Looking after my wellbeing during coronavirus

Lisa Cromack talks about how she's been looking after her wellbeing during coronavirus

Hi my name is Lisa Cromack and I want to tell you how I have been looking after my wellbeing during coronavirus. My wellbeing has always been important to me, in the past I have shared the ways I look after my wellbeing at culture days and also at my job with the Involvement Team. I am normally a very busy person, so when the coronavirus started and all my jobs started stopping I felt worried about how I would cope. But I stopped, took a deep breath and spoke to my support staff about how I was feeling. They said “don’t worry Lisa, relax, you can do this”. I realised I had to look at new ways to keep myself happy and healthy and look after my wellbeing.

I would like to share with you the things I have been doing to look after my wellbeing during coronavirus and hope they can help you too. Some are old things and some are new, but they are all fitting well together and I am very happy and relaxed.

My feelings book- I have one to one with a member of my staff and explore my feelings and emotions. After each session I always feel proud and positive.

My diary- Every night I write a diary about my day and how I have been feeling. This helps me go to sleep feeling happy for the next day.

Keep active- I like to play on the Wii for exercise and have also been on some lovely walks in the sunshine. Walking is good for your head and your heart.

Looking after my body- I have been eating healthy and drinking lots of water and trying new exciting recipes. I have been getting weighed every Monday and seeing my weight loss makes me feel good and excited. I am proud of myself.

Staying connected- I have been keeping in touch with my family, friends, my jobs and my classes I attend. I asked places to send me out work packs, these have kept me busy. Staying connected is important to me, we all need to help each other during this difficult time.

Shopping- I work hard for the NHS and I earn my own wage, I like to treat myself. I have been using my Ipad to buy myself new clothes, DVDs and CDs. I also bought myself an amazing footspa, I am loving relaxing on my pamper nights, time to chill out!

These are all helping me and my wellbeing. I will always remember to talk when I am worried and follow the government advice. I am surprised with myself during the lockdown, I didn’t think I could do it and still be happy and like the sunshine, but I am doing it! I am happy and healthy and excited for the future.

Here’s a short film featuring Lisa talking about her role as an Involvement Coordinator at the Trust: