Advice if you’re feeling anxious, lonely or claustrophobic

It’s natural for anyone to feel worried in the current situation, so we’ve put together simple tips and advice to support you through the lockdown and help you to look after your mental health.

Practice good self-care

It sounds simple, but eating well and enjoying lots of fruit and vegetables, exercising regularly and getting enough sleep will help you to feel good. These simple rules will also boost your immune system to keep you healthy and give you the best chance of staying free from infection. Check out this article for top tips and advice on staying active at home.

Feeling lonely?

Try to make contact with other people as often as possible. Remember friends, family, neighbours and colleagues are all stuck at home too and probably are as keen for a chat as you are. If you’re at home alone put up photos of people you care about as a nice reminder of the people in your life. Creating a group text, WhatsApp or email chain will enable you to easily communicate with loved ones. Set this up early before it feels like an emergency situation.

If you have no one to contact, you can join befriending schemes such as the online chat forum Elefriends run by MIND, Age UK’s telephone befriender scheme for older people or the befriending service run by The Carers Trust.

And if your home feels too quiet, turn on a chatty radio station to provide instant company.

Feeling anxious?

Constant talk of the pandemic can produce feelings of anxiety and depression so take break from listening, reading or watching the news. And let other people know you’re struggling and ask them not to talk about it with you.

Simple breathing exercises can help you to relax and relieve feelings of stress, anxiety and panic. Try the mental wellbeing audio guides available on the NHS website.

The MIND website also contains useful relaxation tips to help when you’re feeling stressed or worried.

The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) has more information on how to cope if you're feeling anxious about coronavirus.

Feeling claustrophobic?

No matter how large or small your home is, being told you’re not allowed out is bound to evoke feelings of claustrophobia in most people.

If you’re feeling enclosed, try to get as much fresh air as possible. If you don’t have a garden, sit on the doorstep or on the balcony or next to an open window. Looking up at the sky can help to give you a sense of space.

Spend time in different rooms so you’re not always looking at the same four walls.

Further help and support

For lots more advice about how to look after your mental health during COVID-19 visit MIND and for up-to-date health information visit the NHS website.