We often talk about the five-a-day for your mental health and in this video Jen has adjusted for this particular situation we’re in right now.
Category: Covid-19
Managing routines while working from home
Having a routine is good for our wellbeing. It creates structure in our week and gives us a sense of purpose. Routine also makes it easier to do the things that are important to us.
With schools and colleges closed, work situations changing, and physical distancing, many people are struggling with daily life feeling quite different.
We can use routine as a way to support our mental health at this time.
Listen: Feelings of anxiety
Listen to Jen, Jigsaw clinician, talk about feelings of anxiety and what we can do about them.
Ramadan during lockdown
Karima, a Jigsaw volunteer gives her story
Friday, 24 April was the first day of Ramadan for me and many other Muslims around the world.
This Ramadan will be different to the many others I’ve experienced, due to the current lockdown situation.
Throughout the month of Ramadan, most Muslims won’t eat or drink between dawn and sunset. This is known as fasting and it is one of the Five Pillars of Islam; alongside Faith, prayer, charity and doing Hajj (a journey to the city of Mecca). Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. As we use the lunar calendar, its date changes on a yearly basis that is based on the different moon cycles.
Developing routines for the family
It makes sense to try to retain a level of stability in an uncertain world. But, developing a routine to suit everyone in the household can be a real challenge.
Webinar: Supporting young people to stay positive
We ran a webinar for parents on Monday, 27 April where two Jigsaw clinicians gave a presentation on supporting young people to stay positive and motivated. They then took questions from parents about what was going on for them.
The lockdown has gone on longer than any of us could have foreseen at the beginning and is now what people are calling the ‘new normal’. However, it can still feel far from normal particularly with things like school, college and work suspended, uncertain or over in some cases.
Keeping yourself and the young people in your life positive and motivated right now can take a bit of of extra work. Hopefully, this webinar covers useful tips for you to try at this time.
Webinar: Supporting your own mental health in lockdown
We ran a webinar for parents where two Jigsaw clinicians gave a presentation about supporting your mental health while social distancing. They then took questions from parents about what was going on for them.
The new measures can still throw up a lot of uncertainty and disappointment about plans that either have to postponed, or canceled. Keeping yourself and the young people in your life positive and motivated right now can take a bit of of extra work. Hopefully, this webinar covers useful tips for you to try at this time.
Webinar: Helping young people manage disappointment
We ran a webinar for parents about helping young people manage disappointment. In this recording, Maebh and Dan gave a short presentation. They then took questions from parents. The video above is a recording.
Feeling anxious as society reopens
Lockdown life since March 2020 brought about many changes for all of us. The easing of restrictions may be very welcome but can bring some feelings of anxiety along with them.
One of the biggest changes for the last year was our social interactions. The on-again off-again seeing people outside the home, led to some creative ways to stay connected. But, it has been a challenge for many to not be able to visit their support systems.
Looking forward to the end of lockdown
If someone told you last Christmas about an impending global pandemic, where people were encouraged to stay at home you would have thought it was science fiction.
Faced with challenging times, we can look for different options to help. Sometimes it’s good to work out what we need in the moment and at that time for support. Other times it can be good to plan for things to look forward to, or work out what’s important to us for the future.
We asked some of our young volunteers around Ireland about what they were looking forward to and wanted to share some of these with you.
Family and friends
Unsurprisingly, a lot of our volunteers mention friends and family.
I’m looking forward to spending time with my family and friends after lockdown. Aisling O’ (18) Meath
Seeing my friends and going shopping. Amina Abdallgany (17) Meath
I am excited to see and spend time with my friends and family. Annemarie Driver (20) Meath
Going back to work, seeing my family and friends. Emily (18) Donegal
Seeing my friends. Daragh Nerney
Being able to go see my granny, friends and extended family members. Ruth O’Dea, Clare/Galway
Hugging my nieces and seeing my family and friends. Visiting my boyfriend whom I haven’t seen in over 4 months. Keith Judge (24) Dublin
Seeing my nana and giving her a hug. I saw her everyday after work and I miss that. Nicola (19) Dublin
I cannot wait to see my friends and family when this is all over! My godson was born the first week of lockdown so I am yet to meet him! This young volunteer has chosen to be anonymous.
Spending time with my friends. Yvonne (24) Limerick
I’m most looking forward to giving all my family and friends and big hug and spending time with them again. Mark (22) Dublin