You’re not alone.

How are you doing? This post is dedicated to talking about mental health at a time when life is challenging and changing in ways that no one could have prepared for.

Surveys are reporting on the impact of COVID on mental health with a recent study by YouGov putting Brits as most likely to report that COVID has harmed their mental health (65 per cent)*.

There’s no doubt that it’s reassuring to know that you’re not alone in this time of uncertainty. An article in the Newstatesman outlines the impact with the journalist describing her experience of being blindsided by the affect of the pandemic, stating “At first I tried to brush it off as a bad week”.

The ongoing stress can lead to “psychological hibernation”, psychologist Emma Kavanagh tells the Guardian, leading to loss of concentration, poor sleep and memory issues. 

And the Financial Times heard from hundreds of readers who are feeling the strain too.

This really is a collective burnout and you really aren’t alone. 

So what can we all do to stay on the jolly side? How can we acknowledge the stressors but not become overwhelmed by them? How do we set boundaries when working from home?

Here are some things you can try out during your working day… plus some resources where you can find support when you need it the most.

Get Dressed, set your schedule, be kind

We dive in to working from home habits more in this blog. Depending on your workload, other responsibilities and how you are feeling each day, be kind to yourself and be realistic with your expectations. If you’re managing a team do heck in with everyone and make space in the daily meetings for chit chat & socialisation.

Take regular breaks

From dance breaks to snack stops, get up and stretch and stick your head out the window for a glug of fresh air. It’ll do you wonders. We were going to post our favourite tune to move to but we wouldn’t want you to judge us on our music taste!

Remember that we’ll all be back together again one day soon

Help is there if you need it.

Here are some resources for you if you need some support:

MIND has a space where you'll find reliable information and tips to help you cope during this time.

Samaritans are open 24 hours a day to offer support.

Brighton & Hove City Council have put together some advice about managing your health and wellbeing during the coronavirus crisis. Check your local authority for similar support in your area.

The NHS have a comprehensive list of mental health charities.

OneYou offers advice on maintaining healthy lifestyle including meal plans and recipes.