If you are anything like me there would have been a temptation to make a huge G&T, hunker down, watch endless newsreel and grow steadily more wide-eyed and worried. Tempting but don’t!!

I have never heard the word unprecedented used so often: these are definitely crazy times. Our busy lives have ground to a near halt and, having always thought ‘more time’ would be great, we suddenly find ourselves with diaries cleared for the foreseeable future. That in itself can feel rather unhinging.

This ‘break’ from our schedules doesn’t come with the relaxing effects of a holiday. Instead we have the relentless worries of how our loved ones are faring, how to earn, how to keep a business afloat, employees paid and stock from spoiling, how to entertain little ones, false use and misinformation, queues at shops, online or on call helplines, crime, the financial repercussions of the current spending, the list goes on and on.

1.    If the statistics are worrying you then turn off the TV and radio. Listen to your own music lists, watch iPlayer/Netflix/box sets, whatever you have. There is no benefit in scaring yourself with information that you can’t do anything about other than distancing yourself. So, give yourself a break from it.

2.    The same goes for Social media. If it’s not helping your mental help, then flick over it and find the heart-warming stories instead. This is a great time to view how much society is working together.

3.    30 minutes of moderate exercise 5 times a week is statistically proven to make a huge difference to your well-being. If you’re not stuck in a town then make the most of the countryside and get out. You may not feel like it, but the exercise will release endorphins and help improve your mood. If you’re city-bound then this is a quite a bit harder. Don’t beat yourself up about it but if you can make the most of what space you have then there are loads of youtube video ideas to get in some exercise. If nothing else, dance to your favourite tunes in the kitchen!

4.    Breathe

5.    This is a great time to connect to people. Usually we send texts, but a call is so much nicer and helps us feel connected. Not only will having a chat with a friend help you but in caring for your friends at this moment, it will make you feel better too. There’s a lot of research that in supporting others we feel better about ourselves, have a greater sense of purpose and, importantly for anxiety, of control of our environment.

6.    Try and eat a balanced diet. I know it’s an obvious one and not always easy at the moment so I won’t go on about it! But if you can avoid Alcohol and coffee then that’s a great start.

7.    Breathe.

8.    Write a list of what you can control and what is beyond your control. Then focus on getting the former into the best order you can. Rip up the latter. Most of the worries won’t come to pass. You do not know the future so try to live in the present. I know easier said than done, but please try for your sake.

9.    Breathe. Deeply. And again

10.    Note all the amazing things that are going on: people really are kind, thoughtful and want to help each other. A while ago, quite a while ago, I hitch hiked through Europe. I was amazed that not only did my then boyfriend and I get a lot of lifts (we looked pretty smelly and had two huge backpacks) but the generosity that people show. We were often fed, had people sort accommodation for us, and on one occasion in Germany we were taken home and had a luxurious night in a proper bed. Keep that in mind when you hear of those that are behaving poorly. Remember they are vastly in the minority.

11.    People work best in tribes. During this isolated time we want to connect and be part of something.

12.    Try to do something for the soul, whether it’s an adult colouring book, sewing, learning an instrument, doing photo albums, learning a skill online and do it because you want to not because you’re berating yourself that ‘here’s another thing I can’t do’. Be kind to yourself.

13.    Remember to laugh. Even if you don’t want to. Even forcing laughter can create a positive chemical release in your body. The more you laugh the more your body will be inclined too. I appreciate that can be hard at the moment.