The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has affected our day-to-day lives. Being active and taking more care to look after our families and ourselves, is now more important than ever.
The best way to do this is through a combination of keeping active, eating well and looking after mental health.
Staying active at home
There are lots of ways we can keep moving while we’re feeling well, whatever our age and whatever space available.
We can build activity into our day; gardening, chores like vacuuming, and climbing the stairs are all great ways to keep moving. There are lots of free resources available for support and inspiration.
Online exercise classes
Our weekly programme offers a wide range of different physical activity sessions which can be accessed via any laptop, smartphone or suitable connected device. We hope that the programme can support people to take part in physical activity on a regular basis with our friendly tutors. Check out all the sessions at the Bedford Sport Live website.
- Bedford Sport Live - programme offering a wide range of activities which are streamed live at set times. Add structure and routine to your day by joining the class and progressing your health and wellbeing.
- Keyboard Warriors - it's important to take short breaks whilst working from home and to stretch your body. 15 mins will help to refresh your thoughts and energise you for the rest of the day.
- engAGE together - specialist chair-based programme is designed to be very gentle and interactive. All sessions are delivered seated and have a focus on social interaction and mental wellbeing.
The Higgins Bedford is inviting residents to get inspired through its Sketch Friday and virtual knitting group.
Top tips to help you stay active while at home
- Buddy up - if you can buddy up with someone in your household or virtually it can make home workouts more fun and keep each other motivated.
- Build activity into your daily routine.
- Get active your way - we’re all different, find the activity that works for you
More information for specific groups and types of activities to suit you:
Your Wellbeing Bedfordshire
The Community Referral (Social Prescribing) Service supports adults to access help and information to meet social, practical, emotional and economic needs, and helps them to manage their own health and wellbeing. The service will accept self-referrals.
Protect your mental health
The easing of restrictions may bring mixed feelings. You may be happy about being able to resume the things you enjoy like playing sports, getting back to work, seeing friends and family. But you may also be feeling worried about the lifting of restrictions.
You may move through a range of feelings and thoughts:
- Relieved or excited
- Stressed and unprepared
- Anxious or afraid
- Angry or frustrated
- Conflicted or confused
- Protective of your lockdown routine
These feelings are reasonable and expected. Share your concerns with others you trust, or you could try one of the helplines listed on this sheet. You may have to learn to cope with new and changing situations, so take things at your own pace, be kind to yourself and look after your mental wellbeing during this time. This will help you process and manage the feelings you are experiencing.
It is important to note that if you are really struggling with your mental health and it is disrupting your everyday life seek professional help, talk to your GP.
If you or someone you know needs urgent mental health support, you can call 111 option 2.
See more about looking after your mental health
Bereavement support during COVID-19 pandemic
Bereavement, grief and loss can cause many different symptoms and they affect people in different ways. It is a difficult experience in any situation and the Coronavirus pandemic means it is taking place under very challenging circumstances. Because of this, it is really important that people bereaved by any cause at this time are cared for and receive support.
We know that early self-care, and care from others, can mean that it is easier, over time, to make a recovery, with good mental health. Read more about the support available in our Bereavement Support Information leaflet. (PDF)
Eating healthy to stay healthy
Eating a healthy, balanced diet and keeping active are important to maintain good health and wellbeing across all ages. Let’s use this experience to develop our cooking skills, try some new healthy recipes and have some fun with the whole family.
Top tips for healthy eating:
- Don’t panic buy – there is enough food to go around. Just purchase what you need for a week.
- Aim to eat 5 portions a day of fruit and vegetables. Tinned, dried and frozen fruit and vegetables also count, and try having fruit as a snack or add extra veg to your meals.
- Drink plenty of water. The Eatwell Guide says an adult should drink 6 to 8 glasses of fluid a day. Water, lower fat milk and sugar-free drinks, including tea and coffee, all count.
See more advice on healthy eating
The information above has been created using advice from the NHS, Public Health England, Sport England and Government COVID-19 guidelines.
