We are all in this strange and scary world of lockdown, with the global pandemic covid 19 not showing any signs yet of going away. As I write this our country’s Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, is in intensive care, being treated for coronavirus symptoms.

There is, inevitably, the worry that this prolonged isolation and shutdown will have a huge impact on people’s mental health. Whilst there are some positives – a community spirit, endless acts of kindness, selfless people volunteering to be on the frontline – this is a massively stressful and worrying time for most of us.

We do not yet have a clear idea of when things will be back to normal and I think it is this uncertainty which is so unsettling for many. We seem to be stuck in a kind of purgatory which feels as if it might be our reality for a good long time to come.

There has been masses of advice and suggestions to keep healthy, mentally and physically. It’s almost overwhelming. We are instructed to have a strict routine, make sure we take our daily exercise, take advantage of all the helpful stuff on the internet, connect with people via Skype, FaceTime or zoom, learn a new skill.

This is all very helpful but my personal feeling is that we should relish this time to take things slower, to simplify our lives, to declutter and de-stress. I have caught myself enjoying the non-urgency of this life, learning to actually enjoy times where I do not have to do anything at all. As children we would experience whole swathes of time when there was very little going on. We somehow got used to being bored. We did not have to be doing something every moment of the day. As a result our minds were calmer, I am sure of it.

Therefore, I would urge you – if you are one of the many who are confined at home – relish the simplicity and calm. Stay home and stay safe, it’s all you have to do. Follow the instructions and guidance of the government and support our wonderful NHS and key workers who are doing an absolutely amazing job.

We don’t need to learn mandarin, write a novel or build a new extension. We just need to get through this, with grace and strength. And we will.

#stayathome