Wellbeing Resources

As we are all aware coronavirus COVID-19 is consuming news coverage around the world and many countries have been announcing closures of public facilities and lockdowns. It is a constantly changing situation and continuing to follow the updated guidance being provided, is an important way we can all minimize the likelihood of getting infected and spreading the virus.

With so much uncertainty, it is understandable that our anxiety levels may be rising. Having family and friends in more affected areas is also likely to increase anxiety levels.  Though there are currently few diagnosed cases in Okinawa, we may also feel anxious about our own situations. Being separated from family and friends or difficulty accessing information due to language barriers can further exacerbate feelings of anxiety or perceived lack of control. Whilst feelings of anxiety and worry are normal, there are many ways that we can manage this anxiety and help ourselves. Simple steps such as finding ways to stay connected to friends and family, maintaining routines and managing our consumption of news about the coronavirus can all help to reduce our anxiety levels. 

There are some useful websites that people can access that provide information and advice about taking care of your psychological wellbeing during these difficult times. The ones that we would recommend include:

• General information pages on managing anxiety and stress due to coronavirus:
  • Looking After Your Mental Health During the Coronavirus Outbreak (In English)
  • Greater Good's Guide to Wellbeing During Coronavirus from Berkeley (in English)
  • Coronavirus Stress and Coping - Guidance from the CDC (in English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean)
• A useful summary of effective ways to manage worry and anxiety including information and advice and tools to challenge unhelpful thinking patterns:
  • Guide to Living with Worry and Anxiety Amidst Global Uncertainty (in English)
• FACE COVID:
  • Animated Video (in English)
  • Workbook (in English)
• Useful articles if people are practicing social distancing or are in an isolation period, focusing on how to maintain wellbeing throughout this uncertain time:
  • Social distancing and isolation guidance from the American Psychological Association (In English)
  • Keeping your distance to stay safe (in Japanese)
  • For teenagers during social isolation (in English)
  • Physical wellbeing in social isolation (in English)
  • Living meaningfully in social isolation (in English)
  • Handouts on ways to cope during coronavirus (in English)
  • Psychologists’ advice for newly remote workers
  • “Let’s stay safe; please keep your distance”: How to politely ask other people to maintain social distance
  • Combating bias and stigma related to COVID-19
• Managing OCD during coronavirus:
  • OCD and Coronavirus Survival Tips from OCDUK (in English) 
• An article about how to touch your face less as a part of your personal healthcare efforts:
  • How to stop touching your face (in English)

It is also important to talk to your children about coronavirus and reassure them as lots of children will be picking up on other’s anxiety around them and things they hear being discussed.  Some good websites for supporting children with worries and questions about coronavirus include:

• Factsheets for parents and carers:
  • Parent and Caregiver Guide from the NTCSN (in English)
  • Support and Advice for Schools, Parents, and Caregivers during School Closures from the British Psychological Society (in English)
  • A leaflet on talking to children about illness from the British Psychological Society (in English)
• Family mental health support information from the Community Disaster Risk Reduction Association (in Japanese)
• Animated video for children explaining about coronavirus (in English)
• Child-friendly book explaining coronavirus (available in different languages)
• Talking to children about Coronavirus

?If you would like to talk more to someone from the Ganjuu Wellbeing Service please do email us on ganjuu@oist.jp or pop in and see us in our new location, Lab 4 (level C) to make an appointment. With Kaori Itokazu having returned from childcare leave, we are able again to provide services in both English and Japanese. We are also able to provide services remotely by Zoom or Microsoft Teams and in the event of OIST closing we will continue to provide a service.

Useful posters for additional guidance