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A cancelled Christmas and prohibitive Tier 4 restrictions could be causing a spike in your anxiety levels. We ask hypnotherapist Malminder Gill for advice on how to regain a sense of calm during this particularly tough phase of the pandemic…
Why is coronavirus causing anxiety?
Anxiety caused by the coronavirus is not down to one single factor. As a generation, this is the first time we have had to deal with something of this scale so it’s only natural that it’s going to lead to a rise in the number of us feeling anxious. A cancelled Christmas and a ban on travel would have been unthinkable this time a year ago.
There are a number of factors contributing to a feeling of anxiety: continuing uncertainty about when the pandemic will end, prolonged isolation, and many people have financial worries.
The majority of us have had to adapt our everyday routine, which as creatures of habit, does not come easily to us. But it’s important, especially during the festive season and into the new year, that we think about our mental health and help ourselves and those around us to stay calm.
How can we protect our mental health?
1. Exercise outdoors
It’s important that we still make time for ourselves and have some time out – exercise is a great place to start and even better if we can do it outside in the fresh air.
2. Breathe
Breathing techniques can quickly and effectively reduce the symptoms of stress and anxiety. The most common breathing techniques are calm breathing, slow deep breathing, belly breathing and alternate nostril breathing.
3. Journal
If you’re self-isolating or having to work from home, journaling and practicing mindfulness each day is a great tool to identify stress, gather your thoughts, and calm your anxiety.
4. Have a routine
It’s easy for us to feel anxious when our day to day is disturbed. Setting yourself a daily routine, incorporating time to exercise, meditate and do yoga is important.
5. Limit news consumption
Have two to three trusted sources that you check only a couple of times a day helps to avoid reading fake news articles and opinions that aren’t factual. If social media is causing you anxiety, limit the time you spend on this too.
Malminder Gill has created a free online programme to guide those suffering through managing stress, avoiding unnecessary panic and reducing anxiety. Click here to download the online course.
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