MindSpace Stamford: Recognising feelings of loneliness or anxiety in lockdown is a first step to managing them

Community has always been at the heart of what MindSpace has been trying to engender, in all we do to improve our wellbeing.

We know from science that social isolation negatively impacts both our physical and mental health.

Never in recent history have we needed community more and the negative impact of losing social connections will already be felt by most of us.

Many will be feeling anxious, pensive or fearful, lonely or homesick. These are all completely normal given the unprecedented circumstances we find ourselves in.

Recognising, accepting and acknowledging these feelings is a good first step to managing them.

Reminding ourselves that these are due to temporary measures put in place to protect a small but significant proportion of our ‘neighbours’.

However, new connections are being made all over Stamford due to the current situation of social isolation.

In our community we have seen incredible kindness and giving over the last couple of weeks.

For example, offers of shopping, medicine collection, dog walking, pet food. Donations of home grown produce, cake, eggs and the like.

Our advice at this early stage, is, if you are struggling with isolation, be bold and reach out (although not physically!) to somebody, be it a friend or family or neighbour.

Why not suggest a similar idea to some people on your own street?

You will find that people never will have been more open and approachable and, in all likelihood, appreciative of the connection themselves. There will be people more than willing to help, and to be helped.

As the whole of the world grapples with ‘how to do community’ in these difficult times, over the coming weeks and months we will be offering support and advice through this column.

In this we will be highlighting ways to stay well, and giving practical tips.

We also welcome any suggested topics from readers. Get in touch at info@mindspacestamford.com

In our next contribution we shall be sharing ideas about the NHS’s ‘5 Ways to Wellbeing’, building on the work already undertaken in our local schools, and providing the opportunity for all citizens of the area, young and old, to share the same language.

To find out more about MindSpace Stamford, click here.