Wellbeing for all
Your wellbeing
It is important to look after your own wellbeing during this challenging time. Please find some resources below to support your wellbeing, which you can also share with colleagues, families that you work with, friends, or your own family.
Breathing & mindfulness exercises
Take a look at these videos that provide breathing and mindfulness exercises.
Headspace: self-care in a crisis
Headspace: getting started
Activities
It is important to make time during your day to do the things that you enjoy. This might be time to read or exercise. You can find some ideas below.
Dance class
Why not try a free dance class with the Strictly professionals.
Couch to 5k
Try the free 'Couch to 5k' running app recommended by the NHS. Build up to running a 5k.
Theatre
Go to the theatre from your living room for free! Find streamed performances.
Museums/galleries
Go on a free tour around one of your favourite museums or galleries in London.
Concerts
Listen to a concert by the London Symphony Orchestra for free!
Craft fairs
Go searching around a free virtual craft fair every Saturday.
Cooking class
Take a free cooking class online. Watch live on Instagram every week.
Fiit
Free membership for NHS Staff to Fiit online fitness app offering home workouts.
Wellbeing apps
Here are some apps recommended by the NHS to help improve your wellbeing.
An app to help many aspects of your wellbeing and to support building resilience during a time of crisis and uncertainty.
A mindfulness app full of exercises. They offer free trials, NHS, Teacher and Health Professional discounts.
'Feeling Good: a positive mindset' app is based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to help improve your mood.
A sleep app that has exercises and top tips to help you with your sleep. The app includes audios and tracking.
Tips & advice to look after your wellbeing
Below you will find a number of websites and resources from different organisations to help you manage your wellbeing during COVID-19. Take a look!
Mindfulness and Acceptance & Commitment Therapy
Dr Russ Harris is a trainer of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). ACT helps us to be present and be aware of difficult thoughts and feelings. It helps us to live in line with the things that we value in life to help improve our wellbeing. He wrote the book 'The Happiness Trap' and he has created many helpful online resources. On his website you can find free materials including mindfulness exercises. He is also starting a regular webinar series.
Practical steps for looking after your wellbeing in response to COVID-19, using the principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
Mental Health Foundation
How to look after your mental health during the Coronavirus pandemic.
The Good News Network
Listen to positive news stories from all over the world to brighten your day!
Staying Connected
It is important for our wellbeing at this time to stay connected. This might be through calling or messaging friends and family. It could be from joining a local support group online.
Getting set up on social media
We are all relying more on technology, including social media platforms, to connect with friends, families, colleagues and our communities. If you need support with using apps such as WhatsApp and social media apps, you may find these free online YouTube tutorials helpful.
UK Mutual Aid groups for your local area
Don't forget that there are many mutual aid groups set up in response to COVID-19 across London & the UK. You can find your local groups and services on our "Near to Me" page.