Kids
These are very unusual times and although we have had student free days before and holidays, we have never had to spend so much time away from our friends and our usual activities which break our days up. It is important to think about how you will spend your time so that you have a variety of things to do and don’t get totally disconnected from your world.
Go to the Reachout website for some great tips and ideas. They have 10 ways to take care of yourself. The website will explain each one in detail.
https://au.reachout.com/articles/10-ways-to-take-care-of-yourself-during-coronavirus
1. Stay Active
2. Take 10 to be Zen
3. Chat with your mates
4. Check out our forums
5. Make a homemade meal
6. Take a break from the news
7. Make a music playlist
8. Declutter for 5 minutes
9. Watch or read something uplifting
10. Learn something new
And remember … if it is all getting a bit too much, ring KidsHelpline or go online to eheadspace or kidshelpline to chat to someone anonymously.
Parents
The Australian Government’s “Head to Health” website has a wealth of information and support for parents during this time of social distancing, isolation and restricted travel, and of course, having children at home a lot more. Try to minimise conflict in the home. Relax some house rules if it makes life easier for everyone (that doesn’t mean for parents to do all the dishes!). Have ice cream for breakfast, make a batch of green playdough, ask each person for a crazy idea. Inject fun.
https://headtohealth.gov.au/covid-19-support/covid-19
They have lots of ideas around how to:
1. Maintain a healthy lifestyle
2. Stay informed
3. Stay positive
4. Access support
5. Talk to children about Covid 19
They also have a separate page about some emotional skills to help you cope with the anxiety and worry so many of us feel around what is currently going on.
Teachers
Teachers are just as impacted as anyone else with what is happening around the world, but there is an expectation that you also look out for your students, their parents and your own families.
The Black Dog Institute offers articles, digital tools and information and resources to give you an array of options to manage stressful and anxious feelings about the short, medium and long term impact that all the restrictions around managing Covid 19 in our communities requires.
https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/coronavirus-anxiety-resources
It is difficult to help others if we are feeling depleted ourselves. Please take care of yourselves, access support as you need it, stay up to date with developments and follow the advice of professionals around what you can do to minimise risk to yourselves and others.