Isolation - Top tips on how to get through it.

At some point in the past year, most of us have been put into some kind of isolation. Whether it be through sickness, catching the coronavirus. Whether it be via the NHS app, informing you that you have been in contact! Maybe you have placed yourself in isolation as a way of protecting a loved one or a holiday of some kind. Either way, isolation has become a common term these days and it doesn't look to be going away anytime soon! So here we are going to look at ways that isolation can affect us, and what we can do to help us through it. And no, you don't have to be Joe Wicks!

So what is it that is getting us through isolation? Well the first, and one of the most common, is exercise. Now, according to the NHS website, an adult should be looking at 150 mins of moderate exercise per week. This doesn't have to be a Joe Wicks workout. This can be a few walks per week. A brisk walk everyday has proven to help with physical and mental health, and with stress levels higher than average, many are using their spare time to get out and into nature.

Now, if you are in isolation, then you obviously can't go out walking through your local nature reserve. But spending time in your garden, if you have one, can be just as good for you. It can be physical (if you want it to be), and just being outside can help you mentally.

Not everyone has access to the outdoors whilst in isolation. So what else can help you? Currently, book sales are at an eight year high. Indicating that people are turning to reading as a way of dealing with spare time. With top sellers, including books from Piers Morgan, Phillip Schofield and two from heavyweight champion of the world Tyson Fury being released last year. There is plenty of content to choose from. And if that doesn't tickle your fancy, some self help from ex SAS Ant Middleton could be a two birds, one stone shot. You can even combine the two by taking a book outside with you! Now, if your thinking "that sounds great, but I can't do the whole reading thing", then you're in luck. Maybe try your hand with an audiobook and have someone read it to you instead!

Now, your not necessarily struggling with your physical or mental health. Maybe you're just plain bored! Many people are taking up hobbies as a way of doing something new. These can include sports, crafts, baking or something complete out of the blue like starting a blog! (who would've thought it!). With the internet available in the palm of our hands, learning something new has never been more accessible to us. You can teach yourself something with self help videos, or you can even sign up for an online course to get yourself a qualification in your spare time. With the open university, you can study a number of free courses ranging from history, to science. You can learn about nature and the environment, or try yourself with courses in education. There is something for everyone. Alternatively, if you would rather self teach yourself a hobby, there are tons on videos online helping you to learn skills such as baking, DIY, or even playing a musical instrument. Baking has been a big hit this year. With the country going bananas about banana bread, and hit shows like the Great British Bake Off on our screens, baking has become a fun way for families to learn and bond together whilst stuck at home.

Whatever you choose to do during these tough times, it is important that we look after ourselves and others. With mental health being a massive topic of discussion recently, it is important to remember to stay kind and be mindful of others as well as ourselves. With suicide rates continuing to rise in the UK, particularly among young men, it seems to be the best time to check in on those who are alone at the moment. And if you are alone at the moment and need someone to talk to, please see some useful numbers below. With a lot more available online.

Samaritans - 116 123 - 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

SANEline - 03003047000 - everyday 4:30pm-10:30pm

HOPELINEUK - 08000684141 - weekdays 10am-10pm, weekends/bank holidays 2pm-10pm

CALM - 0800585858 - everyday, 5pm-midnight