Other practical tips

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact our lives and livelihoods, it is important to keep practising regular and sustainable self-care. Here are some ideas of ways you can continue looking after your mental health through the third year of the pandemic.

• With increased levels of community transmission, understand your own risk capacity (and discuss this with your GP if required) and plan for how you will moderate your exposure accordingly.
• Normalise where there still may be a ‘lack of normal’, and acknowledge any feelings of grief, frustration, or other emotions that may accompany this.
• Be mindful of your media intake, aiming to strike the balance between being informed enough without becoming overwhelmed. It is also important to always choose trusted sources of information such as official government health advice. Take time to engage in some light-hearted and entertaining online content as well, to help break up the mental intake of serious news.
• If you have been disconnected from your usual social circles through restrictions, take some time to reconnect to friends or family you may have lost touch with.
• Look for safe opportunities where you can engage with activities you may not have been able to before, e.g., meeting friends, learning a new hobby, doing a day trip or visiting a different part of town.
• Give yourself time to adjust and understand you may not feel as ready or able to return to previous activities overnight. Find a pace that works for you and allow yourself the time you need.
• Remember the progress we have made over the course of the pandemic, including how much more we understand about the virus and the effective vaccines available.
• Think about how you have coped with previous challenges, and how you might be able to apply what has worked in the past to your current circumstances.
• Find moments to slow down during the day. For example, you might take a moment to notice sounds, smells and other sensations while brushing your teeth, folding laundry, or washing your hands. 
• You may also use grounding tools such as the 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Exercise to help you return to the present moment. Name 5 things you can see, 4 things you can feel, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell, and 1 thing you can taste.