
Test Owner
Tony Fittock
Hello! I'm Tony.
I have had a varied work background in all forms of accounts but to me payroll is more varied and have the opportunity to learn new things regularly. I play an important role ensuring information is collated and entered onto the payroll system in a timely manner so that all our candidates are paid correctly and on time.
If you were stranded on a desert island, what three items would you want to have with you?
- Pen and paper to write a message
- Bottle to put the message in
- Speedboat with sat nav – message in a bottle rarely works
What is something on your bucket list that you haven’t had a chance to complete yet?
To see the New York Yankees win the world series.
Three words that describe my approach
Reliable, genuine, direct
Alpa Pithiya
Hello! I'm Alpa.
I have extensive experience within the financial industry of which most of it is within the recruitment industry. My role is varied and includes managing the debts of creditors, ensuring timely payments are made, processing incoming funds, reconciling invoices and maintaining strong relationships with clients to ensure the smooth running of accounts.
I thoroughly enjoy the different aspects the role brings and being a part of something that helps the business to re-invest and grow.
If you were stranded on a desert island, what three items would you want to have with you?
- A knife
- A fishing net
- A frying pan
What is something on your bucket list that you haven’t had a chance to complete yet?
- Travel across Asia
- Visit any one of the 7 wonders of the world
- A cruise through Europe
Three words that describe my approach
Passionate. organised, helpful
Niamh Ryan
Hello! I'm Niamh.
I was very excited to join TLTP Medical after completing my studies in Business as I was ready to kick start my career. I enjoy a busy, thriving environment and this is the perfect opportunity where I can put into practice everything I have learnt.
Everyday is different and I love having a varied role which includes resourcing, interviewing candidates, managing timesheets, and general day-to-day administrative tasks that help to keep the AHP & HSS desk operating to its highest level. Receiving positive feedback from clients and candidates makes the challenges of each day worthwhile.
If you were stranded on a desert island, what three items would you want to have with you?
- Something to play music on
- Lighter
- Unlimited water
What is something on your bucket list that you haven’t had a chance to complete yet?
I would love to live and work in New York for a couple of months.
Three words that describe my approach
- Friendly
- Willing
- Supportive
Khalid Ahmed
Hello! I'm Khalid.
My role as Credit Control Manager is crucial in helping to keep the company’s finances up to date so that we can re-invest and continue to grow. I am responsible for ensuring we are performing at an optimum level and risk assessments have been carried out for all financial decisions that involve credit.
I have extensive experience within recruitment and enjoy the challenges this industry brings.
If you were stranded on a desert island, what three items would you want to have with you?
- iPhone
- Swiss utility knife
- Bed
What is something on your bucket list that you haven’t had a chance to complete yet?
Give up work and travel the world.
Three words that describe my approach
Enthusiastic, hard-working, experienced
TLTP Medical Healthcare Training Day
Earlier this week, we held our first face to face training day since the government lifted all restrictions. The training was for our Healthcare Assistants and Carers who provide essential care to patients in the community.
Reach Healthcare Solutions provided the training which included stoma care, RIG / PEG management and respiratory support using the non-invasive ventilation (NIV) using BiPAP mode. This much needed and vital training means we can continue to provide the necessary care to patients who rely on our workers. Reach Healthcare Solutions have an invaluable wealth of skills and experience and are passionate about educating the importance of patient care.
At TLTP Medical, patient care always comes first and that means ensuring all our staff are trained and qualified to the highest level so that the very best care is always provided. As a specialist agency with extensive experience in Medical recruitment we fully understand today’s challenging market.
Join our team
If you would like to join our team of Healthcare workers or to find out more about our roles please fill in a few details by Registering here.
Alternatively, please Request a Call Back or contact us on 020 8709 6553 and a consultant can talk through your individual requirements.
Exercising from home: A beginner’s guide
Exercise is essential for your health and wellbeing, but it’s not always feasible to leave the house to get in your 10,000 steps. This is where exercising from home comes in. Here’s a primer on exercising from home if you’re a beginner. Explore the TLTP Medical blog for more valuable health tips like this article!
Make use of YouTube
YouTube is a great resource for all sorts of online tutorials. Whether you want to learn how to cook rice or tune a car, there’s a video on that. When it comes to exercising from home, there are plenty of videos on YouTube to get you started.
Looking for an aerobics class to kick start your heart rate? There are plenty to choose from. How about a free yoga tutorial? Choose one of the thousands of videos on that subject alone. Everything from how to lift weights properly to stretching effectively is covered on YouTube.
YouTube exercise content is a great way to keep yourself motivated and moving without having to leave your own home. As a bonus, getting involved in the comments of an exercise video will help you interact with like-minded folk wanting to improve their health through exercise.
Stay consistent
The key to good exercise is consistency. There’s no point burning yourself out on one day at the gym only to follow it with six days lounging around the house.
When it comes to exercising from home, it can be hard to stay motivated. You’re not paying a subscription fee and there’s no peer pressure from other gym-goers to help you along either. You have to practice self-discipline and make sure you’re regularly engaging in exercise.
A good way to maintain a healthy routine is to set aside time to work out at the same time every day. Whether it be morning or evening, block out an hour or two and keep that time as “exercise time.” Don’t let other things creep into this block.
Another great way to stay consistent is to reward yourself after each session. Maybe you get to watch an episode of your favorite TV show or read a chapter of the book that’s hooked you recently. Whatever the reward, make sure you don’t cheat and reward yourself before you’ve achieved your exercise goals.
Rope in a partner
We live in a digital age, so why not take advantage of the fact? If you find it hard to exercise alone, why not rope someone in via video conference to help keep you motivated?
Exercising in pairs or groups like this is a great way to keep everyone on track. Because you’re all holding each other accountable, you’re all more likely to achieve your exercise goals.
Humans are pack animals and we do things better in groups. Having someone present won’t just motivate you, it’ll also give you someone to socialize with as you exercise. This can make the task go quicker and easier.
Track your progress
Tracking your progress is a great way to motivate yourself when it comes to exercising from home. It’ll help you see the results of your efforts and keep you coming back for more.
Using a fitness tracker or smartwatch to track your progress is a great way to track your activity and keep you healthy and safe while exercising. It can track everything from your heart rate to your energy output. As a bonus, you can jazz up your wearable with a cute strap to keep you extra motivated.
If you can’t get access to a fitness tracker, don’t worry. You can always go old school with a tape measure or a set of scales to help you measure your progress.
Meet your goals today
Exercising from home is a great way to stay fit and healthy if you can’t leave the house. Now you have a few strategies to employ on your home fitness journey.
As a nurse you’re always taking care of others and you can easily forget to care for yourself. Nursing is not a 9-5 job because patient care is 24hours, 7 days a week.
Nursing in general is challenging, stressful and demanding. The duties and responsibilities of a nurse is no different during a day shift or a night shift, however the night shift does present unique challenges.
To work in a night shift, it requires a nurse to make significant adjustments to his or her daily routine and personal life. A well-planned schedule is required so that your body can adjust. A typical night shift is 12 hours long and can start anytime from 7pm to 11am the next day. At the end of a night shift, nurses typically return home to sleep, rest and rejuvenate, however sleeping throughout the day can be difficult to achieve. Once awake, a night nurse often tends to their personal life, and then remains up until it’s time for their next shift. It could be tough to manage your night shift sleep at first, however, it is not impossible.
A night shift is considered less busy or less stressful because majority of patients are asleep. However, as well as continuous monitoring of patients throughout the night, there will be a host of tasks to complete, medication to administer, and patients to care for, so keeping your eye on the ball will be vital.
- You’ll have less interaction with patients and families which will help you get on with your job. You can focus more on paperwork and other duties which are equally important.
- Working nights means a better pay rate compared to day shifts. You can get anywhere from £3 to £5 per hour more and you’ll soon notice the difference in your pay packet.
- Night shifts come with more freedom and give you a chance to breathe. You’ll be able to stop to go to the bathroom, have a snack and respond to messages without being disturbed or rushed under your feet.
To help you prepare and survive your night shift, we have put together five top tips to help you stay cool, calm and collected, no matter how stressful the situation may be.
1. Sleep adequately & invest in items to help you sleep better
It’s important for nurses to make sleep a priority at home, a minimum of 8 hours is required to be able to function and give the body the rest it needs. Night shift nurses must teach their bodies how to properly fall asleep (and remain asleep) for long periods of time without any interruptions. Even on your days off you must stick to a regular sleep schedule. The body cannot adjust for a day here and there on a different schedule, and it adversely affects your sleep quality when you significantly change your sleep schedule on off days. If you are having trouble sleeping try these get-to-sleep-quick tricks:
- Make sure your room is dark and quiet by using black - out shades and blinds, turning off your phone, doorbell sounds, any alarms and making the room as sound-proof as possible. You can also use a sleep mask and earplugs to help block out light and sound.
- Try not to consume alcohol or caffeine within four hours of going to sleep, so you don't waste precious hours staring the ceiling instead of snoozing.
- Don’t go to sleep straight away after getting home. Relax for a bit first and go to bed when your body starts telling you it’s time for rest.
2. Eat healthy, prepare meals and snacks
What you eat before a night shift can have an adverse effect on energy, stamina, and performance levels. It is important to choose the items that provide energy but do not cause sleepiness or a ‘crash-and-burn’ effect later on in the shift.
Consume light and smaller snacks frequently throughout the day with raw salads, nuts, fruit, and vegetables. Choose well-balanced meals that include high-protein, complex carbohydrate, and low-fat foods. Meal preps save the day when it’s difficult to find time to cook homemade food every day.
Always have snacks with you whilst on a night shift. Not all hospitals a 24-hour cafeteria to grab food and drinks while you are working. It’s important to maintain energy during your entire shift, and snacks can be a lifesaver on a long night. Bring your favourite grab-and-go snacks, protein powder, or shake mixes that are easy to eat when needed.
Additional tips for making beneficial dietary choices while on the night shift include:
- Opt for gluten-free options where possible. This will help to improve digestion, aid a healthy bowel system and stop you from feeling sluggish or bloated.
- Spend time browsing the health snack aisles in supermarkets or your local health food store for healthy snacks that give you a little sugar boost such as dried fruits, granola bars, sweets and fruit juices. Avoid consuming large amounts of refined sugar (such as doughnuts, cookies, and cakes), which can deliver an instant boost of energy but can also lead to extreme mood swings and a crash later on in a shift.
3. Let your close family and friends know
Pre-warning your family, friends, neighbours or flatmates you’re on nights can make your life easier and prevent them from distracting you. They can be mindful or think twice before sending you a message or calling you.
4. Stay hydrated with water
Simple yet very effective. Water is beneficial for your overall health and productivity. It regulates the flow of oxygen that reaches the brain and makes you more alert, focused and less tired.
As mentioned earlier, avoid huge amounts of caffeine and energy drinks as that can make you more dehydrated. If you do consume some, just balance it out with water.
5. Fit in some ‘me time’ and do your favourite things
Making sure you continue to do things you love and enjoy when you working nights is really important. It’s easy to get into a mundane routine of working, coming home, eating, sleeping, showering and then back to work. You almost become trapped in a vicious circle which can be hard to break.
From time to time, it’s worth getting up a little earlier or go to sleep a little later and do something that you enjoy and makes you feel better. It might just be meeting friends for dinner before you go to work or having a nice long bath, doing some gardening or reading. Whatever it is, you feel better for it because you're still going feel like you're living your life even though you're at work when everyone else is asleep.
In summary, there are many ways to make your night shifts as a nurse more tolerable. Sticking to a certain routine, having enough sleep, eating healthy and being hydrated are big factors to maintain a good lifestyle. It can be tough to reprogram your brain and body but it’s definitely not impossible!
Looking for a nursing job?
TLTP Medical are a framework nursing agency and are on many preferred supllier lists for NHS Trusts across the UK. Register here https://www.tltpmedical.co.uk/user/registration and we’ll help you find the right nursing role that give you a perfect work/life balance. If you prefer to have a chat with us, please call us on 020 8709 6553.
Earlier this week Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he took ‘full responsibility’ for the actions his government took after the UK’s COVID death toll passed 100,000.
He said he was “deeply sorry for every life lost” and the "did everything that we could to minimise suffering and minimise loss of life in this country as a result of the pandemic". But he said it was too soon to learn the lessons from the pandemic response.
Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty has admitted that England got key parts of its coronavirus response wrong. He highlighted medical advancements, while also admitting the Government acted too slowly on policies such as face masks rules.
Labour also criticised the prime minister for making "monumental mistakes" in delaying acting on scientific advice over lockdowns three times.
"A legacy of poor decisions"
Poor decisions made by the UK before and during the pandemic led to one of the worst death rates in the world, scientists have said.
Public health expert from the University of Edinburgh, Prof Linda Bauld, said the UK's current position was "a legacy of poor decisions that were taken when we eased restrictions".
Speaking to the BBC she said the lack of focus on test and trace and the "absolute inability to recognise" the need to address international travel led to a more deadly spread of the virus and also bringing in new strains.
Prof Sir Michael Marmot, who carried out a review of inequalities in Covid-19 deaths, said the UK had entered the pandemic "in a bad state" with rising health inequality, a slowdown in life expectancy improvements and a lack of investment in the public sector.
Shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth rejected Mr Johnson's claim that he had done "everything we could" to minimise the death toll, adding: "I do not accept that." He said the prime minister had been given scientific advice to impose lockdowns and "pushed that back" - not only in March but again in September and December.
The government also failed to create a working contact-tracing system, did not introduce effective health controls at the borders and still did not offer "proper sick pay", he said.
The UK could still face a further 50,000 more coronavirus deaths, a scientist has told the government.
'Sickened' NHS doctor scolds Boris Johnson after 'we did everything we could' comment
An NHS doctor has torn into Boris Johnson on Good Morning Britain after being left 'sickened' by his 'we did everything we could' comment. Dr Rachel Clarke, a palliative care doctor and author, blasted Boris for that comment, calling it an outright "lie."
"I was absolutely sickened when I heard him say that because it was patently and obviously a lie," Dr Clarke told Ben Shephard and Susanna Reid.
"He didn't lockdown promptly, he didn't close our boarders, he didn't protect our care homes, he threw vulnerable people to the wolves in care homes.
"He didn't do any of the things first time around that could have helped, and worse, he repeated the same mistakes the second time around.”
"All of us as doctors we are used to making difficult decisions and having to look people in the eye and say 'I'm sorry I have to tell you your loved one is dying' - we can't shirk that, that's leadership, that's being tough and doing a good job.”
"Boris Johnson stands up in front of the cameras and he doesn't even have the decency to brush his hair and he looks the country in the eye and he doesn't tell the truth.”
"It's heart-breakingly bad right now, it is so much worse than the first wave. First of all, staff are running on empty. They are broken, many have post-traumatic stress disorder from first time around," Dr Clarke said.
"Sometimes colleagues can even express suicidal thoughts because it is so hard. The hospitals are full to breaking point. Often the patients seem younger. Sometimes we have patients in their 20s and 30s in intensive care.”
"Pregnant women in intensive care with no other illnesses just coronavirus. Sometimes we will see three generations of one family in intensive care. They mixed at Christmas and now literally three generations you see them die one after another.”
"That is unimaginably bad. Before Christmas we were screaming from the rooftops 'please lockdown, please lockdown properly' and it didn't happen so here we are now with over 100,000 deaths - and part of the trauma for staff is that it didn't have to be like this."
When asked about the government's "legacy of poor decisions", Mr Johnson said ministers followed scientific advice and did everything they could to minimise suffering. He said there were "no easy solutions" but the UK could be proud of its efforts to distribute the vaccine.
Next month, we hope to see a detail of how the government will start lifting the lockdown, a senior government source told the BBC.
It will include factors such as the number of hospitalisations and deaths, the progress of the vaccination programme, any changes to the virus and the impact easing restrictions might have on the epidemic - but will be dependent on emerging data about how effectively the vaccine stops the virus spreading.
The UK has the highest death rate in Europe and is the fifth country to pass 100,000 deaths, coming after the US, Brazil, India and Mexico.
The mental health of NHS workers is on the brink
NHS healthcare workers are being pushed above and beyond their limits as a result of the rising no. of COVID-19 cases, limited resources and staff shortages.
Staff are both emotionally and physically exhausted and the psychological effects of the pandemic will have a lasting impact on their mental health. The impact of other pandemics such as the SARS is well noted, with increased rates of depression, burnout, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety.
Early warning walls were available on the impact of COVID-19 from China and Singapore. Data published from these countries detailed the mental effects the pandemic was having on healthcare workers. Mix this with pre-existing rates of stress-related illness, high suicide rates compared to other occupations and we have a perfect storm. With all this data available the UK was still unprepared.
To assess the factors associated with staff burnout during the COVID-19 pandemic a study of 2,707 healthcare workers identified these to be:
1. Feeling pushed beyond training
2. Exposure to Covid-19 patients
3. Making life-prioritising decisions
To deal with the intensity of the current wave, many staff have been redeployed again to areas such as ICU, with limited experience and training, with increased exposure to Covid-19 patients, and senior staff increasingly having to make life-prioritising decisions, such as whether someone is suitable to be admitted to ICU and go on a ventilator. Staff are doing this day-in and day-out, for months. It is not difficult to understand why our workforce is burning out.
A senior nurse based in a London emergency department reported to the Independent “We were seven short this morning. Some are sick with Covid, some are isolating and some have been off for weeks for mental health reasons. Every day we are relying on the goodwill of colleagues to come in to do extra shifts.”
“The extra support we had in the first wave, with free food, transport, and extra pay for additional shifts has been scrapped. Many of us are not from the UK, feel isolated and drained, and haven’t seen our families for eight or nine months. I have never seen so many nurses cry during shifts. Every shift is a struggle.”
Some healthcare workers have been forced to take prolonged sick leave for mental health reasons or have even resigned. “I have already been off long term for mental health reasons and I became so unwell, I attempted to take my own life,” another nurse said. “On my return, I’m being pushed to be redeployed. I was told I had a job to do and to get on with it. Many of us felt like lambs to the slaughter.”
The support provided to staff during the first wave, such as free parking, food, accommodation, access to psychologists and wellbeing hubs, is no longer in place at most trusts, at a time when the staff need it the most.
A report from the Royal College of Nursing Research Society in May 2020 showed 24% of 4,063 nurses and midwives across the UK, surveyed between 28 April and 12 May, said they were suffering severe or extremely severe depression. This is a dangerous situation for a profession that already had a high suicide rate before Covid-19 struck.
One senior nurse said: “I feel sorry for some of the junior staff. I remember I had to teach someone over the phone how to do non-invasive ventilation, as we didn’t have enough staff and I just couldn’t leave.”
“When junior nurses ask for help and feel overwhelmed, sometimes they are left by themselves to get on with it, as there just isn’t enough support. After months of this, I was forced to take a period of sick leave as I couldn’t cope anymore and felt so guilty.”
The pandemic has also had an impact on the next generation of doctors and healthcare workers. Many postgraduate exams are being cancelled or postponed as have some speciality recruitment interviews, which trainees have dedicated months preparing for. The uncertainty, unpredictability and the detriment to their career pathway has also contributed to psychological distress and burnout.
The goodwill of staff, on which the NHS has run on for many years, is running out. Over the coming weeks and months, the Covid surge is likely to continue. The government, key policy makers and local/national stakeholders must ensure that the mental health of staff is not neglected in the face of the rising Covid admissions and deaths, and that adequate support is in place to curb an impending mental health epidemic in the UK – the aftermath of which may see many staff members off on long-term sick leave or resigning completely.
If you’re concerned about yourself, a loved one or a colleague the NHS offers an urgent mental health helpline. To find your local helpline please visit https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/mental-health/find-an-urgent-mental-health-helpline.
For a full list of mental health services available from charities, organisations and support groups please visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/mental-health-helplines/.
Coping as a key worker during Covid-19
As we begin to feel the effects of a second wave of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic it can be extremely daunting for key workers to leave their home and go into work.
This page will give you some helpful tips on how to keep calm, focused and take care of your mental health and well-being.
During the coronavirus pandemic key workers (aka critical workers) and those whose are unable to work from home are required to go into their place of work.
Working under new conditions and might not be so easy and many can find it hard to cope with the new way of life. However, by doing small things for yourself you can make a massive difference to your mental health.
Understand difficult feelings and emotions
Going into work during the coronavirus pandemic might make if feel like a difficult and stressful time. Some of these feelings maybe new, or things you've experienced in the past. There is no right or wrong way to feel or react to your situation. But these are some common feelings that you might experience during this time:
Stress
Going into work during coronavirus might make you feel stressed, for example if you:
- come into contact with a lot of people, including those who may have coronavirus
- have more work to do or you are working longer hours than you normally would
- feel uncertain about keeping your job or worried about money
Some of these effects will be felt straight away. Other effects could take longer to notice, including after the stressful event has ended.
Anxiety
Feelings of anxiety may be felt because you are worried about your own health or the health of those around you, including those who you care for or live with. On top of this you may also have other worries such as losing your job or financial difficulties as a result of the coronavirus.
Guilt
If you are worried about spreading coronavirus you may feel guilty about going into work or you may feel guilty if your response to a particular situation was different to those around you or how you would have normally reacted.
But we all react to difficult situations in different ways, so it's important to be kind to yourself. These are unprecedented times and the first for all of us.
Anger
You might feel anger about having to go into work during coronavirus. This may be because:
- you have to go into work when others do not
- you have to keep working in an environment where you may catch coronavirus
- you don't feel supported by your employer to do your job
- you don't have the right equipment to do your job
- there are a lot of major changes in your life, including at work
When most of us experience anger, it doesn't have a big effect on our lives. Anger only becomes a problem when it gets out of control and harms you or the people around you.
Learning healthy ways to deal with anger can help your mental and physical health. Mind have some useful tips on how you can cope with anger.
Taking care of your mental health and wellbeing
Taking care of your mental health and wellbeing is vital in helping you cope if you are going into work during coronavirus. Working long hours or under a lot of pressure can make this even more challenging to do.
Doing small things for yourself can make a big difference to your mental wellbeing. These are some ideas you can try:
Connect with people
Talk to someone you can trust and rely on. Just by telling someone how you feel can make a difference even though they can’t change the situation.
Make plans to video chat with people or groups you enjoy the company of. Keeping in touch with others as much as you can be helpful and help you take your mind off things.
Use available support
It’s okay to ask for help if you are struggling with your mental health. You could talk to a helpline or listening service about your mental health:
Call, text or email Mind's Infoline for information and signposting to support your mental health
If you want to talk to someone at any time about how you're feeling, you can call Samaritans on 116 123
If you prefer not to talk, Shout has a textline supporting key workers and their mental health during coronavirus. Text the word KEYWORKER to 85258
Be cautious with news and information
Make sure you are getting your news from trusted sources. If news stories make you feel anxious or confused, think about switching off or limiting what you look at for a while.
Social media could help you stay in touch with people but might also make you feel anxious. This may include people sharing news stories that you want to avoid, or posting their worries about coronavirus. Consider taking a break or limiting how you use social media.
Make time for yourself where possible
It may feel very difficult to make time for yourself while you are working, particularly if you are working more than usual or if you are under a lot of pressure. You may feel guilty about relaxing while your colleagues are working. But making time for yourself is important for your physical and mental health. Try to use the time when you're not working to take care of yourself, as this can help you keep going when you are at work.
Mind have put together some ideas you could try:
Find ways to relax - If you're finding it difficult to switch off from work, try some relaxation exercises which you can try at home or if you are taking a break at work.
Do something you enjoy - Having something else to focus on outside work can help you stay well. This could be something small, like reading a book, colouring, having a video chat with a friend, having a bath or listening to music.
Try mindfulness- Mindfulness is a way of paying attention to the present moment, using techniques like meditation, breathing exercises and yoga. It has been shown to help people become more aware of their thoughts and feelings. This means that instead of being overwhelmed by your feelings, it becomes easier to manage them.
See Mind’s pages on mindfulness for more information, including some mindfulness exercises that you could try.
Try to keep active
Try to build physical activity into your daily routine, if possible. There are options for most ages and abilities. This includes things you can do in your home, as well as activities to try outdoors.
Getting active at home
These are lots of different ideas you could try for getting active around the house, including:
- cleaning your home
- dancing to music
- going up and down stairs
- seated exercises
- online exercise workouts that you can follow
- sitting less – if you notice you've been sitting down for a long time, just getting up or changing position can help
Getting active outdoors
If you are getting active outdoors, the current Government guidance for most of us is to stay a safe distance (at least 2 metres) from any people you don’t live with.
If you are self-isolating, the guidance is that you should not leave your house, even for exercise. But you can exercise in your garden, if you have one.
Look after your physical health
It may feel difficult to take care of your physical health if you're feeling busy or stressed. But looking after your physical health can have a big effect on your mental health. There are many small changes you can try to take care of your overall wellbeing:
Think about your sleep - establish a routine around bed time, to help set a regular sleeping pattern. Give yourself some tech-free time before sleep, avoiding bright screens. Practice a relaxation exercise before you go to bed. Make sure where you sleep is as comfortable as possible.
Eat regularly and stay hydrated - think about your diet. Your appetite might have changed since the start of lockdown. This may be because your routine has changed, for example if you’re working more than usual. If possible, try to eat regular meals and keep a balanced diet, as this can help your mood and energy levels. See our tips on food and mood for more information.
Drink water regularly - drinking enough water is important for your mental and physical health. Changing your routine might affect when you drink or what fluids you drink.
If you need to self-isolate because you have symptoms of coronavirus, you can ask someone to drop off essential food items for you. If they do this, ask them to leave food at your doorstep, to avoid face-to-face contact with each other. You may find that supermarkets feel busier than usual at the moment. If you're feeling anxious about going to the supermarket, arrange an online delivery.
Think self-care, sleep, routine, rest. You may find yourself working longer hours or more shifts so take care of your physical health as best you can.