Self-Care Week takes place this year from 18-24 November. It is the annual UK-wide awareness week that focuses on establishing support for self-care across communities, families and generations. The theme for this year is mind and body.
In support of this week a local GP, Mental Health Practitioner, Social Prescriber and Physiotherapist all working in the NHS offer some top tips for how people can stay well and manage common conditions at home as we head towards the winter months.
Dr Ros Sexton, GP Partner at Brook Lane Surgery in Hampshire, talks about how to look after yourself when you get a winter virus:
“At this time of year viral illnesses, including covid, that produce coughs and colds are rife. Some things that can really help [when you’re poorly] are taking regular paracetamol and ibuprofen, so long as you can take them safely. The other thing that helps relieve your cough is plain steam - inhaling this if you’re an adult is really helpful. The other thing that has been shown to be helpful in studies is a teaspoon of honey and slice of lemon in boiling water – let it cool and sip it gently. It will make you feel better.”
Bronwyn Evans, Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at Meon Health Practice in Hampshire, talks about what to do when you’re struggling:
“Top of the list is 111. They have a mental health triage service, a fantastic bunch of people. It’s nationwide so if you’re not sure where it’s a good place to start and they’ll be able to put you in touch with all your local crisis talking services, as well as putting you in touch with other services you might need at that time. If you’re in a space where you cannot keep yourself space at all… just call 999. They have a rapid response for people in crisis and it’s never a bad thing to call for help or reach out for help.”
Bronwyn also explains what people can do to help themselves avoid crisis - “A tool I often recommend to people that are struggling is called an emergency box. It helps you to ground yourself and bring yourself back to the here and now, using all of your senses.”
Leonard Murungi, Rehabilitation Assistant at Hampshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is based at Moorgreen Hospital and works in the community across Hampshire. He talks about helping people to recover from falls and improving their mobility:
“Staying active during the winter is really important in keeping up our health as well as other things such as our sleep and muscle strength. This can be done in various ways whether it’s going to the gym or taking a walk outside. However, you don’t have to run a marathon to stay active.”
Jane Majidzadeh, a Social Prescriber working at Meon Health Practice in Hampshire talks about the importance of staying connected:
“Even though it might be wet and windy this winter, it’s still really important you stay connected. So spending time with family and friends is really important. Perhaps you can visit an elderly relative to make sure they’re ok. If you are feeling lonely or isolated then do reach out to your social prescriber and your local surgery to find out about the local activities in your area.”
Let’s all take a little more time to care for ourselves this self-care week – a practice that will help us all through the colder months and the coughs and colds to come.
The NHS is here for you when you do need help. Find the right help for your needs on our Your Services page.
You can hear more from top tips from these local health professionals in these short videos below:
Dr Ros Sexton, GP
Bronwyn Evans, Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Leonard Murungi, Rehabilitation Assistant
Jane Majidzadeh, Social Prescriber