MENTAL HEALTH Mental Lock Emily Coates describes her search for solace from pandemic pressures. T


he daily hour release for exercise during the pandemic became an important part of many peoples’ rituals during lockdown. An inhibited life, a world on hold when a virus took its toll simplified our lifestyles in many ways. We were trapped,


incarcerated, inhibited, and yet there was time allowed for escape. We were freed from the ritual, rigmarole and restrictions of routine. If furloughed we had to carve out new ways of spending our time. Travel restrictions meant we could focus on the local area. Our existence was challenged and changed.


Many people including myself felt the necessity to put one foot


in front of the other and pace. Pace out or walk out, run out, or bike out the anxiety of the spreading disease. Some of us took the attitude that it was important to improve our health to the point at which if we contracted the virus we would perhaps be able to fend it off. Sometimes we did this alone, and sometimes with others. These times were to be treasured. These times were sacred; never to be repeated, and all at once the outdoors became a safe space. A space where Covid was less likely to be contracted. Fresh air and ventilation of rooms was deemed important. We needed to let nature into our lives and engage with it.


BMC MENTAL HEALTH WEBINARS


The popular BMC Mental Health Webinars will be run again after the success of the free sessions in 2020 and 2021. Find out more on the BMC website: www.thebmc.co.uk/mental-health-webinars


50 | CLIMB. WALK. JOIN.


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