Now more than ever, it’s essential that we’re taking care of our mental health. With the world constantly changing around us, the impact on our mental health can be huge, but there’s always support available to you to ensure you can make a success of social isolation.
You may be feeling overwhelmed at the moment, with changes to daily life as we know it meaning many of us are currently restricted to our homes, to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
It’s safe to say that if you’re struggling to adjust to social distancing, you’re not the only one.
Knowing you’re not alone at this time can be a great comfort, but if you’re starting to feel that your mental health is being impacted by the current situation, we’re bringing you some help and advice, to get through this strange time.
DISTRACTION
We don’t know how long the current lockdown will last, and dwelling on it or worrying about it won’t make it go by faster. In fact, worrying about the lockdown essentially means you have to go through it twice: once in real life and once in your worries.
It’s easier said than done to turn your thoughts off and think about other things, which is where distractions come in. Though they won’t make the current situation go away, it might make it a little more bearable and take your mind off it for a while.
Staying away from social media is a good idea if you feel it’s overwhelming you with information. Instead, why not focus your mind on something else.
Jigsaw puzzles, crosswords, sudokus, and board games are a great way to keep busy and take your mind off everything that’s going on.
If you can afford to, why not throwback to childhood and try Disney+. For £5.99 a month, you can access Disney’s entire back catalogue, from the latest releases to the classics such as Cinderella and The Lion King.
Or, the latest Animal Crossing New Horizons hit the shelves last week, which provides the perfect escape.
REACH OUT
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by everything that’s going on, it’s perfectly normal. You may be stressed about employment, worried about money, feeling anxious about your health and missing your loved ones.
These feelings are all to be expected in unprecedented times like these. What’s important is that if feelings become overwhelming, you reach out for support.
Charities such as Samaritans and CALM run dedicated helplines, so you can speak to a trained volunteer if your feelings are beginning to become too much.
For general tips and advice, websites such as Mind, the Mental Health Foundation, SAMH and Rethink can all provide coping strategies and advice on managing distressing feelings.
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