Over the past few weeks, the normal rhythms and structures of our everyday lives have been turned upside down. No one alive today has lived through anything like this before. We don't know how we're supposed to feel. There is no handbook for this.
In order to combat this feeling of unease, RTÉ launched the You OK? podcast. Hosted by Jan Ní Fhlanagaín, the show has welcomed leading mental health experts every morning to share practical exercises and intriguing insights to help support listeners' well-being.
If you're feeling penned in because of 2km restrictions, Coaching Psychologist @HughODonovan might shift your perspective on today’s #YouOK? Take a listen and give it a go #InThisTogether ✨https://t.co/jsbWC3Flqo pic.twitter.com/qxNOVnlmRM
— jan_ni (@_jan_ni_) April 29, 2020
You OK 2FM?
Now, building on the success of the podcast, RTÉ 2FM has launched an exciting programme of events under the same name to put a special focus on young people’s physical and mental health and the importance of staying connected throughout the pandemic.
Across the week, the station will feature special guests Niall Horan, Roz Purcell, and Bernard O’Shea, plus new slots and challenges to look after our well-being mind and body, connecting us all and having a laugh while we’re at it.
Every day this week @boshea5 will be joining @JenniferMaguire on @rte2fm to bring us things like this ...#inthistogether #youok pic.twitter.com/yFfug3Pe8Y
— RTÉ (@rte) April 29, 2020
To kick things off, 2FM's Breakfast with Doireann & Eoghan brought Niall Horan on air to release a global exclusive video where he connected with some of the biggest Irish musicians who joined with him in spreading the message to stay at home as part of #UniteByStayingApart during the lockdown period.
Read more: Irish musicians urge public to 'unite by staying apart'
The one and only @NiallOfficial joined @eoghanmcdermo on #2FMBREAKFAST to tell him all about this incredible video he has created with the help of @hozier & and the biggest Irish musicians in the world 🇮🇪
— RTÉ 2FM Stay at 🏡 (@RTE2fm) April 28, 2020
We're #inthistogether 💚 #UniteByStayingApart pic.twitter.com/9nJPFzXAiV
What's on?
- Eoghan will do an Instagram Live healthy cook along with Roz on Wednesday morning after the show. 2FM Breakfast listeners will decide what the duo will cook on an Instagram poll.
- Bernard O'Shea will deliver a sketch every day this week exclusively for Jennifer Zamparelli.
- Tracy Clifford will compile a playlist of "Feel-Good" tunes generated from listener suggestions and will be later posted on 2FM’s Spotify.
- In the spirit of #inthistogether, Jenny Greene will take a call with Donncha O'Callaghan & Carl Mullan after 3pm. Donncha will set Carl a daily challenge to complete before 5pm.
Read more: Sister's sweet note moves Roz Purcell to tears on 2FM
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The gigs
To keep the mood up over the course of the Bank Holiday weekend, 2FM will also broadcast recordings of live performances by Robyn, The National as well as Irish artists Roisin Murphy, Inhaler and Sorcha Richardson.
From 6pm to 6am this Saturday night (2nd May), Jenny Greene will also present a 2FM Electric Disco. Starting with her own live set from 6 to 9.40 pm, Jenny will then play a recording of herself and the RTÉ Concert Orchestra live in the 3 Arena in 2017 from 9.40pm to 11 pm.
From 11 pm there will be another Bank Holiday special: "20 Years of The Best of 2FM's Late Night Sessions" staying with you until 6am.
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In this together
You OK? is part of a series of wellbeing content from RTÉ including Operation Transformation: Keeping Well Apart, Home School Hub and Ray and O’Sé's Fitness 15.
RTÉ Radio 1, RTÉ.ie and RTÉ Player have also featured items to keep mind and body healthy and have kept Irish audiences connected during the pandemic.
RTÉ will continue to adapt as we’re all #inthistogether as we navigate the COVID 19 crisis.