Self Care Week 2020 will be taking place on the 16th - 22nd November, and is an annual national awareness week that focuses on establishing support for self care across communities, families and generations. The purpose of Self Care Week is to reignite self care practices which will help you get through the lockdown and to protect yourself and others against the coronavirus. In addition to social distancing and handwashing, further suggestions for COVID-19 self care messages are:
taking vitamin D supplements, particularly important for those shielding and unable to go outside;
good nutrition and regular exercise to support general wellbeing and help maximize people’s immunity;
adopting positive lifestyle choices;
supporting mental wellness by keeping connected, ensuring a sense of perspective, and taking further steps to maintain health.
More needs to be done to support people to better look after their own health. Empowering individuals to self care has many benefits for their short term and long term health and this is important since people are living longer.
Self care is recommended when you have a minor condition that can be treated at home, without medical care (from a doctor or nurse).
Common conditions that you can self care yourself can be:
Coughs and colds
Sprain and strains
Sore throat
Sinusitis
Earache
Constipation
Headache
Emotional self care
Talk to your friends about how you’re feeling
Write three good things that you did/felt every day
Play a sport
More information on how to self care, can be found here on the self care forum.
Need some more help?
Look at the Healthwatch England video to see how we can provide you with the advice and information you need to make the best decisions about your health and social care.