The coronavirus pandemic is creating stress in the global population. Empty store shelves, fear about the disease and quarantine or self-isolation can negatively impact depression and anxiety. The mental health implications of the pandemic will impact everyone differently, and clinical psychologists at Flow Neuroscience have offered a guide to support andmanage ones mental health and those of others during these times.

Globalconcern about coronavirus means its very important to keep the normal routineas much as possible when it comes to sleep, nutrition and exercise,particularly in people with existing mental health problems, says DanielMansson, clinical psychologist and co-founder of Flow Neuroscience. In thecurrent situation, finding ways to maintain your normal routine is essential toreducing stress and potential depressive thoughts that may appear.

Theconstant news about the pandemic can feel relentless and may exacerbate existingmental health problems. Be careful about the balance of watching important newsand the news that could cause you to feel depressed. Seek trusted information,such as the NHS website, at specific times to take practical steps to protectyourself and loved ones. Have breaks from social media and mute triggeringkeywords and accounts.

Somepeople might feel that talking about their depression and anxiety requires noadditional attention during these unprecedented times. People should beencouraged to talk about their feelings. Various support helplines areavailable, including Samaritans, as well as mental health crisis services, details ofwhich can be found via the mental health charity Mind.

Anxietyis likely to increase during the current crisis, but a well-nourished body isbetter at handling stress. Traditional Mediterranean food, sometimes referredto as the anti-depression diet, for its anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatoryproperties, includes whole grains, vegetables (particularly green leaves),fruit, berries, nuts (including almonds), seeds and olive oil. The Flow app,free to download on iOSand Android, can help people to improve their nutrition and reduce the risk ofdepression at home.

90%of depressed people struggle with sleep, which is likely to increase with fearsover coronavirus. Good quality sleep is a form of overnight therapy, andincreases the chance of handling strong emotions. Try to wake up and go to bedat the same time every day. Achieving 8 hours of sleep, taking a hot bath,setting the bedroom temperature to 18 degrees and having no screen time 2 hoursbefore bedtime will also help.

Withmonths of the coronavirus pandemic ahead, it is important to keep exercising.Clinical studies show that regular exercise produces chemicals, such asdopamine and serotonin, which are as effective as antidepressant medication orpsychotherapy for treating milder depression. Most people will not have accessto a gym during the crisis, so it is important to create a daily exerciseroutine at home. Experts recommend between 30-40 minutes of exercise, 3-4 timesa week to work up a sweat. People with depression often struggle with exercise,so start small with a 10 minute walk, then add a few minutes daily.

Ifyou are suffering from clinical depression, it is important to contact your doctoror psychologist should your symptoms worsen.

Asthe coronavirus epidemic approaches though, many NHS services will be strainedto cope with the demand to save lives. A modern drug-free treatment fordepression, which does not require NHS services, is available in the UK sinceJune of 2019.

Createdby Flow Neuroscience, the brain stimulation headset is the only one in the EUto be medically approved as a home treatment for depression. The headset usestDCS, a type of brain stimulation which is now listed as a treatment fordepression on the NHS website. Clinical studies published in the New England Journalof Medicine and the British Journal of Psychiatry showed that the type of tDCSbrain stimulation used in the Flow headset had a similar impact toantidepressants 1,2,3 More information about the Flow headset can befound here.

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How to protect your mental health during the coronavirus pandemic Northern Life - Northern Life magazine