Small things can make a big difference to our mental health

With all the uncertainty, it’s important to acknowledge that many of us will be feeling anxious at the moment. Here are some things what we can do to help us through the coming weeks.

Focus on what you CAN control.

Always focus on the facts, and what you can control. It’s really easy to get anxious and stressed about the scale of the virus outbreak when you’re scrolling through scary headlines. Accept those feelings, and know that they’re normal. Then, think of what you CAN control, like washing your hands, keeping social distancing, and following the government guidelines.

Have a routine.

Many of us are used to having a daily routine. It’s important to keep some sort of structure to our days in isolation. If you’re working from home, try to work only in your usual working hours where possible. Can’t go to the gym now? Set some time aside for exercise. Having lots of spare time? Why not enrol on and e-learning course and learn a new skill?

Limit your time on social media.

Social media is a great way of keeping in contact with friends and family. Spending time endlessly scrolling through feeds can be very unhelpful for our mental health.

Try to limit yourself to three ‘scrolls’ per day. Unfollow, or block, sources that add or cause you anxiety. Why not decide on a certain time of the day to check your feeds?

There can be a lot of bad information presented on social media. Why not follow sites like the World Health Organisation or the NHS? These are verified sites, and should be up to date with the latest information.

Have some quiet time.

Mindfulness is something that most of us have heard of. There are many Apps and websites available that give us guided breathing sessions and meditations. These can be very beneficial to our mental health. It has been proven that something as simple as focusing on our breath can interrupt our busy thoughts, and help to lower blood pressure and heart rate. This can really help us when in stressful situations.

Exercise.

When we’re isolated, we will naturally move around less. Keeping active right now is crucial for both our physical and mental health. Exercise releases endorphins that are effective in fighting stress and anxiety.

Many workouts are available online. Some of the major websites are offering their workouts free of charge at the moment. It’s always important not to push yourself if you’re new to exercise, or have a medical condition. Seek advice from a professional if you’re in any doubt.

Get outside if possible.

Been stuck in the house can be extremely draining, so if guidelines permit, getting outside for some fresh air can be very beneficial. This could be walking in a local park (maintaining social distancing of course), or simply out in our gardens reading a book. The birds seem especially active at the moment, be mindful of the different noises you can hear!

Talking to friends and family.

We’ve already mentioned social media is a good way to keep in touch. How about using technology and having regular Facetime or Skype calls? This builds much better social interaction than texts and messages.

Remember, this will pass.

When we awake in the morning to a cold and stormy day, we know that soon, the clouds will pass and the sun will eventually shine through. It might be difficult right now, but it’s important to remind ourselves that it will not always be this way. We are indeed in scary times right now, but taking time to recognise that this is not our permanent future is very important. Many crises have happened over the years, and have been resolved over time.