Whilst Rooost is a provider of workforce accommodation for businesses and organisations who use contractors and temporary staff who work away from home, intrinsic to our very being is to do our best we can for the workforces we look after. After all, we have them for sixteen hours every day – and that is usually double the time they are employed by our client!

The topic of mental health has been increasing in popularity for a few years… And rightly so. It is an important subject and covers our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Mental health affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others and make healthy choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood… and as we spend about a third of our life in all of these stages either at work or in education (or both) we will need to identify the issues and challenges that we encounter and learn how to cope so we can maximise our potential as a human being. If you're under a lot of pressure, you may start to feel overwhelmed or out of control. Working away from home for long periods can be a factor and without your familiar surroundings, it can be compounded. Try and take a moment to try and identify that things are becoming overwhelming and consider some of the following tips. Without intervention, stress can grow and manifest into physical side effects too. 

Relax and reduce stress

Finding ways to relax – everyone has something that helps them to relax. Identify what that is and find time to fit it into your day. This could simply be having a bath, reading  a book or going for a walk.

Take a break – we can all feel a bit overwhelmed from time-to-time. This can be resolved by simply taking a break or just a change of scene for a few minutes can help to relax and relieve feelings of anxiety.

Do something you enjoy – try to make time to do something you like on a regular basis. It doesn’t have to be big. This could be something small, like cooking a meal, ringing a friend or listening to music will help.

Have a try at ‘mindfulness’ – mindfulness is a way of paying attention to the present moment. Using techniques like meditation, breathing exercises and yoga, it's been shown to help people become more aware of their thoughts and feelings. This means that instead of being overwhelmed, it becomes easier to manage them.

Go ‘tech-free’ – you may find that being on your phone or computer a lot makes you feel more busy and stressed. Take a break – just an hour or two every now and then. If you find this difficult, try putting your phone in another room or setting an alarm to time yourself.

*** Eight relaxation tips for your mental health are provided by MIND – an established and respected mental health charity in England and Wales that was founded in 1946 as the National Association for Mental Health. Watch the video for eight relaxation tips to help you look after your mental wellbeing***

Find ways to learn to be creative

Do something creative – being creative can help distract you from difficult thoughts or feelings, or even help you to process them. Try doing something like drawing; playing a musical instrument; cooking or baking. Try not to worry about the finished product. Just focus on enjoying yourself. It can be rewarding!

Learn a new skill – it is never too early to learn something new. Joining a class or group can be enjoyable, and help boost your confidence. To find out what's on in your area, you could contact your local MIND or ask at your local library or community centre. Even online learning can be a good option if it's difficult to get out; you're short on time; can’t commit to regular events etc.

Spend time in nature

Spend some time outdoors – spending time in nature outdoors can help improve your mood and reduce feelings of stress and anger. 

Bring nature indoors – this gives you the benefits of nature without having to go to a park or public garden. You can do this by buying flowers, potted plants or seeds for growing on your window sill. Or you can collect natural materials from the outdoors and use them creatively to decorate your living space.

Spend time with animals – lots of people find that being with animals is calming and enjoyable. If you cannot commit to having a pet, try pet-sitting or dog walking; feeding birds from your window or garden; visit a local community farm.

Mindfulness exercise in nature – paying attention to your surroundings and find things to see, hear, taste, smell and touch can relieve stress and anxiety.

Connect with others

Connecting with others can help us have a greater sense of belonging and reduce feelings of loneliness.

Talking to someone you trust – opening up to a trusted friend or family member can help you feel listened to and supported. Sometimes, just acknowledging your feelings by saying them out loud can also help.

Peer support – if you're finding things hard, talking to people who have similar feelings or experiences can help. This could be face-to-face at a peer support group, or through an online community like Side-By-Side. Equally, using your time to help others can give you a sense of purpose, help you meet people and boost your self-esteem. 

Look after your physical health

Regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for your health. Being physically active can improve your brain health, help manage weight, reduce the risk of disease, strengthen bones and muscles, and improve your ability to do everyday activities.

Start by drinking water regularly! Drinking enough water is important for your mental and physical health. The NHS has more information about water, drinks and your health.

Think about your diet – There is lots of advice out there about there about how eating or avoiding certain foods can affect your mental health. Not all of this is supported by strong evidence, but we do know that eating regular meals and a healthy, balanced diet can help your mood and energy levels. The NHS has helpful information on how to maintain a balanced diet. If you have a difficult relationship with food and eating, help can be found locally via the NHS.

Look after yourself – basic self-care is a great way of feeling better and is important for you physical health. If you find this difficult, set small goals like getting up early enough to shower and brush your teeth and prepare for the day – maybe, with some early exercise.

Avoid drugs and alcohol – using drugs or alcohol to cope with any difficult feelings is only ever a short-term fix. In the long run they will make you feel worse; damage your physical and mental health.

Keep active – build physical activity into your daily routine. It doesn't have to be a trip to the gym. Start off small and try to find something you enjoy like walking/jogging, swimming or cycling. Aim to go for a walk at lunchtime during the working week. It gives me time to clear your head from the morning which helps prepare for the afternoon stint. 

Try to get enough sleep

Establish a routine – create a bedtime routine will help set a regular sleeping pattern. Do a relaxing activity, like having a bath, or try a relaxation exercise before you go to sleep. It may also help to avoid having caffeine before your bedtime, as this can keep you awake.

Avoid screens – give yourself some tech-free time before sleep – like reading a book or listening to some relaxing music. Avoid bright screens as they can affect your sleep.

Be comfortable – a comfortable sleeping environment can help improve your sleep. Small changes can help. For example, you might sleep better with a low light on, or with different bedding. If you're living in a hostel or supported accommodation, the Groundswell website has some ideas for improving your sleep.

To conclude, we endeavour to work with companies who align with our strategic goals. Your workforce is your strongest asset. We believe that if they are cared for when at work and at rest, your business or organisation will be cared for too – it is as simple as that. We hope these tips will help you…