We have started to see some reassuring signs that the measures we have taken under the current lockdown have had a positive impact on the number of people locally testing positive for COVID-19. It is important that we all remember to stay alert, stay diligent and most importantly stay at home unless we absolutely have to go out.

It is up to all of us to play our part and keep doing all we can to protect the NHS and one another by slowing the rate of infection as much as possible.

We have once again come together and achieved something incredible in driving the number of positive tests down in the way we have but there is still so much more to do. The local picture is far better now than it was a few weeks ago but we still have a lot further to go.

It is vital that we not only obey the rules but also act in a way which is in the spirit of the rules. The solutions to the biggest health event the world has seen in more than a generation are in the small things we can all do. Following hands, face, space advice and only going out when it is absolutely essential means we can know that we are all part of the solution and we will help make sure that we can emerge from the current lockdown once it is safe to do so.

As lockdown continues for Thurrock and indeed the whole country, taking care of our mental health has never been more important than it is right now. With daily reports of the latest COVID-19 figures, new information on different strains of the virus and changes to guidance on how best to keep safe, it’s easy for coronavirus to become all we hear about or think about.

With so many of us working from home this can also lead to additional struggles for us to separate our work and home lives –  as one can easily merge into the other.

Our mental health is something we must all remember to take care of, nurture and support during these challenging times. Speaking with others about problems we are facing is a big first step– a problem shared is a problem halved. Ensuring that you have time in your day to do something that you enjoy is also crucial. Whether this is calling a friend, watching a film, reading a book or undertaking some kind of physical exercise in line with the current government guidance, these small moments ensure you take time to care for yourself. It’s also important that we keep an eye on our friends and loved ones, and check in to see how they’re doing – a simple message asking someone how they are is now such an important way of reaching out to those we care about. Above all, remember to be kind to yourself and others. Together we will get through this.

With schools providing remote learning, this can provide additional pressures of supporting this learning while balancing work and other family commitments. This can however also present new opportunities to help our children and young ones complete their work, learn and develop and even learn something new ourselves. I applaud all our parents and carers who find themselves in this unique situation, and encourage them to make use of resources available on the internet that can help, including content aired daily on BBC One and Two for those in primary and secondary school respectively.

This week is Children's Mental Health Week which focuses on giving children the tools and opportunity to express themselves and share their thoughts, feelings, ideas and individuality. There are some fantastic resources online for activities parents or carers and children can do together which I heartily recommend checking out.

In amongst the challenges facing us all, we still have large numbers of children in the local authority’s care who face further uncertainty. Our foster children are in desperate need of a place they can call home and a family they can call their own. Fostering remains an option for those who are able to provide a warm, loving home to a child or young person, and our dedicated team are ready to answer any questions you may have by email or one of our upcoming virtual information sessions, with further details available on our website.

Health eating does more than keep our bodies healthy, it also contributes to keeping our minds healthy and boosting our mood. While we are spending so much more time indoors during lockdown, there can be a temptation to reach for high sugar, high fat foods but this won’t prove beneficial in the long run for either mental or physical health.

The average person in the UK is consuming more calories than they should, and not consuming enough fruit, vegetables, fibre or healthy fats. This not only has a negative impact on our bodies, but also on our minds, energy and mood. There are a variety of small changes that can be implemented to our diets that can help to change this:

• depending on what we eat, our blood sugar levels will change throughout the day. When our blood sugar levels drop it can cause us to feel irritated or tired. This can be avoided by eating more regularly but in smaller portions
• it's important to stay hydrated. It is advised that you aim to drink 6 to 8 glasses of water a day whilst limiting you intake of juices and other drinks high in sugar. This can improve you concentration and ability to think
• eating a rainbow of fruit and vegetables, will help you to nourish your body with the right vitamins and nutrients that your body needs to keep you both physically and mentally healthy
• when feeling anxious or stressed, it can impact our digestion. Maintaining good gut health can help to reduce the impact the stress and anxiety has on our gut. Fruit, vegetables, wholegrains, live yoghurts and probiotics can help to promote good digestive health
• our thoughts and feelings are regulated by chemicals. These chemicals are made up of amino acids which can be found in protein. Increasing your protein intake can boost your mood
• caffeine is used to give us quick bursts of energy and can be found in a variety of drinks. However, caffeine can also cause you to feel anxious and depressed as well as disturbing your sleep. Drinking decaffeinated drinks or reducing the amount of caffeine you intake can prevent you from experiencing the side effects of caffeine
• we are often told that fats are bad and should be avoided, but this is not always true. Fats such as omega-3 and omega-6 (which can be found in fish), are very important for brain function

This NHS video is a great guide to the most effective way to wash your hands