Living with
COVID-19
COVID-19 has been in Aotearoa for a while now and living with it hasn’t been easy. We’ve had to adapt even the simplest aspects of our day-to-day lives around it and manage a lot of uncertainty at the same time.
Many of us are feeling all sorts of emotions as a result - sort of hōhā, sort of down, sort of happy, or sort of anxious – and that’s completely understandable.
The resources below are designed to help you and your loved ones through these tricky times, whether you’ve just tested COVID-19 positive; are self-isolating and/or unwell; supporting others through their sickness; or simply managing all sorts of emotions through the process.
Kei roto i te pōuri, te marama e whiti ana.
Through perseverance and hope, we will overcome.
Many of us are feeling all sorts of emotions as a result - sort of hōhā, sort of down, sort of happy, or sort of anxious – and that’s completely understandable.
The resources below are designed to help you and your loved ones through these tricky times, whether you’ve just tested COVID-19 positive; are self-isolating and/or unwell; supporting others through their sickness; or simply managing all sorts of emotions through the process.
Kei roto i te pōuri, te marama e whiti ana.
Through perseverance and hope, we will overcome.
It’s an uncertain and stressful time. Whether you’re feeling out of sorts, sort of hōhā, a bit down, kinda happy, totally stressed, quite anxious, an emotion you can’t even explain, or a weird combination of lots of these, it’s important to remember all these feelings are normal and expected, and different people will feel different things – even if they’re going through the same experience.
There are all sorts of emotions, and they can combine in all sorts of ways – feelings can change day to day and ups and downs are normal.
There are all sorts of emotions, and they can combine in all sorts of ways – feelings can change day to day and ups and downs are normal.
Articles & Resources
Tips
Looking after your mental health over the holidays
The lead-up to Christmas and New Year’s Eve can be filled with pressure. Amongst the joy and relaxation, this year many of us are also grappling with financial uncertainty and the continued effects of the pandemic.
Tips
Top tip: When your feelings are overwhelming, ‘Name it to tame it’
It’s easy to blame ourselves for how we feel or even tell ourselves we should be feeling a different way, but shaming or squashing our feelings makes us feel worse.
If you’ve received a positive test result telling you you have COVID-19, you might be feeling stressed or worried for yourself or your whānau, or maybe you’re ka pai/all good – all of these feelings are normal and expected.
Articles & Resources
Tips
Looking after your hinengaro/mental health
Stick to the facts. It’s easy for our minds to jump to worst-case scenarios, especially when we’ve been exposed to years of scary media stories about COVID-19.
Tips
Top tips for looking after your mental health if you have COVID-19, from people who have had it
We asked people who’ve had COVID-19 how they looked after their mental health and wellbeing while they were unwell. Here are their top tips:
With COVID-19 still in the community, chances are you or someone you know will have to do a stint of home isolation at some point to help keep your loved ones and community safe.
It’s not easy spending so much time at home – it can make us feel isolated, lonely, a bit ‘meh’ or just plain bored. Isolating with others can be hard too. Finding some ‘me time’ while also being there to support whānau or tamariki can be an exhausting juggling act.
If you or someone you know is isolating at home, we’ve come up with a few ideas to help recharge your wellbeing and look after yourself to help you get through isolation in the best possible way.
It’s not easy spending so much time at home – it can make us feel isolated, lonely, a bit ‘meh’ or just plain bored. Isolating with others can be hard too. Finding some ‘me time’ while also being there to support whānau or tamariki can be an exhausting juggling act.
If you or someone you know is isolating at home, we’ve come up with a few ideas to help recharge your wellbeing and look after yourself to help you get through isolation in the best possible way.
Articles & Resources
Tips
Wellbeing tips for people isolating
Here are some ways to support your mental health when you’re at home isolating, based on the Five Ways to Wellbeing.
Free Resource
Relaxation exercises for home isolation
Finding a sense of calm in our day-to-day lives can feel hard when things feel a bit out of sorts, but relaxation exercises can help to calm the mind and body and help us to cope with the ups and downs we might be feeling.
Young people – our pēpi/babies, tamariki/kids and teenagers – have been through most of COVID-19’s challenges with us, and some others that adults haven't. Keeping them engaged in online schooling and supported in isolation amidst these uncertainties has been exhausting for many parents and young people alike – it’s safe to say that many whānau have felt out of sorts as a result!
The tips and resources below are designed to help support the young people in your household or extended whānau during COVID-19 - and make whānau life that little bit easier right now.
The tips and resources below are designed to help support the young people in your household or extended whānau during COVID-19 - and make whānau life that little bit easier right now.
Articles & Resources
Tips
Ideas for whānau and tamariki
Many whānau throughout Aotearoa are having a tough time right now - it’s totally normal to feel a bit flat, stressed or all over the place when times are tough.
We all need support from time to time, especially when we’re feeling a bit out of sorts. Support might be a big gesture – like delivering food to your local community - or a small one, like sending a text to a loved one. All supportive gestures matter and can really boost people's spirits in all sorts of ways.
Articles & Resources
Tips
Tips for supporting whānau who are isolating at home
If your whānau or friends are having to stay home, there are plenty of ways you can support them through.
Most people don’t particularly like having injections. But for some, just the thought of needles can be extremely anxiety-inducing. Sometimes, a fear of needles can cause us to avoid medical procedures that we might otherwise want or need.
This resource explains more about needle phobia and provides some tips and tools to help you or a loved one overcome it.
This resource explains more about needle phobia and provides some tips and tools to help you or a loved one overcome it.
Articles & Resources
If you’ve been diagnosed with Long COVID, you may be feeling all sorts of emotions while also experiencing fatigue, headaches, cognitive difficulties, or other symptoms. Not knowing how long this condition will last or how to best manage it can be hard. While experts are still learning about Long COVID and its effects, there are plenty of little steps you can take on your recovery journey – just remember to go easy on yourself and lean on others for support.
You’re not alone in dealing with Long COVID. Below are some stories from others who have been there.
You’re not alone in dealing with Long COVID. Below are some stories from others who have been there.
Free Resource
Coping with long COVID
If you’ve been diagnosed with Long COVID, you may be feeling all sorts of emotions while also experiencing fatigue, headaches or other symptoms. Not knowing how long this condition will last or how to manage it can be hard and make life challenging. Remember, you are not alone and help is available.