Make sure to reach out for support
Looking after your ment a l h e a l t h is important at the best of times, but, during this period of uncertainty, it’s more vital than ever to make sure you’re caring for yourself as well as others.
The daily walk for exercise we can all do just now isn’t just for keeping your body fit – it’s important for keeping your mind fit as well. Even a quick stroll round the block can be enough to de-stress and unwind after days that most of us will at some point find incredibly hard.
It’s tempting to stay glued to rolling news and social media to try and keep up to date with the latest developments – but step away from the screens as much as you can and focus on the things that make you happy and help get away from the relentless updates.
Make sure the sources you read are the real deal, not conspiracy theorists hammering away from their basements.
Breathing Space has had its hours extended and capacity increased to make sure we all have access to the support and tools we need to help us get through this situation.
Breathing Space is Scotland’s helpline if you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed and need someone to talk to – call 0800 83 85 87 any evening or over the weekend and make sure you’re getting the help and space you need.
Breathing Space is just one service that’s been extended to do more during the coronavirus pandemic.
Carers continue to play a crucial role in helping their family and friends and, as a result, the Carers Scotland helpline has been expanded to give more capacity as calls increase by 60 per cent over recent weeks. You can call on 0808 808 7777 if you need their help or advice.
Meanwhile, I was glad to see Scotland’s small business support scheme extended to provide more help for more businesses.
Small businesses, particularly on our high streets, are the lifeblood of our economy and, once things begin returning to normal, we will need them there to supply the goods and services we’ll need.
No business is immune to the situation, but making sure as many as possible are still standing once we’re through the other side is how we can protect jobs and livelihoods in the longer term.
In my last column I mentioned Donald Trump and the ongoing disaster he is directing.
The scenes of armed extremists taking to the streets defending their right to catch coronavirus showed the perils of electing the simple-minded to high office.
Whatever the challenges we face here – and there are many – I am glad we live in a country that treats elected politics seriously and understands that there are no easy options at a time like this, rather than have a failed game show presenter oversee the biggest public health catastrophe in American history.
At the risk of being accused of sooking up to the boss, I’m particularly proud of our First Minister.
During a crisis that no politician can compare to any point in their term of office, she has been honest, direct, and straightforward with us since the beginning of this pandemic.
Like us all, every day for her will be hard and filled with tough decisions, but I am glad she is the one making them right now.
These times are tough for us all, but the only way we can get through them safely is by acting collectively and as a community to support each other and our frontline services.
Stay safe and look out for each other – and yourself.