The past year has been for many, immeasurably stressful.

The economic consequences and financial stress, the isolation and loneliness, the need to juggle multiple roles, look after children, and of course the fear and worry about the virus, has all taken a heavy toll on our mental health and wellbeing.

We are in a very abnormal situation, so feelings of stress and anxiety are a normal response. However it is vital that we look after our mental health at this difficult time to prevent these natural feelings of fear and sadness from slipping into longer-lasting anxiety and depression.

When we are going through difficult times, it can be helpful to find the ‘silver lining’, and the evidence shows that people who are more likely to seek out and focus on the positive 'take aways' from difficult situations are likely to have better mental health in the long run.

It is important that we take steps to look after our mental health, which means looking after our body and mind so that we can manage our body’s stress response and calmly regulate, so that we are in a position to analyse our problems and work out ways to cope.

I usually advise against unrealistic ‘positive thinking’ and ‘positivity’, which encourages people to steer their focus away from problems that really need to work through.

Accepting negative feelings and problem solving are important, however if we also get into a habit of reminding ourselves of the positive aspects of our situation, it can have a real impact on how we view the world, improve our mood and outlook and put us in a better position to tackle those difficult problems that all of us are facing right now.

The ‘Take 5 Steps to Wellbeing’ are great ways of looking after our mental health and wellbeing; the research tells us that they really work. The first step is to stay connected with your loved ones as best you can with the restrictions.

Reach out to people who might be lonely because people often withdraw from others when they are struggling. If you know someone who might be distressed, it can be hard to know what to say, but it’s important to stay in touch, have those difficult conversations and encourage them to seek help.

The second step is to be active every day, in whatever form that works best for you. Going for a walk or a wheel can really help improve your mood and get rid of those feelings of stress and anxiety.

The other steps are; keep learning, take notice and give. Try to use this time while we are waiting for restrictions to ease, to grow in some small way, to learn something new, or perhaps tackle a DIY project, or work on your fitness.

We should also try to take notice, live in the present, and find ways of reminding ourselves of the things that give us hope and joy. Giving back to others helps us feel good about ourselves; our key workers and health care workers are giving so much to us and we are very grateful.

Many of you are also giving back by volunteering or by staying home to help keep others safe. We will get through these difficult times, and the rollout of the vaccination programme gives us much to be hopeful for.

Now is a time to look after ourselves and those who are dear to us, and plan for how we might celebrate when we can be together again in person. Visit covidwellbeingNI.info for more information about these steps and for more resources and tips to help improve your mood during this difficult time.