Next Wave occupational therapists and physiotherapists talk about how you can build wellness in your life despite the stress, pain and challenges that we are all currently face. The following is the script for people to read if they prefer or need to.
The Covid-19 Pandemic has disrupted the lives of millions of people around the world.
We are all collectively experiencing stress on unprecedented levels due to the need to change how we carry out our daily living activities, the constraints on the freedoms we formerly enjoyed – and the fear of the virus itself – this engenders intense feelings of anxiety, depression and uncertainty. It has disrupted our lives but we still have things we need, want and are expected to do.
These life enriching activities are your occupations. If you are unable to do these things, then how do you maintain your health and who do you become?
At Next Wave, our occupational therapists and physiotherapists know that ‘doing what matters’ improves health. We have learnt from the experiences of our clients whose previously predictable lives have been disrupted by factors beyond their control, people who have experienced serious physical injury, mental health problems, job loss, chronic disease and pain. These people have learnt how to rebuild their lives and so can you.
Your occupations matter
Just as food is vital for your health, occupations are essential for your life. They help you to build resilience and regain a sense of control.
Rebuilding your life and enjoying well being demands your attention.
We need to take care of ourselves and each other so that we can continue to live meaningful lives.
5 ways that you can build wellness in your life
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Keep active- keeping to a regular routine helps you stay centered. This means exercising daily but also keeping a regular routine of the daily activities like eating breakfast, getting a good night sleep and enjoying leisure time.
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Relax – take notice of your thoughts, feelings and body. Do yoga, meditate, exercise and absorb yourself in nature.
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Connect – look after your children, do activities that strengthen a sense of belonging to your family, friends, nature, community and country.
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Give – do things that fulfill the need to help others and contribute in some way to your local community.
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Create – absorb yourself in things that stimulate you and help you to keep growing and learning.
These 5 ways for building resilience are based on the work of Canadian occupational therapist Dr Rachel Thibeault (2011) . They give a framework for maintaining daily activities that sustain you and keep you well. NOTE: further information on these daily occupations will be posted soon!
Next Wave Therapy are here to help
At Next Wave Therapy our ethos has always been to help people to move, think and feel alive. If you are struggling to do what matters, we can help.
We have a full tele-health service for physiotherapy, occupational therapy and naturopathy individual consultations. OT Yoga and Mindfulness Meditation group classes are online.
In Wellness, from the Next Wave Therapy team
Acknowledgements
This script was written by Sasha Wray (Principal Occupational Therapist) after reading an article titled “Engagement in living During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Ensuing Occupational Disruption” by Karen Whalley Hammell, PhD, OT(C), MRCOT (Honorary Professor, Dept of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of British Columbia). The text has been accepted for publication in the Jul/Aug 2020 issue of OT Now.
The Next Wave script follows Hammell’s discussion and full acknowledgement is given to her for the inspiration and clarity on this topic.
Thibeault, R. (2011). Occupational Gifts. Ch. 10. In: M.A. McColl (Ed.). Spirituality and Occupational Therapy. Ottawa, ON: CAOT-ACE.
