As important as it is to take care of our physical health, we should also be taking care of our mental health during this period of uncertainty and change.

There’s plenty of tips online about how to monitor and regulate your mental health, so we’ve compiled a list of 7 simple steps to nurture your mental wellbeing.

1. Self-Acceptance

It’s normal to be anxious in the face of a global pandemic, it’s an appropriate response and you don’t need to fight it. In fact, fighting anxiety or telling yourself to not be anxious can makes things worse. Instead, practise self–acceptance; accept that your response is normal and rather than chastising yourself for it, accept your emotional response early to help you move on from it quicker.

2. Only control what you can

Control what you can control and leave the rest. Focus on the thought and activities that soothe, energise and enliven you. Focus on the things you can directly control to improve your life and that of others.

3. Know your triggers

What triggers you? For some people it’s the 24-hour news cycle, for others it’s particular people who are draining or anxiety-inducing. Learn to identify your triggers and consequently avoid them. This may mean letting certain people know that you aren’t available at the moment or turning off the news. Take responsibility for your mental wellbeing.

4. Nutrition

Eat well and avoid excess alcohol. It can be tempting to pour a drink to quell nerves, but in the long run, alcohol is a depressant. Especially avoid binges as hangovers can exacerbate anxiety.

5. Social Interaction

Maintain your social contact through whatever virtual channels you can use and have some fun. Try regaining some normality to your social life with virtual pub quizzes and online games with your friends, such as Houseparty.

6. Exercise

Get some exercise every day; just 15-20 mins of high-intensity aerobic exercise can give you lovely endorphins that allow you to cruise through the rest of the day. The University of Sussex Health centre, Sussex Sport, have set up a great variety of free home workouts, available through zoom. Check out the timetable here.

7. Breathing techniques

If you are flooded with anxiety – try Polyvagal breathing. It’s a way of convincing your body and your mind that there are lions to run away from today, all is calm in the world

For further advice on managing pressure, maintaining team morale and wellbeing, book an initial consultation with Claire Pasquill.

Sussex Innovation has a plethora of resources to support you and your business at this time – whether you need emotional support, business advice or financial advice we can either help directly or point you in the direction of trusted advisors with the skills and backgrounds that you need. Please contact us via the community Slack channel or book a phone consultation using the details here.