Supporting your family’s wellbeing during isolation

Keep a daily routine going as much as possible, while also allowing for the fact that things will be different and trying not to give yourself a hard time about this. A meal planner might help to structure your days, breaking up the time and giving your family regular opportunities to gather together.

Get some fresh air and exercise together every day – whether that’s walking, running, scooting, skipping, doing an online workout or an egg and spoon race in the garden! This is really important for wellbeing and helps to lift our mood.

The Government is currently advising that people can go outside with people they live with once a day for exercise – as long as no one in the household is showing symptoms or has a condition that means they need to isolate more strictly.

Having contact with our support networks is really important at the moment – and you and your children can keep in touch with people using free apps such as Whatsapp, Facetime, Zoom, Skype, Google Hangouts and more.

If you’re in touch with other parents from your child’s class, can you come up with some ideas together for staying connected?

Search online for free activities your children can join in with virtually – helping them stay entertained and giving you opportunities for a quick break. You can find free online classes for young people in dance, P.E. workouts, science, yoga and more.

Ask your children what their favourite indoor activities are and use them to make a lucky dip or boredom jar. Write their ideas down on strips of paper and keep them in any container you’ve got, such as a bag, bowl, jar or hat. In moments of boredom or struggle, invite them to choose something they know they enjoy doing.

Depending on their age, activities could include crafting, making playdough, dressing up, baking or cooking, watching their favourite film or playing a video or board game with you.

We are living in uncertain times and it is completely natural to feel stressed and anxious – so try not to put pressure on yourself to feel fine or normal.

It might help to create a plan for your day each morning with your family – so that you can fit school work, family time, exercise, meals and me-time in. But don’t be hard on yourself when the routine is difficult to stick to and things are different – all of our routines have changed and this is unavoidable.

Remember that you can only do your best to support your children with their school work.

It might be really difficult to find time, or even space, for yourself at the moment – but it is important that you do something each day that you enjoy. It might be watching that Netflix series you’ve been meaning to start, having a soak in the bath, doing some exercise or reading a book. Whatever it is, make sure you take some time for yourself.

Now more than ever, it is so important for us to keep in touch with our friends, families and work colleagues – so make use of the instant messaging and video calling services that are out there, and keep catching up regularly.

Try not to compare yourself to what other families are doing or the way they’re handling this. We’re all doing our best and we’re coping with different stresses and situations.

Seek support and ask for help if you are struggling with your mental health during this period. Keep in touch with your GP by phone or online if you need to, and make use of helplines and other organisations that may still be able to offer online or phone support.