Stockport Council and partners are encouraging residents to get into some healthy habits this national Self Care Week, held 16 – 22 November 2020, as another way for residents to take personal control over Covid-19 and their long-term health.
Making small changes and ‘living self-care for life’, the theme of this year’s week, has significant benefits, from improving your mental health to ensuring sedentary lifestyles don’t become established.
There are a variety of ways to keep healthy while following government restrictions, including:
- Looking after your emotional wellbeing and mental health, from calling friends and family to say ‘hi’, taking up a new hobby or project, getting tips from resources like Every Mind Matters, to utilising local services such as Open Door (open 24/7, ph: 0800 138 7276);
- Ensuring you keep moving and active to avoid sedentary lifestyles, improve sleep, and improve your physical and mental health;
- Maintaining a healthy and balanced diet;
- Getting support to stop smoking or reduce how much alcohol you drink.
Importantly – and perhaps most crucially – if you do have unexplained symptoms, have noticed any changes or have concerns about your health, you should speak to your GP; they will want to help you.
Jennifer Connolly, Stockport Council’s Director of Public Health said:
This has been a challenging year for us all, changing the way we live and the way we interact with each other.
“Establishing healthy habits and making even small changes can help improve and protect our health now and in the future.
“I recognise Covid-19 restrictions can make things more difficult compared to last year but I would absolutely encourage people to get creative to keep healthy.
“For example, creative writing, singing, and volunteering can improve your mood and sense of achievement, while starting a garden to grow your own vegetables covers many of the best ways to care for yourself – keeping active, reducing stress, getting vitamin D from exposure to the sun, and improving your diet.
“Even if you only make small changes to your lifestyle, like going for a short daily walk, it can make a big difference to your health and wellbeing, and may give you confidence to make further changes.”
Cllr Jude Wells, Cabinet Member Adult Care and Health said:
With the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and latest lockdown restrictions, self care and doing all we can to look after our own and loved ones’ health and wellbeing has never been so important.
“I would encourage everyone to use the week to take stock and see where you can make small changes to your lifestyle that can improve and protect your health now and in the future.”
Local GP Dr Cath Briggs, who’s also the Clinical Chair of NHS Stockport CCG, added:
During this pandemic, it is more important than ever to take care of yourself. Do not ignore any new symptoms such as weight loss, lumps or unusual bleeding and speak to your GP or pharmacist if you have concerns about your health.
“If you have a booked hospital appointment please be sure to attend, unless you have been told otherwise, as most services are running as usual.”