Warrnambool's headspace has some practical tips for people experiencing anxiety throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
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Community and engagement worker Kayla Mugavin said they had seen and increase of people calling the service for information about anxiety.
"As COVID-19 is constantly mentioned around us young people locally are wanting to have discussions to ease stress and anxiety as the situation is hard to escape," she said.
"On a national level, at around mid-march headspace saw a significant increase in young people accessing the service with queries related to COVID-19. Since then, queries to headspace related to stress and anxiety have progressively increased.
"The COVID-19 resource on the headspace website has been the most viewed piece of content since March 12, signifying that young people and family and friends are seeking support and guidance during this uncertain time."
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Miss Mugavin has shared tips her team recommends for people to maintain a healthy headspace. These include:
- Be mindful of exposure to information and take a break from the 24-hour news cycle
- Do things that make you physically and emotionally safe, and be with those who are helpful to your well being
- Engage in activities promoting a sense of calm and feeling grounded
- It can help to talk with a trusted adult if it all feels a bit much
- The 7 tips for a healthy headspace demonstrate simple and effective things that can help people to create and maintain a healthy headspace. The tips are available via headspace.org.au/tips
headspace Warrnambool is delivering services to young people via phone and online rather than in-person in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and Miss Mugavin has been working from home.
"Whist being very fortunate to be working a 9-5 day at home, I try and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and make sure I take frequent breaks to get some fresh air outside and away from the computer screen," she said.
"Once my work day is complete I like to do some sort of exercise to finish the day and take some time to look after myself and wind down."
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The centre will continue to offer individual services to young people with delivery through phone and online options such as video conferencing.
For young people experiencing feelings of stress related to COVID-19 call 1300BROPHY and ask for headspace and for more information head to headspace.org.au/young-people/how-to-cope-with-stress-related-to-covid-19/
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