Anxious about Covid 19?

Across the world, people are living under ‘lockdown’ as the globe battles to fight the coronavirus pandemic. During this time, it’s important to check in with your mental health.

It is natural to feel anxious and worried by reports in the media or if you have been affected by the virus. Those working on the front lines in healthcare or other services must be feeling the pressure more than anyone. Try to remember that you are not alone in your feelings and that this pandemic has affected the lives of millions of people in various ways.

Here are a few pointers to look after your mental health and wellbeing if you are staying at home:

✍️ Write down 3 things you are grateful for each day. Remember to say thank you to those helping you.

☕️ Plan your day, try to start with the same routine every day, make sure you get up and dressed in the morning. Do something productive (this definition will have changed now) and treat yourself with a reward or something enjoyable.

📲 Stay connected to your family and friends on video calls, or by telephone. If you know someone who is self-isolating alone, make the effort to contact them they will appreciate it and you will feel good about making the effort. Maybe this is time to re-connect with those friends that you haven't seen in a while and you keep meaning to get in touch with. It's good to talk.

🧘🏻‍♀‍ Exercise daily. YouTube is full of free videos, from yoga to aerobics. Take that 20 minute walk outside - take advantage of the good weather and get that Vitamin D your body needs to absorb (but keep your distance!).

🛀🏻Try a relaxation technique, like meditation, breathing or even having a bath. Put on some uplifting music! Focusing on the present can help you forget those negative thoughts.

😌 Learn to take one day at a time, and not worry about things that might happen. We can all take our selves off to worrying places when we let our imagination get the better of us. If something hasn’t yet happened try not to worry about it. As it won’t serve you. If you and your family are happy and healthy today then celebrate and make the most of it!

💕 Be kind to yourself. You might be dealing with difficult challenges at the moment. Just because there are worse things happening to others doesn't make your situation any less challenging in the present. Allow yourself some time to be annoyed, to be upset, to be frustrated. But, then decide to shake that off and think about how you can move yourself forward….at least for now.