Announcements

During this challenging time, it is important to think about our mental health and physical wellbeing. 

At Westminster City School, alongside our continued focus on ensuring minimal disruption to learning, we would like to offer some tips to our young people, and their parents/carers, on staying happy and healthy.

Mental health matters
Make your mental health a priority. Staying at home because of COVID-19 can get you down but it is important to remember that it is OK to feel this way and that everyone reacts differently. 

Human beings are social creatures, so maintaining relationships with loved ones is important. Keep in touch with others via phone, messaging, video calls and social media. If you are feeling anxious, then talk to family and friends about your worries. If you decide you need further support, then don’t be afraid to reach out to a trusted helpline or orgaisation, like Childline or the NSPCC. Both have great online resources, for young people and for parents/carers, and are available 24 hours a day.

Life is changing for a while, so create a new and positive routine to your day. Make sure you keep your mind active (for example, by reading, writing, playing games, doing crosswords or art) and try to carry on with things you enjoy. Feel free to focus on your favourite hobby (if you can still do it from home) or why not learn something new? There are many free courses and tutorials online to help you pick up a new skill or interest.

Remember, this situation is temporary and, for most of us, any difficult feelings will pass. Staying at home may be difficult, but you are helping to protect yourself and others by doing it.

Working out physical wellbeing 
A healthy mind needs a healthy body! So, try to find an fitness routine that works for you and ensure that you undertake at least 30 minutes of exercise each day.

During the current restrictions to curb the spread of COVID-19, the UK Government has agreed that leaving your house to undertake exercise is permitted. Last weekend saw British Summer Time begin, so make the most of that extra sunlight and get outside. Just remember to keep a distance of 2 metres from others around you.

When exercising outside, try to keep challenging yourself! Why not download a step counter on your phone to see how far you go, then try to beat that number the next day? If going for a jog, then see if you can go a little further each day and aim to be able to run for 30 minutes without a break.

Millions around the world have been enjoying daily work outs by Joe Wicks on his YouTube channel and many of his exercises help if you are trying to build muscle. There are also plenty of other keep fit and exercise programmes and videos for you to follow, for free, online. 

Find some exercises that you can do from the comfort of your own home, like running on the spot and remember that press ups, sit ups, tricep dips, squats, calf raises and the plank can all help if you are trying to build muscle. If you don’t have any weights, then improvise with a can of tinned food. Make some space, put on some fun music and start working out!