Colloquially termed the "pandemic brain" is the feeling that we can no longer focus, we are a little more forgetful, we are somehow not coping as well as we used to. Before I go further with this, if these behaviours are what you are experiencing, consider approaching your GP as while for some of us this may be related to the pressures we have been dealing with over the last 18 months, they can also be indicative of other issues such as the menopause, or even Alzheimer's, and therefore I suggest seeking medical support not to scare you further, but to rule other things out which may need a different form of treatment.

The pandemic has affected all of us

Uncertainty is mentally and emotionally uncomfortable, and the last 18 months have certainly been uncertain.

Many have been through a great deal of sadness, loss and fear and other upheaval - including financial ruin. When loved ones were lost - sometimes the "relief" was "it wasn't Covid", which is hardly a true comfort, and when it came to being able to grieve and say farewell, restrictions meant that even that moment was shattered.

Neither have we had much to balance the sadness either. With weddings, christenings, parties either curtailed or cancelled/postponed there have been few opportunities to reach out and feel the warmth or a hug from our friends and families - especially if we have had to shield. And it's just not the same to try and share in the joy of a new baby or exciting life change over an online platform - even if we're comfortable using them! Rather than feeling OK to Great, we've largely been Not OK to Coping...and we're still unsure of when it will end.

The neuroplasticity of the brain

When it comes to the descent into "pandemic brain", we can seek solace in the brain's neuroplasticity. What this means is the chemical balance in our brain can be altered by sustained behaviours - these can be positive or negative.

Even if we have been feeling down, and a focus on this has caused the brain to function in a certain way, changing our behaviour - through having more hugs, or exercise, getting out in the sun, practising gratitude, meditation and so on...i.e. other pursuits known to stimulate happy hormones or happy neurotransmitters - can result in more positive pathways being built, or the negative ones being dampened.

So, what are some simple things we can do to help our "pandemic brain" bounce back?

Don't pretend "everything's OK"

If you are feeling depressed, or anxious, try to avoid using smiling or dismissive e.g.: "I'm fine" behaviour to cope - it is important to acknowledge your feelings and accept that you are not "strange" or "a burden" or "just being silly".

Stress, depression and anxiety are very real, and further to which, even if you are not at the point of diagnosis, view the negative emotions you are experiencing as a warning like a petrol light - that something needs to be done.

At the very least, if you find it difficult to speak to anyone, a good start is to try and find an outlet to express your feelings - some people do it through journaling, others through poetry, dance, song, music, art and so on...anything that allows you a little release of emotion can help free your mind enough to think a little more clearly about seeking help, and avoid indulging in coping methods which may cause more harm in the long term.

Learn from resilience research

Resilience research suggests that when crisis or adversity comes our way we follow one of four pathways:

• We succumb
• We survive but we might be impaired
• We bounce back resilience
• We thrive