The light is at the end of the tunnel, and we have a roadmap leading us back to normality, but we aren't quite there yet.

Try these tips to help keep you feeling healthy and optimistic:

• Give yourself things to look forward to - it's harder than usual, but you can still plan small treats, such as a home movie night, a zoom cocktail party or even a long soak in the bath

• Set boundaries on news and social media - it's easy to get into the habit of checking the news and other social media many times each day. Unfortunately there is a lot of fear and anger to be found, and this can really get you down.  Try to limit your screen time, or tune in to a comedy instead to take you away from the gloom.

• Give your brain a rest with some meditation and feel your stress levels reduce - if you're new to it and not sure where to start, there are lots of apps available and some of them offer a free trial so you can try them before you have to start paying.

• Do some decluttering - often hard to get round to but well worth it if you can.  Clearing out a cupboard, giving a bag of stuff to the charity shop or selling some items online feels great and increases your sense of personal achievement.

• Practice gratitude - it can be really easy to let negative thoughts take over, but try to focus on what you have instead of what you don't; we all have things to be grateful for. 

• If you're really struggling, reach out - if every day feels like hard work and you can't seem to feel better, talk to someone.  Whether it's a friend, colleague or professional, it is important to look after your mental health and sometimes a bit of external help is needed. You won't be alone in feeling this way.

Here are some useful links that may help:

MIND - looking after your mental health during coronavirus

NHS - latest Covid-19 advice

Advice about counselling - British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy

Advice to improve quality of life - thecalmzone.net