COVID-19 Insights 2

Close to half of all Australians are suffering from some form of mental health at present due to COVID-19. Our research shows a strong correlation between the support provided to staff and their overall health and wellbeing.

"Creating barriers, stickers, lines for customers and staff. People are not taking Covid-19 seriously enough. Provide adequate gloves and hand sanitisers. Put a shield up for server to customers instead of just an open spaced bench. Provide adequate cleaning of not just the floor and bench but thorough cleaning of walls, windows, doors, etc." 

"Good communication and taking it slow to adjust back into the new working environment. Moving back into the new working environment will be just as hard as the adjustments made at the beginning of the crisis."

People deal with change differently, and with many employees being physically distant from the office and colleagues means that communication is more important than ever. Even if there’s nothing ‘new’ to say, maintaining frequent communication with employees is an essential component through this next phase.

If needed, repeat the benefits and support that’s available, or perhaps offer personal anecdotes so that people can maintain a connection. All this help achieve greater levels of loyalty which will also benefit organisations in the months and years ahead.

Major mental illnesses rarely appear out of the blue. There are often small changes or feelings that “something is not quite right” about peoples’ thinking, feelings or behaviours. It is important that we understand what to look for and what to do.

At this time of social distancing we need to be even more mindful of understanding the symptoms of mental ill health so that we can support each other and stay connected as best we can. With such a substantial change in our lives, it is likely many of us will have some fear and anxiety – this is normal.

When it starts to have an impact, we need to ensure we take action. With social isolation, it is harder for others to see some of these signs and therefore it is critical to stay in contact via voice, and where possible video, as well as looking for these signs in yourself and in others.

Things you can hear

When on a call with a colleague, friend or family – listencarefully for any changes to normal like:

1. Emotional outbursts – rapid or dramatic changes in emotions or unusual anger or laughter.
2. Quiet or withdrawn – when communicating you sense a drop in their interaction or a loss of interest in something you know that would normally engage them.
3. Problems thinking – noticing a loss of concentration, illogical speech or they are finding it hard to explain things.
4. Apathy – failure to participate in calls or cancelling continually.
5. Illogical thinking – unusual or exaggerated beliefs about what is happening and unrealistic thoughts.
6. Nervousness – suspiciousness, changed voice, flat or monotone speech.

Things you can ask

It is critical that we ask questions about peoples wellbeing even when we think that they are well as sometimes it is what you can’t see or hear that is having a greater impact. So try asking:

1. How is your sleep? – sleep is critical for our health and a lack of sleep or poor sleep patterns could be a sign of mental ill health.
2. How is your appetite? – large changes in appetite either up or down can be a sign that something is not quite right.
3. Are you drinking more? – If you have concerns, and feel there are a number of signs, you shouldn’t be afraid to ask this one. Share your thoughts and support and listen.
4. How is your mental health? – some people just need to be asked. In the current circumstances, we should not be afraid to ask if someone is ok and even ask if they are feeling anxious or depressed. We need to remove the stigma and share our feelings.
5. Can I help you? – sometimes people will share that they want your help or need your help.

Things you can see

Try to connect with friends, colleagues and family via a video platform so you can see them and look for:

1. Unusual behaviours – more fidgeting than usual, not looking at you, continual hand movements that are different to normal. Look for things that are uncharacteristic.
2. Change in appearance – rapid weight gain or weight loss. Unusual reduction in self grooming.
3. Drop in functioning – An unusual drop in work performance, output, engagement in things that are of interest.

Now more than ever, our work and home lives have blended into one. Technology makes it possible to run a business from your living room, educate kids remotely, and stay connected to friends and family. But now we need to find ways to unplug and make the shift from work to home in the same space. Here are six simple tips to navigate this new normal, while keeping your productivity high and your stress low.

1. Turn on the tunes

Listening to music can lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol, helping you feel calmer. There’s no right or wrong type to listen to.

2. Do one thing at a time

Multitasking might seem efficient, but it can lower your productivity and make you prone to mistakes. Checking off one item at a time not only helps you accomplish more overall, but it also increases feelings of accomplishment.

3. Take a walk outside

It can be hard to step away when you’re working from home, but you should take time to head outside and leave your phone behind. Taking a short stroll around the block can clear your head just by changing your scenery. Walking can also boost your energy, so you’ll feel refreshed when you get back to work.

4. Take an artistic interlude

Grab some crayons or colored pencils and channel your artistic side. Love to write? Work on an original poem. You could even read a piece of literature out loud. Engaging in creative activities helps give your mind a reprieve from work stresses.

5. Try aromatherapy

Scents can have a powerful impact on your mood. Infuse your space with stress-fighting essential oils like lavender or bergamot. Both have been shown to calm the nervous system by lowering blood pressure and heart rate, promoting feelings of relaxation.

6. Get enough sleep

Resist the urge to stay up late answering emails or watching TV — and aim to get 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night. Even one night of sleep deprivation can increase feelings of stress, anger, sadness, and mental exhaustion. When you’re well-rested, you have more mental bandwidth to cope with stressful situations.

We’re all looking for new ways to feel healthy and better manage stress. Enter mindful meditation.

“There are so many benefits to meditation. Things like better cognitive function, lower heart and respiratory rate, lower blood pressure, less response to stress, less reactivity to negative situations, better sleep, enhanced work performance, and lowering the perception of pain in people dealing with chronic illness,” says Dr. Kathy Gruver, PhD, LMT, natural health practitioner and author of Conquer Your Stress.

Even those who aren’t experiencing mental health issues can gain psychological benefits from incorporating the practice into their routine. Ready to get started? Follow these expert tips to help make meditation part of your daily routine.

1. Start with mindfulness

“Mindfulness is simply going about an activity with curiosity and focus, using all of your senses and remaining in the present moment,” says Dr. Gruver. With that in mind, you can apply mindfulness to any activity, even something as simple as folding laundry. For example, feel the warmth of the clothing fresh out of the dryer. Smell the scented fabric softener. Using your senses to engage in any activity trains you to respond to situations thoughtfully, says Dr. Gruver.

2. Try mini meditations

The mini meditation is so simple to learn, and you can do it anytime, anywhere. Dr. Gruver instructs people to concentrate on their breath, and the rise and fall of

their chest. On the inhale think, “I am.” And on the exhale think, “at peace.” Repeat with every inhale and exhale. If you get distracted by other thoughts, simply dismiss them and return to your breath.

“Even if you start with five minutes and increase it as you get the hang of it, you will see the benefits,” says Dr. Gruver.

3. Use technology for guidance

There is a wealth of resources available right on your phone. Some apps include guided meditations, sleep stories, and even mini sessions for specific moments. Not your speed? Try one of the biggest trends in mindfulness—ASMR, which stands for autonomous sensory meridian response. In short, it stimulates relaxation and induces sleep using a series of repetitive sounds.

4. Choose a time of day that works for you

Whether you squeeze in your mindful meditation after your morning coffee or

set aside time before bed is up to you. “The morning is great for setting intentions and incorporating attributes that we’re looking to set into our lives, while the night is great for relaxation and unwinding from stress,” says Alanna Zabel, registered yoga instructor specialising in mind / body patterning.

If you often find yourself nodding off during your favourite prime time show, the morning may be your best bet. Others may barely get through a morning cup of coffee with their eyes open. It’ll take some getting used to, but remember, it doesn’t have to be longer than five minutes.

5. Stick with it

Your practice won’t always come easily, and even long-time meditation experts have days when their minds wander. Patience is key, and so is embracing the process. The most important thing is to figure out how to make mindful meditation feel right for you. If finding a quiet spot in the backyard midafternoon to take a five minute break and refocus feels right, go for it. Or if you need to decompress after a long day at your desk, take a few moments for yourself in a different room.

Notice how you feel after each meditation and make small adjustments. Eventually, you should start to find that you’re better able to handle the stress of daily life, as you develop the ability to pause and respond, rather than react.

With children going back to school, there could be a lot of  mis-information they are hearing from other children. A good place to start is learning about COVID-19 from reputable sources, such as the Centres for Disease Control and  Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization. Get the facts about current federal and state recommendations, and how to protect your family from infection. Then you’ll be prepared to talk to your kids support them during a difficult time.

If possible, choose a time when your kids are likely to want to talk, such as at dinner. Ask what they already know, and what questions and concerns they have. Everyone reacts differently, but your kids’ questions can guide your discussion. 

Listen and answer their questions with facts in a way that they can understand. If you don’t know the answer to a question, be honest. Let them know that there are a lot of rumours and false information, and that you’ll help them learn the facts. If it’s  appropriate for their age, you can show them how to search for the answer on a reliable website.

Frequently talk with your kids to see how they’re coping and offer them regular  updates as more is learned about COVID-19 and the precautions families should take. Encourage them to express their feelings, letting them know that it’s OK to be upset. Also encourage them to come to you with any new questions. This helps build trust.