Archived Articles
Looking after your mental wellbeing: clear your head - tips and advice
December 2021
This time of year can feel a bit much. But there are easy things you can do to make yourself - and others - feel better this winter.
The Scottish Government's Clear Your Head campaign aims to help us cope during the winter period, providing hints and tips on how we can look out for ourselves.
Top tips
Daily life has changed for all of us, so it's natural to not feel yourself. Try some of these tips to improve your mental health this winter:
- do something nice for others - it will help you and them
- stay in touch with others - it can help give you a boost if you're feeling low
- get out in the fresh air - it can help lift your spirits. So why not make time today to go for a walk, run or cycle and feel the benefits?
- remember to breathe in and out and do things that you enjoy - such as chatting to a friend
- get lost in music - it can help to lift your mood
- don't dwell on bad news - try to distract yourself with something to take your mind off it.
More information
Find more hints and tips on how to look after yourself this winter www.clearyourhead.scot
Watch the latest campaign video
- View the Clear Your Head Ad via YouTube here
View the Clear Your Head summary guidance in BSL via YouTube here
Support for people recovering from Covid-19
It can be a long road to recovery for many who've had COVID-19.
A new online resource has been created by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy teams to help people recovering from the virus. The team have distilled what they have learned from helping people recover both at home and in hospital - to provide information, support and tips.
The new self-management resource offers advice on managing the many types of symptoms associated with COVID-19 such as fatigue, breathlessness, reduced exercise tolerance and lack of physical strength.
You can access the online resource here
Find more NHS information to support your recovery here
Top ten tips for recovering from COVID-19
- Take it slow - recovery may take longer than you expect.
- Eat well - your body needs nutrients to get better. This can be difficult when you lose your sense of taste / smell but just as important.
- Sleep well - your body needs rest, take it easy.
- Plan your day - especially important if you're feeling fatigued. Plan your day and week to include consistent activity, rather than boom and bust cycles which may leave you more tired.
- Deep breathing - sit in a relaxed position, breathe in through your nose, out through your mouth, lying on your front can also help.
- Stay active - your physical strength may be impacted so build yourself back up with regular activity like walking or at home exercises.
- Get up - easy to forget in lockdown, make sure you are regularly standing, set a timer to make sure you're getting up once an hour.
- Get out - make sure to get outside with nature proven to improve our wellbeing.
- Relax - remember to relax your mind however that may be. Some people find meditation helpful.
- Stay connected - speak to your loved ones regularly about your recovery and how you're doing. We all need support.
Dedicated support for health and social care staff and unpaid carers
2 November 2021 - Coping with the effects of Long COVID
If you, or anyone you know, is trying to cope with the effects of long covid, new support materials are now available. These may be particularly useful for staff working in health and social care.
The new written resources and three short videos are now available on the National Wellbeing Hub - to help everyone better understand and manage Long COVID.
These include two evidence-informed articles, one aimed at managers providing advice on how to support staff returning to work with Long COVID, and one aimed at people experiencing Long COVID. These are supplemented by a 'Top Tip' sheet with brief guidance for managing recovery from Long COVID.
The materials have been produced in response to feedback over the last six months from people working in health and social work / social care about the challenges they have faced in coping with the prolonged after-effects of COVID (long COVID), living with uncertainty, and their anxieties about returning to work and /or preparing to do so.
More information
These new resources are available on:
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6859084791959056384
- Visit The National Wellbeing Hub or phone the National Wellbeing helpline 0800 111 4191
Follow on Twitter https://twitter.com/NatWellbeingHub
You can access the GCCHSCP online resource for Covid-19 recovery at https://www.nhsggc.org.uk/your-health/health-services/allied-health-professionals-ahps/physiotherapy/recovery-from-covid-19-coronavirus/#
Don't struggle alone. Find out more about recovery from long COVID at NHSinform.scot/long-covid or phone NHS 24 on 0800 22 44 88
A Health and Social Care Workforce Wellbeing helpline was launched in July within the NHS 24s Mental Health Hub. It offers all health and social care workers in Scotland access to mental health support 24 hours a day, seven days a week and complements the support already offered through the National Wellbeing Hub.
This new wellbeing line will initially run for a period of 12 months and you can phone for advice on 0800 111 4191.
Dedicated support for staff volunteers
To help our staff volunteering in different roles read our Staff support guide on looking after your wellbeing during Covid-19 (PDF, 1000 KB)
Covid-19 has brought unexpected financial challenges to many households, which can contribute to increased levels of stress and anxiety at a time when these feelings may already be heightened.
Support on how you and your family can manage finances during Covid-19
Here is some useful information to help you manage your finances.
1. Work Out Your Budget
Citizens Advice Scotland's online budget planning tool can help you to work out how much money you've got coming in and going out, and what you can afford.
Glasgow Credit Union have some budgeting 'top tips' available on their website - here.
Learn more about budgeting in the Managing Personal Finance eLearning course on GOLD.
2. Minimise Your Spending
- Check out our staff discounts and offers - including savings of up to 50% off the usual high street prices through the 'perks at work' programme - provided by Workplace Options, our Employee Assistance Provider. (Requires registration - contact your manager for the details if you don't have access to Connect).
- The HSF health plan for our employees offers family savings on health expenses and special offers all year round.
- The Glasgow Credit Union provides competitive financial services and products to members including savings, mortgages, loans and insurance services. Open to anyone living or working in the 'G' postcode area. Or, check out other credit unions operating in the Glasgow area here.
- Save money on travel costs whilst also improving your health and fitness, and helping to protect the environment through our Cycle to Work Scheme.
- Reduce your energy bills - see advice on the Home Energy Scotland website.
- Find out how to protect yourself from Covid-19 scams.
3. Financial advice and Support
- Contact Workplace Options, our Employee Assistance Provider; phone 0800 247 1100 for free, confidential and independent advice on financial matters.
- If you're struggling to pay your bills, you can find practical information and support on the Citizens Advice Scotland website here.
- StepChange debt and Covid-19 advice, guidance and support here.
Glasgow Credit Union - Financial Wellbeing Hub
Glasgow Credit Union now has a Financial Wellbeing Hub - a series of guides, tools and tips designed to help council employees to make the most of their money.
The new resource covers topics such as budgeting, savings, loans, mortgages, and links to debt advice websites. Content is tailored specifically to people living or working within the Greater Glasgow, 'G' postcode area.
As the largest and most successful credit union in the UK, and with over 30 years' experience of helping council employees manage their money, Glasgow Credit Union is uniquely placed to help you become more financially resilient.
As well as the new Financial Wellbeing Hub, the credit union provides payroll deduction membership to council employees. This means that you can pay into a savings account or repay a loan or mortgage directly from your wages.
Glasgow Credit Union is open to all council family employees and is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.
More information
For more information about Glasgow Credit Union, including how to join, visit glasgowcu.com
Access the Financial Wellbeing Hub here
Money Talk Team - free financial advice for families
Free financial advice is also available from the Money Talk Team - a confidential and personalised service delivered by the Citizens Advice Network in Scotland and funded by the Scottish Government.
The Money Talk Team is helping families across Scotland to maximise their income by helping them to reduce household bills, save cash and make sure that they are claiming all of the benefits and grants they're entitled to.
More information
- Find out more about support available here
- Call the Money Talk Team for a free, confidential chat on Freephone 0800 0857145
- View the Parent Club Income Maximiser TV ad on youtube
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