Wellbeing tips from Step One Charity’s Occupational Therapists at Cypress Hospital

1. Maintain good sleep hygiene

This can be achieved by:

• Sleeping and waking at the same time every day
• Have an hour of relaxation before bed (reading, listening to quiet music, practicing mindfulness)
• Avoid watching tv, going on your phone and eating in bed
• Avoid drinking alcohol, smoking and eating large meals later in the evening

2. Plan your meals!

Before doing your weekly shop, plan what meals you will have for the next week. Write down what meals you would like and what ingredients you will need (don’t forget to check what’s already in the cupboards!) This can help you to maintain a healthy and balanced diet and avoid wasting food which will save you money.

3. Set boundaries for work-life balance

Working from home is common these days, and it can be challenging to separate work from personal life. Start by avoiding taking work materials home or accessing emails after work hours. Giving yourself quality time away from work and time to rest will boost your productivity during work hours and reduce the need for overtime. Setting clear boundaries between work and personal life will help you maintain a healthy work-life balance.

4. Stick to a routine

Having a routine at home can help you stay on top of chores and personal tasks. Use a weekly planner and write down what tasks need to be completed on what day. You may want to put the washing on and clean the kitchen on a Friday so it’s complete before the weekend, giving you dedicated time to do the things you enjoy.

Some personal ‘life hacks’ from our OT’s:

“I like to add a dance step or two as I move from room to room as it reminds me to enjoy the moment.”

– Mus

“To de-stress from my work I love to listen to my favourite music whilst driving home.”

– Ellie

“I really appreciate cooking with my daughter because it helps boost my mood!”

– Marcin

“My hack is to allow time for yourself. Weeks that I have focused on myself by going walking, gyming or hiking on the moors I have found that I am more driven and feel ready to tackle the week ahead of me. Allow time to focus on your interests, or find new ones!”

– Connor

“MY OT life hack is to start my day by writing a daily to-do list. A list helps me to stick to time frames which helps in being more productive. Not only is it beneficial for my workplace but it also helps reduce my stress levels.”

– Ellie