ever, mental health and wellbeing is top of mind and showing love and kindness starts with ourselves first. Here are some ways to care & love for yourself and others!
STAYING CONNECTED
Phone, video call, email loved ones and keep connected with your social support systems.
KEEP A ROUTINE
Whether you maintain your old daily routine or create a new one, routine is key! Wake up in the morning, make yourself breakfast, schedule your meals, find time everyday to move your body, try to go to bed at the same time every night.
MINDFUL MEDIA + MOVEMENT
Although staying informed is important, take breaks from the media and news. Schedule daily updates for yourself 1-2 times per day from trusted sources to stay informed and make time each day to unwind and move your body. Make self-care a priority, it's important!
- Be kind and don't stigmatize the virus to any ethnicity or nationality. Show empathy to all affected by COVID-19 regardless of country.
- Be supportive of everyone around you. Acts of altruism benefit everyone - check in via phone with neighbours or members of the community to see if you can help support them. We are in this together!
- Honour those essential services that are supporting our community through COVID-19. Know an AHS worker? Pick up the phone and call them to share your gratitude for their work.
- Only share trusted information. There's a lot of information flying around so instead of promoting fear, shaming or hate culture, share what's essential and lead with kindness always.
Seek help when needed
There are so many people out there to help you + lend a hand when you need it. Below are a few places you can reach out to.
Edmonton Distress Line - 780-482-4357
Calgary Distress Line - 403-266-4357
https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/mental-health-considerations.pdf
^ (WHO and Mental Health Considerations During COVID-19 Outbreak - includes reducing anxiety, language to use during outbreak, social stigma, how citizens can help)
^ CMHA Edmonton - How to support your mental health while staying informed.
https://emergency.cdc.gov/coping/selfcare.asp
^ How to take care of your emotional health. Super straight forward and great resource!
https://www.cdc.gov/childrenindisasters/helping-children-cope.html
^ How to help children cope - for any mom or dad who is at home with their kids right now.