COVID-19: Emotional support

Guidance on how to maintain wellbeing and find emotional support at this difficult time.

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Looking after your mental wellbeing

We appreciate that this is a difficult and worrying time. Many people feel anxious about the coronavirus pandemic. Taking social distancing, self-isolation and shielding measures can result in a change of routine, lowered physical activity and reduced social interaction. Support with daily living, ongoing care arrangements and medication might change, and this disruption can have a significant impact on your mental wellbeing and stress levels.

Some people feel angry, frustrated or lonely by the measures. You might experience low mood, worry, or have problems sleeping.

There are simple things you can do that might help you stay mentally and physically active during this time. For example:

Find physical activity exercises you can do at home on the NHS website.
Try to build structure into your life, even if it differs from your usual routine.
Spend time doing things you enjoy – this might include reading, cooking, other indoor hobbies or listening to favourite radio programmes or watching TV.
Eat healthy, well-balanced meals, drink enough water, exercise regularly, and get enough sleep.
Avoid smoking, alcohol and drugs.
Spend time with the windows open to let in the fresh air and get some natural sunlight.
Communicate with family and friends by phone, online or by post. Tell them that you want to be in contact during this time.
Focus on the things you can control, who you speak to and who you get information from.
Try meditation techniques, such as mindfulness, or breathing exercises to help manage stress. Some of the techniques on our page on managing stress involve face-to-face interaction, so are not appropriate at this time.

Media coverage about the outbreak can heighten worry. If it's affecting you, try limiting the time you spend watching, reading, or listening to it. It might help to only check the news at set times or a couple of times a day, keeping up-to-date with the latest government guidance.

Further support

If you are struggling with your mental health, you might find the following organisations helpful:

Every Mind Matters provides simple tips and advice to take care of your mental health, including while staying at home.
Mind also has lots of tips to help you look after your wellbeing while you are staying at home.
Samaritans have information if you're worried about your mental health during the coronavirus outbreak, including practical ways to help yourself cope.

If you continue to feel low after a couple of weeks and it is affecting your daily life, contact NHS 111 online. If you have no internet access, you should call NHS 111. If you are in crisis, call the Samaritans on 116 123.

If you are facing bereavement, whether through the coronavirus or any other cause, this is likely to be an extremely difficult time – you might feel cut off from your usual support network, and changes to funerals can bring further challenges. Cruse Bereavement Care have information for people who are dealing with bereavement and grief during the coronavirus pandemic.

If you, or someone close to you, is nearing the end of life with lymphoma, you might be concerned about how the coronavirus pandemic will affect your care. Macmillan Cancer Support has information on the end of life and coronavirus.

Talk to us

We appreciate what a difficult and worrying time this is for many people affected by lymphoma, including family members and friends of those with a lymphoma diagnosis. If you’d like to talk, you can contact our Helpline Services on freephone 0808 808 5555 from 10am to 3pm, Monday to Friday, or via Live Chat through our website. You can also email us at information@lymphoma-action.org.uk.

Although we can’t give medical advice about your own situation, we can offer a listening ear and general information about lymphoma.