Follow us: hu Improving life after brain injury Need to talk? 0808 800 2244 Donate Home About brain injury Individuals Brain injury and me Sammy's top tips for m... Share your story Share your story with us to help others affected by brain injury Mental health during self-isolation "Remember you're not alone." Brain injury survivor Sammy Johns knows how hard self-isolation is for people experiencing problems with their mental health. We spoke to Sammy about the impact self-isolation is having on her own mental health, and what advice she’d give to others: “Being forced to self-isolate is very different from choosing to stay at home because you’re having mental health issues. Having any kind of control/choice taken away can be extremely upsetting and frustrating, even when you know it’s absolutely the right thing to do,” said Sammy. “I live alone so while I'm used to a certain amount of time alone, as the days go by it gets more difficult to cope with the constant negative thoughts running around my head. Trying not to be mad at myself because I can't do much at home is not an easy task.” As a way of coping Sammy has written up a list of ways that help. She hopes that by sharing her list, she will help others who may be struggling: 1. Remember you're not alone Reach out to your family and friends, not just by telephone but by video chat. Just seeing another friendly face can have a massive impact on how you feel about yourself. Just knowing someone is there for you can really help squish those negative thoughts. If, like me, you sometimes feel you can't talk to your family or friends then there are several helplines out there - such as the Headway Helpline - with people who will understand what you’re feeling and are ready to listen and support you. 2. Don't beat yourself up if your other health issues are worse right now With all this change, your fatigue and other symptoms can go into overdrive. This is just temporary - your body and mind will hopefully adjust in time but please don't punish yourself for it. 3. Pamper yourself Take a long bath or shower. Try those fancy face masks/body lotions you got for presents that you've never had time to use, take some time just for you. 4. Arrange an online video chat with a group of your family or friends You could even turn it into a watch party. Pick your favourite movie or TV show episode and all watch it together with a big bowl of popcorn if you have any… or ice cream for that matter. Whatever is your favourite go to movie food. 5. Throw yourself a dance party Go to YouTube and create a playlist of all your favourite party songs - they can be golden oldies or the latest top hits - as long as it gets you off the sofa, singing and dancing away just go for it. You'll find yourself laughing in no time. 6. Remember about nutrition We often forget about nutrition in times like these, sometimes we even lose our appetites completely, like myself. Try looking in your kitchen for supplies and plan out a nice healthy meal for yourself - something that might take a bit of effort for just one person, a roast dinner, tacos or a curry for example. You can find taking the effort to do this can make you enjoy the idea of eating it more and don't forget if you don't eat much you can freeze the leftovers for another time. 7. Be kind to others This doesn't have to be a big thing. Send a tweet or text to someone you miss, or even to everyone on your list. Tell them they aren't alone either, that you love/care for them and are thinking of them. People will so appreciate this right now because, as alone and isolated you feel, they will be feeling some of that too. Some small words of love and affection can go such a long way and giving back to others can really make a difference to yourself too. Stay safe out there and know you are cared for! Sammy is sharing her words of advice and comfort throughout the coronavirus pandemic on her Instagram account @sammyjohns75 Back to stories index Coping with isolation during lockdown With the new Covid-19 lockdown due to last for a number of weeks and the return of the shielding programme for some, brain injury survivors, their families and friends across the UK will once again be... Find out more Anne's top tips for self-isolation Find out more Helpline The Headway helpline is a free, confidential service available to anyone with a question about brain injury - from survivors and carers to students and professionals. Find out more Friends of Headway Individual membership Join/Renew Contact Us t: 0115 924 0800 e: enquiries@headway.org.uk Help us improve life after brain injury. Donate Improving life after brain injury 0808 800 2244 Call our free helpline 9am - 5pm, Monday to Friday. Or email helpline@headway.org.uk Join our online Community 27k Likes 25k Followers 3k Subscribers Privacy policy Cookies Terms & Conditions Accessibility Contact Us Resource centre Find a Headway Approved care providers Charity shops Fundraising comments, feedback and complaints Vacancies Join our mailing list Headway - the brain injury association is registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (Charity no. 1025852) and the Office of the Scottish Regulator (Charity no. SC 039992). Headway is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England no. 2346893. © Copyright Headway 2021 - Site designed and developed by MEDIAmaker By clicking 'Accept All Cookies’ you agree to the storing of cookies on your device. This will help us to offer the best possible experience and develop more of the information you need. Accept All Cookies Cookies Settings