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Healthy Dudley

Supporting your wellbeing at home

Ideas to support you if you find yourself at home for a period of time

Sometimes you might find yourself at home for a period of time.  This may unexpected or planned.  Looking after your wellbeing is important while staying at home.

When people are at home for long periods they may start to feel bored, frustrated or lonely. These pages provide ideas to stay occupied. They give support information to help look after your wellbeing whilst at home. If you need further help make sure you reach out to relevant support to get this.

Looking after your wellbeing whilst at home

Ideas to look after your wellbeing if you find yourself at home for a period of time:

  • If your stay at home is planned then be prepared. For example buy personal essential food and household items in advance. If you should need further items, pre-arrange for someone to pick them up for you or get them delivered
  • Have a back up plan to support you in case of an emergency e.g. list of emergency contact details
  • Order the right amount of repeat prescriptions and at the right time, about a week before you run out
  • Keep your room temperature comfortable. If you have a fever, be careful not to overheat
  • Keep your windows open to let in fresh air. Get natural sunlight if you can by spending time in your garden if you have one
  • If you are able to, keep moving around, even when confined indoors. Move every hour to keep joints and muscles working and to boost circulation. Visit our stay active pages and NHS pages on sitting, home based and strength exercises
  • Have regular healthy balanced meals. Try and have at least one hot meal a day.  Make sure you drink enough water to stay hydrated. Visit our healthy eating pages or the NHS for resources and information on eating well
  • Visit our Self-Management information if you have a long-term health condition.
  • More information is available on staying healthy and active as you get older
  • Be careful of scams. For further information visit Trading Standards
  • Look out for volunteering opportunities. Use your interests and passions to help others. You can still do this online whilst you are staying at home
  • Visit our information on seasonal wellbeing.  Find out how to keep well during the colder winter months and hotter summer months.
  • Support for mental wellbeing and what is available locally

Ideas to stay occupied

Here are some ideas and activities that you could get involved in:
  • Speak to friends and family over the phone, letters, email or face-to-face via range of online apps.
  • Set yourself a daily goal so you feel like you have achieved something. At the end of the day think about a good thing that has happened that day
  • Keep a daily schedule of who to contact so you can speak to a different person each day
  • Spend time doing things you have been putting off: learn a new skill, paperwork, listen to podcasts
  • Do things that you enjoy e.g. reading, cooking, indoor hobbies
  • Join Dudley libraries. Explore their online catalogue from eBooks to audiobooks and DVDs
  • Join a virtual club.  Visit Dudley Community Information Directory to see what groups offer virtual options
  • Try some online learning
  • Learn digital skills – support via Digi-Dudley

Other useful services: