Welcome to VERCIDA website.
Skip to main contentCategory: Wellbeing (Financial/Mental/Physical)
Welcome to My Wellbeing. This article focuses on what wellbeing means to staff at DCMS, and includes the top tips of colleagues throughout the department for maintaining positive and healthy wellbeing.
This edition features Lauren, a Policy Adviser in the (COVID) Volunteering Data and Insights Team.
The word wellbeing is used a lot and it used to make me think about meditation and yoga (I have tried both 100 times and just can’t get into either of them…) so I used to think “this whole wellbeing thing” just wasn’t for me. After struggling with a chronic illness that was diagnosed in 2014 which has affected my mental health pretty severely at times, I have realised that wellbeing isn’t a “thing you can do” that just magically “keeps you happy”. Long story short, I think it’s a state of mind that can fluctuate with your physical and mental health. You can look after and improve your wellbeing in a number of ways (and meditation/yoga are just a few options to do so!).
Give yourself things to look forward to, whether it’s a glass of wine with a bath on Friday nights, a date night with your partner or just giving yourself permission to eat four sharing bags of chocolate in front of your favourite new series of TV, plan one or two things to look forward to!
I used to run but unfortunately had a knee operation two years ago and that put a bit of a stop to that! So now I try and get out in nature as much as possible, even if it just popping down to the harbour at lunch to sit by the water and have a cuppa.
Also walking/looking after/petting dogs – puppy therapy is a real thing!
Oh god, the list is too long to go into, but that’s anxiety for you!
About six hours, not my best but not my worst. I struggle to sleep sometimes (see previous answer) but have found listening to a podcast can help me drift off (when it’s not a true crime one at least!).
When myself and my partner travelled New Zealand in a van we built ourselves, dog and house-sitting in between living in the van as it combined all my favourite things: traveling, camping, nature and looking after dogs. (Oh, and my partner!…).
Dogs (obviously), podcasts, my sister and my boyfriend (they’re infinitely more chilled than me which is always good!).
A friend bought me some “Relax” tea when I was going through a particularly rough patch this year and I love it, especially as whenever I have it I am reminded of that friend.
Tilted – Christine and the Queens, or literally anything by Bongeziwe Manbandla (I only discovered his music last year and it’s perfect to listen to whilst working to keep the blood pressure low!).
Department for Culture, Media & Sport
Inclusive features
Thank you for registering on VERCIDA - the leading job site for companies that are passionate about diversity and inclusion.
Please proceed to the next step. If you are unable to complete the next stage of application please use the contact form HERE.