Hi, so there are some useful things in Louche Lockdown Links , but I thought I might add my own coping mechanisms here for anyone who might be interested.

Firstly, my life is easier than most. I am out of contract but my husband isn’t and we can live on that. I am at home with him and I like him lots. I am one of those weird people who is actually friends with / on amicable speaking terms with my neighbours. That all said… here are some things that could help.

1. Give yourself a break. This is a weird time and it is scary and just because you aren’t ill or don’t currently know anyone who is doesn’t mean you can’t be frightened or stressed or find the world a freaky place. You have a right to your messed up feelings, they never were logical and they are never going to be.

2. If you can, give yourself a routine or at the very least a couple of things to accomplish in the day). It doesn’t have to be complex or all encompassing. It can just be… get up before 8. Eat at least one symbolic vegetable amongst all the junk food. Don’t work 18 hours just ‘cos you are at home.

3. Do some form of exercise. Preferably something ridiculous. We go for sensible walks and things but have also taken to doing a bizarre parody of HIIT / interval exercises where our 40 seconds might be plank or it might be running around a stool with one hand on it. My tummy muscles are exercised by the laughing mostly…

4. Be liberated from trends. Lots of people are baking bread, gardening, making Dalgona coffee, doing jigsaw puzzles, but you can do you… You are in the security of your own home – if you just want to reread all the romance novels in the world that is just as useful really. I like making Dalgona coffee though – it is an excuse for a milkshake.

5. Talk to people, people you used to speak to all the time and people you didn’t. Phone them like it is 1994 or Zoom them to see their face, say hi!

6. There are consolations in philosophy, you can take it from pop songs,Twitter or the meditations of Marcus Aurelius, anywhere … Just think about how you want to deal with the world and come up with a way of dealing that suits you (one that preferably reduces panic attacks and pointless whining)

Good luck