6 ways to cope with uncertainty and change

Here are 6 simple ways you can protect yourself from anxiety during times of change:

Try to focus on just the day ahead of you rather than fixating on longer-term plans. Put down your phone and relax for a moment. Living purely in the moment is a skill that Tibetan monks, and people who meditate, practice because it helps them feel happy - you can just as easily do it as well!

Just take one day at a time, and if you feel your mind drifting bring it back to focus on doing something mindful or creative, like making a creative scrapbook.

The current situation has taken away from most us the ability to make plans and stick to them. It's natural to want to make plans, and have things to look forward but, for now only, it's better to focus on things that are closer in time, like the next few days or weeks to avoid disappointment if activities we plan don't turn out to be exactly the way we imagined.

To help you feel more in control of your life and less stressed about the changes around you, find your own little routine that can help you keep focus on the here and now. Routines give us a great sense of security, for example, you can control what time to play your favourite game to relax, or how long to spend online talking with friends, and that can be something that happens every day at the same time with no interruptions. Here’s more on making a great daily routine. 

Don’t spend too much time online reading social media and following every news story. It can be hard to tell what is real or accurate, and everyone likes to share their opinions online. Unfollow accounts that stress you out to avoid feeling like the news is spiraling out of control.

Try and stay focused on positive stories, and places or people that give a balanced views.

Whether over online messages, the phone, or in person - tell your family and friends how you are feeling because other people will most likely be feeling the same way and talking to people you trust will always help.*

*However! When talking to others about your worries and stresses try not to borrow their troubles. Some of your friends might have their own worries, or be feeling more negative than you do. None of us have magic powers to predict the future, so don't be too concerned by new worries other people may have, just be a good friend and send them over to Own It.

Uncertainty will not be with us forever, but these clever tools and ways of thinking can be with you for life!

Advice from Dr George Kitsaras (CPscyhol), University of Manchester.