Statistically, deaf people are twice as likely to experience mental health issues such as depression and anxiety, compared to hearing people. Unfortunately, the lockdown and self-isolation are not helping at all to deal with these issues...
Human connections are important, and we will need ways to support our mental health, reduce feelings of isolation and feel connected with family, friends and colleagues.
This week is Mental Health Awareness Week and the theme for 2020 is #kindness.
It is important to highlight the importance of being kind to both others and ourselves, as kindness has a positive impact on everyone’s mental health and wellbeing.
When we are kind to another person it improves our mood, makes us feel good and more likely to act kindly in the future. We are “spreading the love”.
During the last weeks we have suggested you develop some good practices to support and manage your mental and physical wellbeing in these difficult times such as:
Wake up at the same time every day
Keep your morning routine
Eat a balanced diet and stay hydrated
Keep active
Stay connected with your family, friends and/or work colleagues
Find ways to usefully spend your time, stay relaxed and be creative
... Keep reading here: "Look after your mental health while you have to stay at home".
Now we would like to focus on kindness and add a list of random acts to start “spreading the love” this week, and maybe we can all keep the habit after lockdown ends too?!
Smile at someone just because you can! You don't have to take your mask off if you are wearing one and prefer not to, but you can practise smiling with your eyes!
Write a letter or send a card in the mail – good old fashioned “snail mail” is always appreciated!
Send a motivational text to a friend/family member who is struggling
Leave a message in the mailbox for your postman or woman
Donate to your favourite charity – they are all really suffering at present and need every penny!
Reach out to call a friend, family member or neighbour who is experiencing loneliness or isolation
Run an errand for a family member who is not able to go outside
There are plenty of things you can do to spread kindness; random acts of kindness are contagious and they can spread far and wide and pretty quickly too!
We all need to make a massive effort to see the positive side of this pandemic, learn from it and be more kind as a society.
Please have in mind that it is OK not to be OK, and the importance of talking about your feelings. Accept who you are and ask for help if you need it!
Remember that the NHS website has lots of tips and advice pages where you will find the support you might need while staying at home during Coronavirus. Read more HERE.
Mental Health support for Deaf people: https://www.signhealth.org.uk/about-deafness/mental-health/
Be safe. #HealthyAtHome ❤
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