It’s a strange time. There’s no doubt about it! The current pandemic and the measures being taken to help limit the impact of coronavirus mean that, for many, anxiety is at an all time high.
This may manifest itself in many ways: fear, muscle tension, heart palpitations, insomnia, difficulty concentrating, restlessness, feeling on edge and irritability.
Dr Katie Williams, a Clinical Psychologist in the NHS, has written this helpful mini-guide to help anyone feeling stressed and anxious.
FIVE-a-day, but not as you know it!
Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations. It is understandable to be getting worried about COVID-19 and how it is going to impact upon your life.
Evidence points to 5 steps we can take to improve our emotional wellbeing. These are as relevant now as ever and include:
1. STAY CONNECTED - via email, social media, telephone conferencing
2. STAY ACTIVE - Get creative with ways to stay active. Yoga home exercise, housework!
3. TAKE NOTICE - Also known as mindfulness. Pay attention to the present moment, which includes your thoughts and feelings, your body and the world around you
4. GIVE - Committing to an act of kindness once a week has been associated with improved wellbeing
5. KEEP LEARNING - Research shows that learning new skills can improve our wellbeing. Even if you feel you do not have time or may not need to learn a new thing, there are lots of ways to bring learning into your life, such as hobbies, DIY and cooking
Remember, take steps to not spread anxiety.
Compassion and calm are contagious too!