BOOST your winter wellbeing
We understand colleagues continue to face challenging and demanding periods when at work. We thank you for your dedication towards our patients, your colleagues, and the community we serve.
The Trust recognise that it can become particularly challenging during the winter and cold months. It's vital that our colleagues look after your wellbeing, and have the resources to support your teams.
Work-life balance
We recognise that colleagues are working above and beyond in busy teams and departments leaving you feeling tired. When you are exhausted it is hard to connect with family members or friends yet that connection and feeling close to, and valued by, other people is a fundamental human need and one that contributes to functioning well in the world.
Check out Mental Health Foundation's top tips for work-life balance.
Self-care
One way to reduce stress levels throughout the day is by self care. But what do we mean by this? Everyone’s self care is slightly different, it doesn’t just mean candle-lit baths and body massages; self care can be anything you do regularly which reduces your level of stress by a notch or two.
Self care is meant to be helpful, rather than another pressure or demand on your time, so adding small acts of self care (just a few minutes at a time) throughout your day can be more beneficial, rather than trying to carve out an hour or two when you already feel under pressure.
Are you a parent, or carer?
For those who are parents, feelings of guilt are often par for the course, but if we are snappy and irritable at home because we’re so tired, that heaps more guilt on by the truck load. It can then be especially hard to put yourself first and look after ourselves. But that old message about putting on your own oxygen mask first fits very well here – if we are not looking after our own needs, how can we best look after those of others?
Financial Management
Citizens Advice can help you resolve any issues you are having, including benefits, employment, housing and many more.
If you're overweight, losing weight has many health benefits. Making small, simple changes to what and how much you are eating and drinking can really help you lose the pounds. Download the free NHS Weight Loss Plan to help you start healthier eating habits, be more active, and start losing weight.
Working in the NHS can be incredibly rewarding however it can also be challenging. The operational pressures, exposure to high-stress situations and potentially traumatic experiences mean that colleagues must give time to their mental health and wellbeing.
Visit our dedicated mental health support page.
Resources
In order to maintain your own physical health it is critical to have an awareness of how your body is feeling and respond to it appropriately.
