Health and wellbeing
Last updated: 07/10/2011
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When money is tight, you need your health more than ever. On
this page we have listed a wide range of advice and support
available to help you keep mentally and physically fit during the
recession.
Evidence shows that eating well, keeping active and keeping in
touch with friends are all key to good physical and mental
health.
A recent YouGov survey, commissioned by the Mental Health
Foundation, shows that many people are adapting through the credit
crunch:
“Worry and stress are widespread, but many people are taking a
practical approach, and in most cases the lifestyle changes they
are making – such as being more active and preparing meals from
scratch – are good for both physical and mental health.”
Healthy living and stress busting doesn’t have to break the
bank
Exercise or any physical activity from walking around a public
garden to swimming, is good for your emotional health. You can
access free, or reduced rate activities through Cornwall
Council:
Now is a great time to make a
Change4Life. You may have seen the national campaign that aims
to help families eat well, be more active and live longer.
Eat well
Cook dinner with your friends as an alternative to dining
out.
- Make your own lunch. Tips for healthy lunches can be found at
Eatwell.gov.uk and at
NHS
Good Food. The British Nutrition Foundation can
offer inspiration for delicious and healthy lunch boxes for
kids.
- Eating 5 a day may seem hard work when money is tight, but
eating local and seasonal fruit and vegetables should be more cost
effective than exotic varieties. Find more inspiration at
5-A-DAY.
- With nearly 1/3 of the food we buy ending up in the bin,
Love Food, Hate Waste
outlines how we can reduce our waste and save
money (around £420 a year for the average family). Visit the
website to find delicious and thrifty recipes for your
leftovers.
Recognise when you feel stressed
Support is available for anyone who feels overwhelmed with
stress or anxiety.
If you have followed self-help advice, but remain concerned with
your mental
health and the impact this is having on your daily routine e.g.
work and relationships, your local GP surgery can offer support and
advice. They can also recommend treatments such as talking therapy
or counselling, or advise you of local stress management
courses.
Know your alcohol limits
During a recession less alcohol may be drunk in pubs and bars,
but this does not necessarily mean that consumption is lower as
people may drink larger measures at home. Using alcohol to relieve
stress may be unhelpful. If you have any concerns about alcohol or
drugs, visit Cornwall Drug and Alcohol Action Team.
Save money and quit smoking
Giving up smoking can be very difficult and to give up
successfully smokers often have to have a really good reason to do
so. Saving money can be a great incentive and if you currently
smoke 20 cigarettes a day, then you can save £162 a month by
quitting. Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Stop Smoking Service can
help you give up smoking, save you money and make your life even
better. Call (01209) 215666.
Try volunteering
If your work situation has changed, it might be a good
opportunity to do something completely different. Volunteering
offers practical advantages such as developing new skills, building
confidence and boosting future career options, as well as helping
people feel good about themselves. It provides structure and
routine, learning opportunities and can help improve feelings of
self-esteem. Below are links to contact details for local volunteer
groups:
Want to get out and about?
Below is a link to local events and festivals that may be of
interest:
Events and
festivals
If you know of any other contacts that may be useful to list on
these pages or have any questions, please email recessioninfo@cornwall.gov.uk