HEALTH AND WELLBEING
HOW TO DEAL WITH UNCERTAINTY AND CHANGE IN TIMES OF CRISIS With life shifting rapidly, Liz Connor speaks to a mental health expert about how to keep day-to-day anxieties in check... The coronavirus lockdown has seen our lives change like never before, with supermarkets stripped bare, public gatherings banned and schools, pubs, and restaurants closed.
As well as affecting your mental wellbeing, Arroll says that these behaviours can result in poor sleep, fatigue and quite possibly a lowered immune system.
While we should all be taking hygiene practices, social distancing and government advice very seriously, it's important safeguard your mental health by keep your worries in perspective.
"Just as you'd help a child confront the monster under their bed, by acknowledging fears or concerns, you take away some of their influence over you," she says.
With the situation still unfolding, it's hard to not worry about what the future may hold though. We asked psychologist Dr Meg Arroll (healthspan.co.uk) to explain how we can stay strong amidst the uncertainty.
"Focus on controlling what you can - whilst you may not be able control the worldwide spread of this virus, you can follow recommended guidelines, monitor how much you check the
HOW CAN WE DEAL WITH THE FEARS AND WORRY RIGHT NOW IN THESE FEARFUL TIMES?
“While we should all be taking hygiene practices, social distancing and government advice very seriously, it's important safeguard your mental health by keep your worries in perspective.�
"First of all, acknowledge your fears and worries - trying to ignore, repress or displace your fears will only make them bubble up in other ways such as comfort eating, alcohol over-use and lack of self-care," says Arroll.
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