Foster Carer Wellbeing

Its important to take some time everyday to look after yourself. Below are some helpful tips and tutorials to help you get that slot of “you” time every day. Be it yoga, mindfulness or home exercise, we will do our best to keep the suggestions coming to help you keep calm in the eye of the storm.

Self Care.

Self  care for mind body and soul – Click here.

20 Minute Mindfulness Meditation.

Indoor Exercise Class.

Tips for Wellbeing

Click here.

10 ways to make video calls more fun.

Click here.

Book Club.

Click here.

Journaling.

Journaling for beginners for looking after your wellbeing – Click here.

Exercise

Chair exercises from occupational therapist – Click here.

10 minute stretch

Mental Health Ireland has shared five simple actions that we can all take to protect our mental health and maintain positive well-being during this time: Click here for more information and a range of infographics and videos.

Home Workouts

12 Workouts for Parents to do from home with their kids – Click here.

Headspace Sleepcast Story.

Daily Calm – 10 Minute Meditation.

Yoga for Relaxation.

Home Schooling.

Tips on managing home schooling as a non teacher – Click here.

Talking to Teenagers.

Good article in advising how to stay connected to isolated teenagers – Click here.

Home Workouts.

RTE have provided a step by step guide to home workouts on their website.

Live Meditation and Relaxation Music.

Meditation for Anxiety.

Protecting and promoting Wellbeing

We find ourselves in a time of crisis, experiencing a global pandemic and the unfolding impact on our lives.

We might be feeling fear, panic and powerlessness in the face of such uncertainty. As this process continues we may feel anger, boredom, sadness, frustration- whatever we feel is appropriate to these circumstances.

It is always important to safeguard our wellbeing but now it is vital. Here are some suggestions for supporting yourself and your loved ones:

Stay connected

Keep in touch by phone and online. Contact a friend, neighbour or relative that you haven’t spoken to in a while. Share the good news, the tips and the memes that have brought a smile to your face or warmed your heart. Take regular breaks from the news. When you do engage with the news, make sure it is from a reputable source and avoid the temptation to share misinformation which may just promote panic.

Keep a routine

There’s no need to be rigid about this but generally maintaining some kind of structure around the time you get up, eat meals, bed time and the shape of your day can be a positive support to wellbeing. Get washed and dressed- we know how important these small steps are

Keep active

Take some physical exercise regularly; whether it is a walk in the fresh air (maintaining social distancing) or an online workout, yoga session or dance video at home- just move!

Eat well

We may overeat at stressful times- whether the stress is caused by fear and uncertainty or boredom. Be gentle with yourself but try in so far as possible to keep a healthy balanced diet. Now might be a good time to experiment with new recipes. Keep hydrated.

Managing Overwhelm

If you become overwhelmed, feel the stress and anxiety rising:

• Stop what you’re doing. Plant your feet on the ground. Relax your shoulders and drop your hands to your sides. Take 5 deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth. Repeat as necessary.
• Think of three of your strengths and qualities. Think of examples of when you have used those strengths and qualities to cope with a challenge. Think of how you can use those strengths now. Do this for your loved ones and get them to do it for you too.

Treat this as an Opportunity

For learning (language, skill, song, poem . . .)

For doing (the cleanout, painting that room, reading those books . . .)

For reflection (what you’re grateful for, your values . . .)

Minding our Relationships

Enforced contact can challenge the best relationships. Take time out where possible. Focus on what you actually do like/love about the other person. When you’re stressed, try not to take it out on each other- find another way to relieve it . . .

We will get through this. We are all powerful people and we have ourselves, our families and each other. Use the supports and resources available. Remind yourself how well you’re doing.

Each Day: How can I feed my Mind, my Body and my Soul today?