TOP TIPS TO BANISH YOUR LOCKDOWN LETHARGY

MONTHS of being trapped indoors means many are feeling rundown and lacking in energy. You know you should be trying to be healthy, but the motivation to do anything has drained away.

But don’t beat yourself up. After all, we’re grieving for a life which, though it wasn’t perfect, was at least more stable and predictable than the one we face now. But to deal with our feelings, we need to acknowledge them. Indeed, there are four stages to grief.

First, denial: in the words of Donald Trump, this will ‘just disappear’. Then, anger: why hasn’t the Government sorted this? How will I ever go back to my old life?

Third, depression: will I still have a job in a few months? What about my children’s prospects? With these dark thoughts, we turn to comfort eating and box sets, which only make things worse.

Finally, acceptance: adapting to ‘the new normal’. In my view, we are all emerging into this final stage now, and we must cling to hope. I firmly believe a safe and effective vaccine will become available before the end of this year. Meanwhile, if you’re feeling drained and anxious, here are a few practical tips to help…

■ MAKE time to practise calming breathing techniques or even mindful meditation. I use a breathing exercise called 4:2:4. I breathe in through my nose to a count of four, hold it for a count of two, then breathe out to a count of four. Do this for a couple of minutes. Your heart rate will drop and you should feel much calmer.

■ EXERCISE is a great stress-buster, boosting the production of feelgood neurotransmitters. If you don’t fancy running or cycling, aim to do a few brisk walks a day for Just 10-20 minutes each is fine, and you will get a real boost from being outside. I recommend downloading the Active 10 app.

■ BUILD up your muscles. I’ve never been a fan of the gym, but there are plenty of strengthbuilding exercises you can do at home. The two most basic are the squat and the press-up. I do them first thing, as I know if I don’t do them then, I never will. Start slowly, doing as many as you can, and build up over time.

■ LIMIT social-media use. There is clear evidence that the more time you spend on it, the more stressed and depressed you get.

■ CUT back on booze. Heavy alcohol consumption will wreck your sleep, weaken your immune system and make you prone to weight gain.

■ BE GRATEFUL. Keep a gratitude diary where every evening, before you go to bed, you write down three good things that happened that day. The simple act of remembering and writing things down makes you feel better.