Uncertain times

I, like many others have been aware of the difficult time that we as country, and indeed the world, are currently facing. But it wasn’t until last week when things in the UK ramped up a gear that I started to change my attitude towards what was going on. 

When things are tough, we often want to bury our heads in the sand, pretend like it isn’t happening to us. But now it all seems so much more real. It has plunged us all into a time of uncertainty and hearing the constant updates on the news on what has become a pandemic feels relentless. We can take the practical solutions as directed, and we would be stupid not to follow these. But it’s also taking its toll on our mental wellbeing. 

Being concerned about what is happening is understandable but for those with anxiety and OCD in particular, this is heightened. Worrying about the unknown and sitting on the edge of your seat almost, waiting for what could happen next and feeling like our lives have been put on hold. But how can we deal with these uncertain times?  Its important to look after yourself mentally too when things become too challenging. And I’m learning that slowly, trying to not let the panic take over. I’m scared, but we all are. The advice from the World Health Organisation tells us to avoid watching, reading or listening to the news, which in itself is do-able. But when you are still going into work and the talk is all on the one subject around you, it’s not so easy to shut it out. And social media, not a good place to necessarily be right now, as false advice and scaremongering is rife. Quite often I find it a good place, helping me to get through issues, but it also has its downside, and maybe taking some time away wouldn’t be a bad idea. 

With weeks, possibly months of this pandemic ahead, we need to take time and effort to look after ourselves and those around us in the best way we can. Whether this means getting outside where possible, or just having the space to read a book, do something you’ve been meaning to do for a while, we need to make sure that we at least try. But stay connected, with friends and family, so we can all support each other through this. Its scary, but we are not alone in this. How we are reacting is normal in such an extraordinary time and much like other similar events within our history, it will also pass. We just need to ride the storm a little longer.