With Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions and uncertain winter months ahead, there has never been a more important time to mind your mental health, according to leading Irish psychologists with Perspectives Ireland.

According to the 'Adjusting to COVID-19' study carried out by Dublin City University's School of Psychology, Irish people have suffered significantly greater mental health issues during Covid-19 – with increasing levels of loneliness and social isolation, less tolerance of uncertainty, and lower perceived control over their lives.

Perspectives Ireland, a new Irish consulting psychology company, have issued advice for Irish people, to help them stay as well as they possibly can during this difficult time. Take a look at their recommendations below:

• Try to go outside for at least 30 minutes every day. Notice how the ground feels under your feet, the smells, how the air feels on your face, notice your thoughts (whether you’re drawn to thinking about the kids, or work), notice how you may feel, and try to own all of this experience, including any guilt you may have for taking this time to yourself. Notice how you can have all of these experiences (good or bad) and still make time for you.
• If you can’t go outside, make a space in your home for you where you are physically away from the overwhelming details of routine. Try to use this space to re-ground yourself away from all those details. Remember this is not about distracting from the details, it’s about giving yourself permission to make this space for you and trying to own every aspect of it.
• If you can’t physically make a space in your home, then at least make time for you – have a bath, or have a cup of coffee, read a book – take some time for yourself.
• Take an extra 5-10 minutes each day to write down any part of your experience today that was affected by coronavirus or its restrictions and ask yourself was that difficult for you and how might it be possible to compensate for anything that was difficult or was taken away from you.

“Our take-home message is simple," says Dr Ciara Mc Enteggart, Co-Founder of Perspectives Ireland. "Find a place and time where you can own something again that is just for you. We never give ourselves enough time. This is even more important during the six weeks of level five restrictions because we have lost the other things that make us feel fulfilled.”

Perspectives Ireland are running a free webinar to discuss these issues and advise people how we can value ourselves more in these difficult times. For more information, visit perspectivesireland.ie.