The need to look after our wellbeing is more important now than ever before and from a mindful perspective, whilst we cannot change the current situation we are able to control the way in which we approach and adapt to it. Acceptance is really key – accepting that this extraordinary time will pass but that life as we know it, for now, needs to be put on hold will help to remove some of the stress and anxiety that any resistance may create.

Focusing on the positives is essential in our ability to cope as is seeing this break from routine as an opportunity to reflect, recharge and reset. As a mindfulness coach I would recommend using your breath as your own anchor, to help ground you and find clarity and calm, to help reduce the inevitable anxiety and to boost your immune system.

By using a lovely deep diaphragmatic breath, this will help to reduce physical feelings of stress which in turn aids your immune system and helps to stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system. Ideally, you need your exhalation to be longer than your inbreath to stimulate the vagus nerve which in turn reduces heart rate and blood pressure.

Try smelling the coffee on your inbreath and blowing out the candles on your exhalation!

There are lots of apps which encourage breathwork for reducing anxiety and one that an Abbey student introduced me to recently called ‘Relax Lite’ is one of the simplest and most effective amongst many. I would encourage everybody to give it a go.

And please remember, students also have access to National Agencies that can provide support such as NSPCC.

Our breath is one of the most natural healing tools on the planet and taking a few moments in the day to focus on the breath I hope will become part of a lot of people’s new routine and daily rhythm.

There will be wellbeing tips posted to The Abbey social media accounts over the coming weeks as we look forward to welcoming in some moments of calm and focus on looking after the physical and mental wellbeing of ourselves and those around us.