Anyone who knows me will be aware that I’m a bit of a stress cadet at the best of times, so this post is as much therapy for me as it is anything else. I’m hoping it might help others though too, please do comment and share your own tips for managing stress. These are the ideas that I’ve come up with:

• Be informed, but not obsessive. 24/7 news and social media updates are likely to worry you more than you need to be. Do something else instead.

• Follow the advice given to the best of your ability and then be satisfied that you are doing everything you can to stay safe.
• Practise Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and upturn negative thoughts into positive ones. Don’t go down the road of ‘what ifs’ – it doesn’t help anyone or change anything.
• Don’t look too far ahead but stay in the present. We can’t know how this will pan out yet and speculation will just get your blood pressure soaring.
• If you have symptoms then treat them as you would any other flu symptoms. Don’t jump to the worst conclusions.
• Distract yourself. For example, write letters and postcards to friends and family. In emails and texts it can be easy to be dramatic, but writing an actual letter can be soothing. Treat it like you might a ‘Christmas update’ letter.
• If you are struggling to settle to doing anything then make a short list of accomplishable goals and tick them off as you do them. It will ease your  sense of panic.
• Know that the best world scientists are looking for a cure for this virus.
• Be creative in the kitchen. Don’t not bother to cook properly just because you may be only feeding yourself.
• Try and remember what you always wish you had time to do and make an action plan to actually do it.
• Avoid losing your cool with the people around you. Remember they are actually the people you love the most. If you get the urge to scream then go for a walk!
• Consciously do something that is kind for someone else. For example, think of someone who may be feeling lonely or in a worse predicament than you are and check in with them. Even if you can’t actively help them they will welcome knowing that you care.
• Before you go to bed, or when you wake up, create a structured timetable for your day so that it doesn’t just drift by in a sea of anxiety.
• Complete a ‘boring job’ that you know needs doing, such as tidying a draw or a cupboard.
• If you can concentrate then indulge a ‘stay at home’ hobby as much as you can.
• Listen to audible books, taking advantage of the free books that currently exist.
• Often at work there is a task that always gets put to the bottom of the list. If possible complete it from home, whilst you have the time.
• Write a thank you card to the people currently keeping you and your loved ones afloat, eg the local supermarket staff or care workers.
• Organise your photographs and turn an online album into an actual album using one of the many products available.
• Binge watch a series you have missed out on, or investigate new podcasts.
• If people seem irritated and irritable, remember that they are under a lot of stress and don’t bite to provocation.
• Do some gardening or DIY, but don’t be too ambitious as then you will be even more stressed if things don’t go to plan!