With the coronavirus outbreak situation developing every day, 鈥榮elf-isolation鈥� is one of the topics that everybody has been talking about.

The Government has advice about and how to do it.

But what about the impact that cutting off human contact will have on your mental health and wellbeing.

Our member Kathryn Kinmond says there are simple things you can do if you鈥檙e in this situation over the next few months, to help look after your wellbeing.

鈥淔or most people the need for human contact is a basic instinct,鈥� she said. 鈥淭herefore when you are forced to be alone, it can have a negative impact on wellbeing and psychological health.

鈥淲e often think of this as a major problem for older people, but it is going to be affecting a mix of ages now.

鈥淪olitary confinement has been used as a punishment for hundreds of years. It鈥檚 understandable that the idea of it in this situation has scared people.

鈥淚solation can cause immense stress, there will be pinch points, but there are things you can do to have relieve that.鈥�

Kathryn, a psychotherapist based in Staffordshire, recommended a series of things that you can do if self-isolation is affecting your mental health and well-being.

Keep in contact with people in other ways

鈥淗uman contact and connection is really important. We can keep in contact with people by Facetime, Whatsapp, Skype, and those conversations and interactions can really help at this time,鈥� says Kathryn.

Reframe

鈥淚f you can reframe your thoughts into being positive, that can help. If it鈥檚 possible try to think of this time as an opportunity to get something done. It might reading a book, doing your ironing, drawing, catching up on something. Try to get into a positive mind frame. Remember this is for a set time period."

Try to keep a sense of normality

鈥淚f you鈥檙e not sick, and you鈥檙e able to work from home, that can be really helpful. Try to keep a sense of normality as far as possible," adds Kathryn.

Self-care

It鈥檚 important to practise self-care if you鈥檙e self-isolating.

鈥淭ake that time to look after yourself,鈥� says Kathryn. 鈥淪elf-care is an important avenue here.鈥�

If you鈥檙e stuck by yourself, even if you鈥檙e confined to one room of your house, you may still be able to do some meditation, yoga or even some basic physical activity while watching an exercise video.

Kathryn says you may want to look after yourself by limiting the amount of time you spend reading the news or looking at social media.

Strategies for anxiety

The worry for many people who are self-isolating is that they are going to become ill. They鈥檒l also potentially be concerned about their family鈥檚 health and welfare.

If that is making you feel very anxious, we鈥檝e published some strategies to help you cope with anxiety relating to coronavirus.

Kathryn works with her clients to de-escalate their anxiety, and to try to ground them.

She adds: 鈥淏reathing techniques can be useful.鈥�

To find a counsellor or psychotherapist who provides telephone or online counselling visit our Therapist Directory.