Winter Wellbeing
We know that the winter months can present pressures and difficulties for us all. The dark nights may make us want to curl up and not do much, but the prospect of doing that is not a reality many of us have the luxury of indulging in.
But we are here to help you keep well this winter. Whether it is trying to keep your mental health in check, scrambling to get by day-to-day financially due to the ongoing unprecedented cost of living crisis, or seeking to combat the stresses of work life at the busiest time of year in healthcare, there is no doubt you will all be battling some sort of adversity at the moment.
We want to play our part to support you by highlighting a host of resources which all focus on mitigating some of the potential problems above that you may be facing.
Financial Wellness
Many of you may be struggling financially over the winter months. It is a sad reality that it is not always possible for some of us to pay bills and put food on the table, these are two things no one should ever be concerned about being able to do.
Thankfully, there is support out there for you to access and you can find some of these resources below:
LE Guide to financial wellbeing - this guide offers handy tips on how to make your money go further alongside links and resources to additional support. There's also a reminder on those all-important NHS offers and discounts that you have access to as an NHS colleague.
Home Electronics Scheme – you may also be able to qualify for the home electronics salary sacrifice scheme to get access to a selection of essential products for cut prices. This could be perfect for you especially in the run up to Christmas!
Mental Health Support
The winter months can take its toll on your mental health. With dropping temperatures and shorter days, we may feel the need to sleep for longer, notice a change in our appetite, or find it difficult to do things we normally enjoy.
To recognise some signs that your own, a family member, friend or colleagues’ mental wellbeing is being impacted, the mental health charity Mind provide this information and valuable tips on how you can help improve mental state.
You could also be suffering from work-related stress. NHS Employers detail the different types of stress, how stress can manifest, as well as providing top tips to support you.
It is also more likely for an individual to feel lonely during this period. These feelings should not simply be accepted. If you are one of the countless people worldwide who is suffering from isolation, there is support available.
The Campaign to End Loneliness can offer you help if you need it. They believe that people of all ages need connections that matter. There are nine million lonely people in the UK who lack the friendship and support we all need. Their vision is that everyone can live a life free from chronic loneliness.