Post on 04-Oct-2020
transcript
STAFF HEALTH& WELLBEING
GUIDANCE linked to
CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)
CONTENTS1. Supporting EA Staff at this time 3
2. PHA latest advice 4
3. Self-help Strategies during social distancing to support; 5
• Healthy Minds
• Healthy Bodies
• Social Health - Staying connected • Giving Back • Financial Wellbeing
4. Tips to support you while you Work from Home 10
5. Other Social Distancing hints and tips 11
6. Helpful contacts and relevant EA Community Partners 13
2 Staff Health & Wellbeing Guidance - Linked to Coronavirus (COVID-19)
EA has developed this resource to support staff health and wellbeing during this time of uncertainty. There is a particular focus on supporting staff to take proactive self-care linked to the following circumstances
• EAstaffworkingincriticalareas• EAstaffworkingfromhome• Linemanagerssupportingstaffremotely
To assist staff EA has introduced • Arangeofalternativeworkingarrangementsincluding;homeworkingwherepossibleandalternativeworking
patternsandminimalstaffingarrangementsasappropriate• Remotemeetingsincludingnewtechnologiese.g.Zoomtoensurestaffcanstayintouch• AnewHealthandWellbeingonlinedigitalsolution,EAHealthWell,providingawiderangeofsupportlinked
toCOVID-19andotherwellbeingmattershttps://healthwell.eani.org.uk/• COVID-19FrequentlyaskedQuestions-thelatestversionisavailableat https://www.eani.org.uk/covid-19-questions-and-answers• PayandAbsenceGuidancelinkedtoCOVID-19-thelatestversionisavailableat https://www.eani.org.uk/sites/default/files/2020-03/Guidance%20on%20Absence%20%20-%2020%20
March%202020.pdf
Duringtheseunprecedentedtimesitismoreimportantthanevertomaketheextraefforttostaybothmentallyandphysicallywell.Thisresourceaimstooffersupport,helpfulhintsandtipsabouthowbesttocopewiththenowandmovingforwardinapositiveandproactivefashion.
Wehavearangeofstaffallmanagingtheirownindividualcircumstanceslinkedtothispandemic.Theneedtomanageouranxietylevelsandstaywellhasneverbeenmoreimportant.Thisresourcecontainshelpfulsignpostingforthoseexperiencinghighoflevelsofanxietyand/orstressduringthischallengingtime.
1 Supporting EA Staff at this time
Staff Health & Wellbeing Guidance - Linked to Coronavirus (COVID-19) 3
4 Staff Health & Wellbeing Guidance - Linked to Coronavirus (COVID-19)
How to Prevent Catching & SpreadingCoronavirus (Covid - 19)
Follow these tips to prevent yourself from catching Covid-19, or potentially spreading the virus to others
2. PHA Latest Advice
Forfurtherinformationonhowtostaysafepleaseseebelow•Coronavirus(COVID-19):UKGovernmentresponseCLICKHERE•WorldHealthOrganisationCOVID-19adviceforthePublicCLICKHERE•NorthernIrelandAdvicefromthePublicHealthAgencyCLICKHERE
1. Spend timedoingthingsyouenjoye.g.reading,cookingorotherstimulatinghobbies.
2. Mood.Longperiodsoftimeatindoorscanaffectone’smoodandmotivationlevels.Trytogetplentyoffreshair.Spendtimeoutsidee.g.inthegardeninkeepingwithsocialdistancingrequirements.
3. Know yourself.Drawuponyourownskillsthathavehelpedyouthroughpreviouslifechallenges-theywillbeagreatassettohelpyoumanageyouremotionsduringthistime.
4. Manage your expectations.Beflexiblewithyourtime–thisisanewworldandyouarejugglingmanynewchallenges.Showcompassionforyourfamily,friendsandcolleaguesastheyarealldealingwiththisunprecedentedchallengeintheirownway.
5. Book and make use of your annual leave(wherepossible)toensureyoutaketimetoinvestinyourwellbeingandre-energise.
THEME 1 - Supporting Healthy Minds
3. Self-help Strategies during social distancing
Earlier this year EA launched its first all staff focused Health and Wellbeing Strategy. In light of COVID-19 we have developed some tailored health and wellbeing advice linked to the strategy’s key health intervention themes.
6. Take Notice.ThisisoneoftheNHS’sFiveStepstoMentalWellbeing.Takingtimetobeobservant,pause,savour‘themoment’andtakenotice,willbroadenyourawarenessandhelpyoureflectonlifeprioritiesandwhatisimportanttoyou.Workonbeingmoreawareoftheworldaroundyouasresearchshowsthatbeingawareofwhatiscurrentlytakingplaceandappreciatingthepresentcanenhanceyourself-understandingandhelpyoumakepositivechoices.
Take some time to enjoy the present, the moment and environment around you today by:
Observewhatispleasantaboutyoursurroundings
Noticewhatisbeautiful,new,unusualorextraordinaryinyourlife
Takenoticeofothersfeelingsorbehaviours
Clearsomeclutter
Getaplantforyourworkspaceetc…
Staff Health & Wellbeing Guidance - Linked to Coronavirus (COVID-19) 5
6 Staff Health & Wellbeing Guidance - Linked to Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Acknowledge
Pause
Pull back
Let go
Explore
A mindful response to thoughts
APPLE
EXPLORE-Explorethepresentmoment,becauserightnow,inthismoment,alliswell.Noticeyourbreathingandthesensationsofyourbreathing.Noticethegroundbeneathyou.Lookaroundandnoticewhatyousee,whatyouhear,whatyoucantouch,whatyoucansmell.Rightnow.Thenshiftyourfocusofattentiontosomethingelse-onwhatyouneedtodo,onwhatyouweredoingbeforeyounoticedtheworry,ordosomethingelse-mindfullywithyourfullattention.
When you are anxious, don’t forget you can:
Ask for help - don’t feel embarrassed to seek help for your mental health
Access free 24/7 counselling
https://www.inspirewellbeing.org/Tel:08088000002
Access the EA Health Well Hub https://healthwell.eani.org.uk/
Make contact with the Health and Wellbeing teamhttps://www.eani.org.uk/ea-staff-hub/hr-online/
health-wellbeing
Complete an online Mindfulness class through the Health Well Hub
https://healthwell.eani.org.uk/news/mind/daily-mindfulness-sessions-ea-staff
7. Stay mentally active/ keep learning. Settingchallengesandgoalsandengaginginadultlearninghasbeenfoundtoimprovewellbeing.
Socontinuelearningandtakeonanewchallenge.Someexamplesareprovidedbelow:
• Rediscoveranoldhobby • Signupforanonlinecourse • Learnanewlanguage • Learntoplayaninstrument • Cooknewfoods • Offertotakeonadifferentresponsibilityin
work • Readabook • Setupavirtualbookclub • Access‘Howto’videosonlinetolearnanew
craftorhobby • ListentoPodcasts
8. Managing Anxiety• Gettherightinformation.Onlyfollownewsand
updatesfromtrustedsourcesforexamplerealexperts,governmentandNHSwebsites.Thiscanhelpreducesomeunnecessaryanxietyandfear.Knowandunderstandtheguidancearoundsocialdistancinginsideandoutsideoftheworkplace
• Limittheamountoftimewatchingthenews,mediacoverageandcheckingforupdates–thiscanaddtoanxiety.
• Considerturningoffsomeofyournotificationse.g.onsocialmediaifyouarefindingtheinformationoverloadoverwhelming
Ifyouarefeelingoverlyconcernedandneedadditionalhelptomanageyouranxiety,youcanalsotrypracticingthefollowingAPPLEtechnique(encouragesyoutoAcknowledge,Pause,Pullback,LetgoandExplore) ACKNOWLEDGE -Noticeandacknowledgetheuncertaintyasitcomestomind.PAUSE-Don’treactasyounormallydo.Don’treactatall.Justpauseandbreathe.PULL BACK-Tellyourselfthisisjusttheworrytalking,andthisapparentneedforcertaintyisnothelpfulandnotnecessary.Itisonlyathoughtorfeeling.Don’tbelieveeverythingyouthink.Thoughtsarenotstatementsorfacts.LET GO -Letgoofthethoughtorfeeling.Itwillpass.Youdon’thavetorespondtothem.Youmightimaginethemfloatingawayinabubbleorcloud.
LIFESTYLE1. Maintainahealthylifestyleandroutine.See
TipstosupportyouwhileyouWorkfromHome(section4)
NUTRITION AND HYDRATION2. Eathealthyandwell-balancedmeals,drink
plentyofwater.Toavoidunnecessaryjourneys(inlinewithgovernmentinstruction)andtosupporthealthynutrition,remembertoplanyourshoppingeffectively.
PRIORITISE SLEEP3. Sleepiscrucialtohelpyoubothphysicallytobe
morealertandmentallytocopewiththisperiodofuncertainty.
MAINTAIN OR IMPROVE EXERCISE LEVELS 4. Ofteninperiodofuncertaintyandstressone
candeprioritisetheneedforregularexercise.Inperiodsoflifestylerestrictionexerciseisanimportantwaytokeepthebodyhealthy,ensuregoodenergylevelsandsupportthemind.Adequateexerciseisessentialtosupportingwellbeing,lowersdepressionandslowsdowncognitivedecline.Engageinregularexercisethatsuitsyourlevelofmobilitye.g.goforacontrolledwalk,arun,cycle,playagame,dosomegardeningordance.
THEME 2 - Supporting Healthy Bodies
Staff Health & Wellbeing Guidance - Linked to Coronavirus (COVID-19) 7
OTHER IDEAS5. Whynottrysome: • Onlineworkoutvideos • Yoga • BodyBalance • TiKToKwithyourchildren • Walktothelocalshopforessentialsupplies • Runupanddownthestairs • Skippingoutdoors • Createacircuitofexerciseinyourgarden
SUBSTANCES 6. Trytoavoidorlimitsubstanceswhichcanhave
anegativeeffectonthebodyorminde.g.Smoking,alcoholanddrugs.See section 6 for more information on support for substance related addiction.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT 7. Keepyourwindowsopentoensureregular
ventilationandgetsomenaturalsunlight
8. Whenworkingfromhomeensureyourworkstationissetupupcorrectlytosupportgoodposture-see Appendix A
STAYING CONNECTED
NotablyoneoftheNHS’sFiveStepstoMentalWellbeing.Socialrelationshipsarefundamentaltoone’swellbeing.Thereforeintimesofsociallimitsweneedtomakeextraeffortstoconnectbyothermeanswithfamily,friends,colleaguesandneighbours.
Embracingthelivelyvirtualsocialsceneisonewaytoimprovethis.Usethemultipleonlineplatformstostayconnected.
Social distancing does not mean social disconnecting!
THEME 3 - Social Health
8 Staff Health & Wellbeing Guidance - Linked to Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Social distancing does not mean social disconnecting!
Effectiveformsofcommunicationduringsocialdistancinginclude• UseFaceTime/Whatsapp/Skype/Zoomorother
onlineplatformstoseepeopleinrealtime• Email• Telephone• Useinstantmessaging/chats
Whilstyourprioritywillbecontactwithfamilyandclosefriendsyoucouldusethisasanopportunitytoreachouttothoseyouhavebeenmeaningtocontactforsometime.
Thoseworkingfromhomeshouldutilisesomeofthesechannelstostayintouchwithcolleaguesasrequired.
Inst
ant Messaging/Chats
W
hatsapp
Skype
Facetime
Te
lephone
@
ZOOM
Gettinginvolvedinactsofkindnessisproventoincreasewellbeingandprovidesfurtheropportunitiestoconnectwithpeople.Inthecurrentglobalpandemic,thereisnoshortageofactsofkindnessandopportunitiesyoucanengageintohelpothers,fore.g.
• VolunteerwithinrelevantEducationalsettingslinkedtotheEducationMinister’sdirectiontoprovidesupporttokeyworkers
• Offertosupportaneighbourorthevulnerableinself-isolationbypickingupgroceriesandprescriptions(whilestillfollowingguidancetopreventthespreadofCOVID-19)
MoreinformationonhowyoucangetinvolvedinsupportingtheNHSwillbeprovidedshortly.
Staff Health & Wellbeing Guidance - Linked to Coronavirus (COVID-19) 9
THEME 4 - Giving Back
ForsometheCOVID-19pandemicwillhavepresentedoraddedtotheirfinancialworries.
ItlooksliketheCOVID-19impactwillbefeltforsometimeandthere’sstillalotofuncertaintyaswemoveforward.Themoreyoucandonowtoplanaheadwillsaveyoutimeandenergy–andimportantly,money!
Tohelpyougetstarted,EAhasaddedanumberofresourcestoEAHealthWellwhichisavailabletoallstaffviayourdeviceorPC.
AlloftheseresourceshavebeenprovidedinresponsetothispandemicbylocalexpertsourcessuchasAdviceNI,TheMoneyAdviceService,theConsumerCouncilandmore.
Some useful links have been provided below;
https://healthwell.eani.org.uk/news/financial-health/coronavirus-and-your-money
https://healthwell.eani.org.uk/news/financial-health/coronavirus-important-consumer-advice-travel-home-energy-and-lots-more
https://healthwell.eani.org.uk/news/financial-health/understanding-universal-credit-awareness-sessions
https://healthwell.eani.org.uk/content/budget-planner
£
£
THEME 5 - Financial Wellbeing
BUILD A NEW ROUTINE
• GetReadyforworkatyourusualtime
• Getdressed(evenforworkingfromhome)
• Establishaspaceathometoworkfrom
• Planyourdayorweek-Structurethetasksyouaregoingtodofortheday/weekinadvanceandgiveyourselfgoalsforeachday
• Organiseanewplanforwhatyourregularworkdaylookslike.Ensurescheduled‘worktime’aswellasscheduledtimetostop-’checkout’time.Defineyourafter-hours,sothatyoucandrawtheline
• Buildingclarityaroundyourworkloadwillhelppeoplespendlesstimethinkingaboutitandbeinganxiouswhenitismappedout
• Taketimeawayfromyourdesk-takesometimeawayfromthescreen
• Considerswappingyournormalcommutetraveltimeforawalk(whilemaintainingsocialdistancing),somefreshairorbreakfastinthegarden
10 Staff Health & Wellbeing Guidance - Linked to Coronavirus (COVID-19)
4. Tips to support you while you Work from Home
• Check-inwithyourcolleagues-Learnthelanguageofemoji’s.Findouthowyourcolleaguesaredoing
• Takeregularbreakstoavoidburnout-getupandmoveaboutregularly
• Tellyourcolleagueswhenyouplantogoofflineasthiswillhelpminimisedisruptions
• Whenatwork,stayfocussedasthiswillhelpnavigatethroughthischallenge.
Working remotely or from home presents new challenges and potential stress and anxiety. While we adjust to this new way of working, please find a series of tips to create a new work day routine to help you during this evolving time:
There are also a series of helpful tips and guidance to support you in setting up for remote working successfully.
A number of tips are included to aid line managers in supporting their teams to work remotely.
Please see the following infographic for helpful tips and suggestions.
Staff Health & Wellbeing Guidance - Linked to Coronavirus (COVID-19) 11
Making Remote Working Successful
12 Staff Health & Wellbeing Guidance - Linked to Coronavirus (COVID-19)
SOCIAL DISTANCING AT WORK KnowandbefamiliarwiththeDo’sandDon’tsofSocialDistancingwhileintheworkplace.
InadditiontosocialdistancingthereareothervitalwaysthatyoucanhelptopreventcatchingandspreadingCOVID-19.Refer back to Section 2 for more information.
5. Other Social Distancing Hints and Tips
Social Distancing in the WorkplaceSocial distancing means avoiding close contact with others to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and include:
Sitting at least 2 meters apart if you are
in the o�ce, leave spare desks in
between if you can
Limiting,postponing,
or cancelling all face to face
meetings
Remote / Work from home,
where possible, limit the time you do attend
the o�ce
Conductingmeetings virtually but keep in touch with line
managers and team members
No non essential travel
Stick to all Government advice and guidance with
regards to exercise and shopping etc
Help contain the spread of the coronavirus, keep up to date with EA information at www.eani.org.uk/sta�
Come to work if you are experiencing
symptoms, please check PHA website
Sta� Must Not:
Congregate with other sta� for any reason
Make food, tea/co�ee for other colleagues
Access areas that have been sealed o�
without prior approval of the duty manager
Crowd another colleague’s space -
maintain 2 metres at all times
Social Distancing in the WorkplaceSocial distancing means avoiding close contact with others to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and include:
Sitting at least 2 meters apart if you are
in the o�ce, leave spare desks in
between if you can
Limiting,postponing,
or cancelling all face to face
meetings
Remote / Work from home,
where possible, limit the time you do attend
the o�ce
Conductingmeetings virtually but keep in touch with line
managers and team members
No non essential travel
Stick to all Government advice and guidance with
regards to exercise and shopping etc
Help contain the spread of the coronavirus, keep up to date with EA information at www.eani.org.uk/sta�
Come to work if you are experiencing
symptoms, please check PHA website
Sta� Must Not:
Congregate with other sta� for any reason
Make food, tea/co�ee for other colleagues
Access areas that have been sealed o�
without prior approval of the duty manager
Crowd another colleague’s space -
maintain 2 metres at all times
Social Distancing in the WorkplaceSocial distancing means avoiding close contact with others to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and include:
Sitting at least 2 meters apart if you are
in the o�ce, leave spare desks in
between if you can
Limiting,postponing,
or cancelling all face to face
meetings
Remote / Work from home,
where possible, limit the time you do attend
the o�ce
Conductingmeetings virtually but keep in touch with line
managers and team members
No non essential travel
Stick to all Government advice and guidance with
regards to exercise and shopping etc
Help contain the spread of the coronavirus, keep up to date with EA information at www.eani.org.uk/sta�
Come to work if you are experiencing
symptoms, please check PHA website
Sta� Must Not:
Congregate with other sta� for any reason
Make food, tea/co�ee for other colleagues
Access areas that have been sealed o�
without prior approval of the duty manager
Crowd another colleague’s space -
maintain 2 metres at all times
POSITIVE THINGS TO DO WHILE SOCIAL DISTANCING
Inadditiontothesuggestionsabove,hereareanumberofsuggestionswhichwillsupportyourwellbeingthroughengaginginpositiveactivitywhilemaintainingSocialDistancingguidelines:
• Familytime• BoardGames• Meditation• Journaling–yourthoughts,adailybraindump,reflections• HaveaBath• Exercise–seesection3theme2• Startingaprojecte.g.handmadecards• Chores• ListentoMusic• GratitudeExercise• Arts&Crafts• Dancing• PositiveQuotes• 5MinuteBreathingexercise• Paintingbynumbers• Colouringinforgrownups
Staff Health & Wellbeing Guidance - Linked to Coronavirus (COVID-19) 13
POSITIVESMILEATTITUDE
OPTIMISM
HAPPINESSTHINKING
STRENGTHIDEAS
CHOICE
GOALSLIFESTYLE
ENGAGE
14 Staff Health & Wellbeing Guidance - Linked to Coronavirus (COVID-19)
URGENT HELP• Samaritans–116123
• Lifeline–08088088000
• Childline–08001111
• SocialServices–030001000300
• InspireWellbeing(free24/7counselling)https://www.inspirewellbeing.org/ Tel:08088000002
OTHER SUPPORT• EmployersforDisabilityNI-Adviceforgroupswithspecificmentalhealthneedsduringthecoronavirus
situation-http://efdni.org/2020/03/30/advice-for-groups-with-specific-mental-health-needs-during-coronavirus-situation/
• EAHealthWellHub-https://healthwell.eani.org.uk/
• EAHealthandWellbeingteam-https://www.eani.org.uk/ea-staff-hub/hr-online/health-wellbeing
• AwareNIarealsoofferingonlinesupportgroups-https://www.aware-ni.org/how-we-can-help-you/aware-ni-online-support-groups
• MentalHealthFoundation-https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/
• Supportyouandyourfamily-http://www.familysupportni.gov.uk
• WomensAidNI-https://www.womensaidni.org/domestic-violence/what-is-domestic-violence/
• SupportforyourMentalHealth-https://www.mindingyourhead.info/
AnxietyUKhttps://www.anxietyuk.org.uk/products/anxiety-condition/health-anxiety/health-anxiety-fact-sheet-instant-download/ContactAnxietyUKbyemail(support@anxietyuk.org.uk)orbycallingthehelplineon03444775774betweentheopeninghoursof9.30am–PublicHealthAgency’sMindingYourHeadserviceathttps://www.mindingyourhead.info/
Ifyouarefeelingconcernedoroverlyworriedtherearesometechniquesyoucanusetohelpmanageyouranxietysuchassimplebreathingor(short-term)distractionexercisesandmindfulness.Afreeguideisavailabletodownloadfromtheorganisation,AnxietyUKhttps://www.anxietyuk.org.uk/products/booklet/breathing-and-relaxation-guide/
6. Helpful Contacts and relevant EA Community Partners
Appendix ACorrect setup for workstations to support good posture
POSTURE TIPS FOR LAPTOP USERS
Herearesomewaysyoucanmakeyourlaptopsaferandmorecomfortabletouse:
• useaseparatekeyboardandmousesothelaptopcanbeputonastandandthescreenopenedateyelevel
• useyourlaptoponastablebasewherethereissupportforyourarms,andnotonyourlap
• takeregularbreaks.Ifyou’removing,there’salotlessstressonyourmusclesandjoints
• sitproperlywithlowerbacksupport,andensureotherdeskequipmentiswithinreach
• getintogoodhabitsbeforetheachingstarts.Neck,shoulderandbackproblemsgraduallybuildupovertime
For more information click here https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/posture-tips-for-laptop-users/
Screenoneyelevel
Footrest
Paddinginfrontofkeyboard
Thighsparalleltofloor