We’re advising our staff and our clients to limit their news intake every day to help reduce anxiety, worry or stress. The Coronavirus pandemic is changing daily and with so many news outlets pushing information, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or that you can’t switch off. For many of us, watching too much news and particularly news that is upsetting, can result in disrupted sleep at night or feelings of anxiety and stress. But there are steps we can take to cope with COVID anxiety. Let’s limit our news intake together Experts say that it only takes 21 days to form a new habit if it’s not too hard. So let’s make today, the first day you start to limit your news. Choose a trusted source and choose one or two times in the day that you will allow yourself to read, watch or listen to the news. Rinse and repeat – do this every day for 21 days! Do this for 21 days: avoid watching 24-hour news all day decide you will only watch/read/listen to the news once or twice a day limit your exposure to graphic news stories or images get accurate information from trusted sources Trusted sources: […]
Nobody saw it coming. The coronavirus has taken the world by surprise and it seems as though our lives have changed overnight. Our routines have changed, our ability to interact with each other has changed and every day the news is changing and there is new information that we all have to learn and understand. It’s not surprising that with so much change happening so quickly, that this is a cause of stress or anxiety to many of us. That’s why our psychologist is here to help us understand what we can do to make it easier to cope with life during COVID-19. Wise words Here are some wise words from our Principal Senior Clinical Neuropsychologist Dr Brian Waldron: “We can’t control everything in our lives and the current Coronavirus pandemic is a major example. The fact is, that there is and will be, for some time to come, an additional “anxiety pandemic” for all of us. But there are things we can do help manage and contain the emotional impact.” Tips to reduce anxiety: Limit your news intake to once or twice a day. Avoid watching 24-hour news all day Practice stress reduction techniques such as mindfulness or breathing […]
The Coronavirus crisis is a difficult time for everyone and it is an extra challenge for family carers living with a loved one with brain injury. For many brain injury survivors, keeping to a routine is important. But now with restrictions on movement and having to adapt to social distancing, everyone’s lives are disrupted and this is not easy. Call us for support We want you to know that our On With Life Family and Friends Support Network is here for you. If you’re worried, frustrated, stressed or feeling isolated, call us. A problem shared is a problem halved. It can help to talk to someone who understands about brain injury and what you’re going through. It can also help to talk to someone that is not your family. We’re here for you. Call us for practical advice The Coronavirus pandemic is changing daily and you may be feeling overwhelmed by the news updates and advice. If you’re unsure of what to do, call us or drop an email to Dolores on dflanagangallagher@abiireland.ie Or log on to the HSE website for the latest health advice about symptoms and self isolation. Daily phone support for you It’s good to talk. Our […]
As we draw a close to National Brain Awareness Week we have one message to all our families, supporters and followers – stay 2 metres apart from other people. What is social distancing? It literally means keeping your distance from other people when you’re out and about. The national advice is to keep 2 metres or 6 feet apart from other people. Keep your distance out on walks It’s good advice because it helps us to understand that we need to keep a good distance from people to prevent spreading infection. In practical terms, this means walking far apart from other people if you’re out getting fresh air. Stand further back in a shopping queue If you have to go to the shops, our natural instinct is to queue close together. But with social distance, try to remember to stand back. It won’t always be possible to keep a distance of 2 metres but do your best to keep at least one metre apart when you’re in a more confined space, such as a shop. One medical expert said it helps to imagine you have the virus already and think about how you will act to prevent giving it to other […]
Throughout the Coronavirus health crisis, our rehab experts and frontline teams continue to keep essential services running. This includes our individual one-to-one support for Step Ahead participants who are looking to retrain or get back to work after their brain injury. Thinking outside the box As we all try to flatten the curve of the virus and prevent it spreading to vulnerable people in our communities, our Step Ahead team is using a mix of phone, email and video calls to deliver vocational rehab support to participants. Keeping you safe Health and safety is our number one priority for both you and our staff. This means avoiding face to face meetings and replacing these with phone calls or video calls. Learning new skills As with every challenge there is also opportunity. Our Step Ahead participants are excited to use different communication tools to avoid missing their rehabilitation sessions. Remote support brings an opportunity to build confidence using online tools to communicate. Tools you can use to keep in touch with others Feeling confident using online communication tools like video calls to keep up with Step Ahead rehab support, means our participants will also know how to stay in touch with […]
