Published: Wednesday, 18th Nov 2020

Self Care Week is all about looking after yourself mentally and physically. We have put together the following advice to help support you.

Mental Health and Well-being

It’s normal to feel anxious or stressed from time to time, particularly during COVID-19. This booklet has lots of helpful tips and advice for looking after your mental health and well-being.

Healthy choices

Taking part in some form of daily exercise such as a walk around the block can improve your physical and mental health.

NHS Better Health provides the tools and support you need make healthier choices including getting active, eating ealthier, losing weight and quitting smoking.

Alcohol Awareness

The relationship between alcohol and mental health is complex. Some of us use alcohol to try to help manage symptoms of anxiety and depression, but heavy drinking is likely to make those symptoms worse.

Alcohol Change have put together a leaflet with helpful facts and tips on how to drink healthily and safely.

You can also download the Try Dry app for free to keep track of your time off drinking.

Support for those with health conditions

Living with a health condition can be hard to manage but there is help available.

Your GP practice and pharmacy can give practical and medical advice.

We Are Undefeatable is a movement that supports people with a range of health conditions find ways to keep active that work for them.

Looking after yourself at home

Lots of minor illnesses or injuries can be treated at home with a well-stocked medicine cabinet.

The Self Care Forum has a series of fact sheets that explain information about common ailments, how to look after yourself at home and when to seek further medical help.

Your local pharmacist is a medically trained professional and can provide support and medical advice on a number of things including:

  • Minor illnesses
  • Flu jabs
  • Blood pressure checks
  • Stopping smoking

If you need urgent medical attention but it's not a life-threatening situation, you should first call 111 or visit the NHS website. If you think life is at risk, you should call 999.

Dental Services

All dental practices in Greater Manchester are now open and have resumed face-to-face care, although many are working at reduced capacity and may not yet be able to offer the full range of services due to COVID-19. Practices are using additional PPE and social distancing measures to keep patients and staff safe.

Dental practices are working to ensure that those who have the greatest need fordental care can receive it, so they may be unable to offer routine examinations and other non-urgent care for some time.

If you need dental help or advice, please contact your dental practice over the phone first, rather than in person. You will be assessed over the phone and may be given advice, medication or a face to face appointment if needed.

Urgent dental services have been established across Greater Manchester during the COVID-19 pandemic. They are continuing to see and treat patients who have been referred from their regular dentist who may not be able to offer the specific treatment required.

If you are in pain or in need of support, help or advice, please telephone your dental practice in the usual way.

If you don’t have a usual dentist and have an urgent need you can call the Greater Manchester Urgent Dental Care Service on 0333 332 3800.

If you aren’t registered with a dentist, go to www.gmhsc.org.uk/gm-service-finder.