How the Mind and Feelings Work

Explore how difficult situations like the coronavirus pandemic can affect your mood and learn how to develop helpful coping strategies. This course is suitable for everyone.

Introduction

Whilst working through this session we encourage you to involve tutors, parents, carers or partners for support. This will help you to discuss the different strategies, come up with ideas about how to implement them, and give you a chance to explore together the best way of being supported. Everyone is different and facing different pressures in their lives, so you should take the time to explore the session fully to learn about different strategies that may help you. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted our everyday life. To slow the transmission of the virus, ‘lockdown’ measures introduced by governments have rapidly changed our way of living and many of us are facing enormous challenges.

As a result, you may be particularly anxious about your studies, job and future, as well as the health and well-being of family and friends. Some will have experienced the loss of a loved one, and many families are experiencing financial difficulties and uncertain futures.

Whilst these drastic measures have focused on preserving the physical health of the population, it’s important to be mindful of the impact these restrictions may also be having on our mental health and well being. Many people, young or old will find it difficult to cope with life as it currently stands and will experience low mood and depression during this pandemic.

You should always seek expert advice if you have any concerns.

You will learn 

1. Understand the links between low mood, depression and COVID-19
2. The stress bucket as a metaphor for understanding experiences
3. Understand the factors that fill up your bucket
4. Learn helpful coping strategies that empty your bucket
5. Learn about unhelpful coping strategies that recycle your problems back into your bucket