Being out of school and away from friends and a normal routine is likely to be difficult for many students. School work provides challenges and in the current climate it may feel even more stressful as many students will be working in a different way.
Students should remember that stress and anxiety in such an unusual and unpredictable time is normal. Everyone reacts differently to stress and that’s okay – we are here to help with managing that stress. Here are a few of our top tips:
• Keep in touch. You might not be able to see your friends face-to-face, but you can still speak to them. The same applies to your teachers too, keep in touch with them and carry on learning.
• Exercise. Break up your day by keeping active. Something as simple as a short walk can clear your head, but if you would rather stay home look online for exercise videos. Joe Wicks is running live 30 minute ‘PE lessons’ every day at 9am on his YouTube channel @TheBodyCoach.
• Food and drink. Try to follow a healthy diet with some fruit and vegetables and drink plenty of water.
• Get enough sleep. Despite not having to wake up so early to get to school, a regular sleep pattern is still important. Wind down before bed by avoiding using your phone, tablet, computer or TV for an hour before bedtime.
• Stay calm. Mindfulness, meditation or yoga may help you to feel calm. Your app store will have lots of apps for you to download that can help with this. Try the “smiling mind” or “calm” app as a start.
• Reduce access to rolling news. There is extensive news coverage about the Coronavirus outbreak. If you find that the news is causing you stress, it’s important to find a balance. It’s best that you don’t avoid all news and that you keep informing and educating yourself - but limit your news intake if it is bothering you.
Our Head of SEN & Safeguarding has compiled a comprehensive
list of the digital support available for students should they need it during
the period of school closures that can be accessed here.