The outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19) and the rate at which information is changing is forcing us to change our behaviour drastically, taking a toll not only on our physical health, but our mental health too. 

Adapting to changes brought on by the pandemic will inevitably be difficult for most of us, which is why it’s important to protect our mental health during such an uncertain time. So what are the steps we should be taking to look after our mental wellbeing? 

Control your media intake 

Whether it’s turning into the news or reading information shared on social media platforms, a way to protect your mental health is to avoid excessive exposure to media coverage. 

Try to schedule in times during your day to keep yourself informed of any updates, but make sure you’re only accessing trusted sources of information. 

For up-to-date advice and guidelines, visit the NHS and government websites. 

Focus on what you CAN control

Focusing on the things you can control can help you to achieve a greater sense of wellbeing and decrease levels of anxiety. 

Creating a schedule for your day and establishing a routine are all steps you can take, while making sure you’re incorporating a variety of things to do to keep your mind stimulated. 

Take control of your social media and make it work for you by ‘muting’ or ‘unfollowing’ specific words or profiles that are particularly triggering for your anxiety. 

Look after yourself 

With the lack of normal routine brought on by the pandemic, particularly as a result of self-isolation, it can be easy for people to fall out of routine and into unhealthy patterns of behaviour. 

Remember to take care of your body. If you find yourself feeling quite anxious, take some slow, deep breaths to help calm your body down. You could use this as an opportunity to practice meditation by following guided videos online. 

Try to maintain a healthy, well-balanced diet and avoid drinking alcohol or taking drugs. 

Remember, exercise can be brought into your daily routine at home, regardless of whether or not you own any equipment. You can keep active by accessing online workouts, walking up and down the stairs or cleaning your house. If you have a garden, make use of it by getting out for some fresh air and using the space to move around in. 

Stay connected with others 

The government is advising us all to take social distancing measures in order to reduce the transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19). Despite such measures, it’s more important than ever to stay connected with others to maintain our mental wellbeing. But with self-isolation and physical distancing being key, how do we do this?

Check that you’ve got the correct phone numbers and email addresses of those you want to keep in touch with, and reach out to others who might be feeling lonely. 

Schedule times throughout the day to video call or chat with people using instant messaging to help break up your day if you are self-isolating. 

Remember to share your concerns with friends and family and let them know how you’re feeling. It’s very likely that they’re experiencing similar feelings and talking it through with others can help us to work together to improve our mental health.