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Coping in a Covid-19 World

The last year has been a unique and unforeseeable one for all of us. The Covid 19 pandemic and in particular the accompanying quarantines and need for relative self isolation and separation from loved ones has bee challenging.

The last year has been a unique and unforeseeable one for all of us. The Covid 19 pandemic and in particular the accompanying quarantines and need for relative self isolation and separation from loved ones has bee challenging.
This poses a threat to our emotional wellbeing and in some cases our mental health. In this sort article we consider how you can help and support yourself and others at this time.
Aspects of quarantine which can be particularly challenging include not only its duration but associated issues including,fear of infection,boredom,frustration, inadequate access to essential supplies, access to reliable information,and financial loss and its consequences. I'm sure you can think of many more. Some of us are particularly vulnerable because of age, underlying medical conditions or indeed because of the job we do. When uncertainty about the future is added to the mix this can be a very challenging time for may of us.

What can I do to help?

There are a number of things you can do which may help.

  1. Try to keep some structure in your day. Don't let it become totally unfocussed. Try to do a couple of things each day which give you some pleasure and also to do a couple of things which need to be done(procrastination is a real temptation at a time like this).
  2. Try to get some exercise -even if this has to be indoors on occasion.
  3. Find a way to relax when you are feeling uptight -practicing progressive muscular relaxation may be useful. Instruction for this may be found on the NHS web site-www.cntw.nhs.uk -also learning a new skill like Mindfulness may also be useful-https://mindfulnessuk.com
  4. Try to sleep well-look on the mental Health Foundation website(see below) for advice on this.
  5. Talk to friends
  6. Avoid excessive use of alcohol or drugs
  7. Ration your contact with the media ,especially social media
  8. Keep a gratitude journal-write down two thing per day which you are thankful for
  9. Consider keeping a positive log-this is related to the above but slightly different.Write down a couple of things each day which you have achieved or which have goen weel for you. Looking back on this and indeed on your gratitude journal can help you keep things in perspective on days which are going less well
  10. Finally there are some excellent sources of online help including the following.
  • Mental health Foundation-www.mental health.org.uk
  • Living Life to The Full-www.llttf.com-especially good for those with anxiety or depression
  • samaritans-www.samaritans.org-phone 116123
  • breathing space-www.breathingspace.scot