Staying well
If you're worried about money, bills and the future, doing what you can to stay well, may help you cope better with things.
Ongoing stress can affect your physical and mental health. And if you’re not well and can’t work, it may add to your worries about the cost of living.
On this page we've listed some of the general things you can do to look after both your physical and mental health.
You can also find advice about staying well during winter on these pages:
Get a free health check
If you're living in Staffordshire and aged 40 to 74 years, you may be able to get a free NHS Health Check.
Check whether you can get a free health check.
Free flu jabs
The flu and Covid vaccines are the best way to protect yourself from becoming seriously ill this winter.
The flu vaccine is offered free of charge on the NHS to people who are most at risk.
Find out more about flu vaccination on the NHS website.
Get free support to give up smoking
If you're over 40 and a smoker you can get free support and medication to help you give up.
Help me quit smoking for good.
Help to be more active
Being active and moving more is good for your body and your mind. It can lift your mood and give your body a boost.
It doesn’t have to be a tough workout, or an expensive gym membership, a brisk walk can be enough.
Being active also helps keep your body, hands and feet warm.
If you aren’t very mobile, you can do chair-based exercises. Even simply moving your arms and legs and wiggling your toes will get your circulation going.
Try a fitness app
Search for a fitness app to help you get started or to keep you motivated. Our app finder can help you find apps you can trust.
Use the health and wellbeing app finder.
Find a way to get active
On the Active My Way website you'll find useful information to help you keep moving and active this winter. You can search for activities at local venues or to do online at home.
Go to Active My Way
Get help with your mental health
If stress and anxiety about money are affecting your mood and you're starting to feel depressed or have panic attacks, the first call should be your GP, and sooner rather than later.
There are lots of local groups, charities and organisations in Staffordshire that offer advice and support for mental health and emotional wellbeing. If you're struggling or supporting someone else who is struggling, help is closer than you think.
Find places to get support with mental health.
Help to get online
If you can’t get online because you can’t afford a laptop or tablet you may be eligible for support from Staffordshire’s Donate IT scheme.
The scheme refurbishes devices donated by local residents and supplies them to residents who need help to get online to apply for jobs, access health appointments or attend training.
Ask at a Staffordshire library or Community Help Point about the scheme or contact Support Staffordshire or The Community Foundation for Staffordshire.