Mental health has become a really big topic of conversation, more so than ever. Since the arrival of the coronavirus pandemic, the life we once knew, completely changed. One survey found that 47% of Irish people were working from home in 2020 – the second largest in Europe. With most of us working from home due to the pandemic, all sense of everyday routine has been changed. The rush-hour commute to work has been replaced with home-schooling. The daily coffee run has been replaced with a walk in your slippers to the kettle!

At BSS, we recognise that mental health is of paramount, especially now. We thought we would share with you the top tips we’ve researched, with links to websites, help lines and videos that we encourage you to use if you’re finding this time tough:

  1. Maintain a sense of routine – It can be very easy to roll out of bed and jump straight on the computer. However, this can be a little counter-productive. Wake up at a regular time, and have a nice nutritious breakfast. Porridge is an excellent start to the day because oats are a complex carbohydrate, providing slow-releasing energy throughout the morning. If you have time, try and do some exercise first thing in the morning. This can be anything, from a walk, through to a Yoga class. It will leave you feeling energised and ready to tackle the day ahead. If you’re looking for a quick 25 minute HIIT class, check out Joe Wicks – The Body Coach’s YouTube channel or if you’re wanting a gentler start to your day, Yoga with Adrienne is perfect.
  2. Invest in a comfortable chair – sometimes, the kitchen chair will not suffice. Invest in a good ergonomic chair that will support your spine. Make sure you can adjust it to the height of your desk so that you are not slouching over your computer (I just adjusted mine now as I was writing this!)
  3. Have a mid – day stretch – Research has shown that the average person spend 51hours and 44 minutes seated per week! Give yourself a bit of a stretch – you’ll thank yourself later! A fantastic webinar leading you through a mid-work stretch is led by James Kennedy of Kos Ergonomics, which you can find HERE.
  4. Talk to family and friends – As the usual places we communicate with friends and family are currently out of bounds, make sure you set aside some time to talk to friends and family. 93% of communication is done through body language. Chatting over Facetime allows you to see the other person’s body language. By listening to the speaker’s voice and watching their body language, you can have deeper, more meaningful conversations with your friends and family. So whack out your best fancy dress and throw a Zoom party, or even have dinner dates through Facetime!
  5. If you need help, there’s a helpline for you – Sometimes, it can all get a bit overwhelming, so if you get to that place, there’s always the possibility to call the HSE Mental Health and Crisis service on 50808 – here, you will be able to speak anonymously to a counsellor 24/7. You can also become a member of the CIF’s Mental Health and Wellbeing support programme, which employers can purchase for their team – you can find out more details HERE.

At BSS we want you to know that despite the ongoing pandemic, we are still working for you. Let us know what kind of role you are looking for, and when the restrictions end, our recruiters will search for something for you, once it is available. If you would like to register for a Trades and Labour role, register HERE. If you’re looking for Professional and Technical roles, register HERE. You can also email us info@buildstaff.ie or give us a call on 01 707 1012.