Health & Fitness Life in lockdown: How to handle the worry of others not following Covid rules

Despite repeated messages from the Government to stay home, protect the vulnerable and avoid all unnecessary travel, it is clear that not everyone is adhering to the coronavirus guidelines.

© Andrew Matthews While you cannot control what others do, experts say you can learn to influence your emotional response to rule-breakers (Andrew Matthews/PA)

If you have spent months avoiding seeing family and friends, it can be frustrating to enter a supermarket and spot someone shopping without a mask, or to hear about an acquaintance bending the rules to visit other households.

And knowing that some people are not getting behind the national effort can quickly cause anxiety about the spread of the virus and what the future holds.

Best heart rate monitors 2020: Top chest straps, fitness trackers and smartwatches that can track your beats

Best heart rate monitors 2020: Top chest straps, fitness trackers and smartwatches that can track your beats

How long will the lockdowns last? England's lockdown laws end on 31 March, although the government has said it hopes to. Scotland's lockdown is due to be reviewed at the end of January, but First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has told MSPs it is "very unlikely" it will be lifted.

For the ruling classes, Covid -19 is fortuitously deflecting public attention away from the disastrous In the meantime, Big Banks, Big Pharma, Big Tech and other monopolies are getting lavish central bank bailouts Covid -19 is a gift that never stops giving to a select few. But how will the techno-oligarchy

© Provided by PA Media (Zac Goodwin/PA)

While you cannot control what others do, experts say you can learn to influence your emotional response to rule-breakers. Here is how to keep calm and carry on.

– Stick with your bubble

Dr Meg Arroll, chartered psychiatrist at Healthspan, says it is a good idea to try and distance yourself from loved ones who are interpreting the guidance differently from you – especially if you feel that it is putting your health at risk.

“Be clear with those in your immediate bubble on what the latest rules are and how you will adhere to them,” she says. “Stick to the boundaries that you’ve agreed on and minimise your contact with others who may not be so rigid.”

© Provided by PA Media (Yui Mok/PA)

– If worry sets in, breathe deeply

Revealed: Tier 3 Did Bring Down Number Of Covid Patients, But Tier 1 Did Nothing

The number of Covid-19 patients in hospital has fallen in areas that were under tier 3 lockdown, but risen in areas that were in tier 1, analysis by HuffPost UK has revealed. It may help explain how some areas that were only in tier 1 before the national lockdown have ended up in tier 3 from Wednesday. Our findings bear out warnings by Public Health England’s Dr Susan Hopkins and the government’s Sage (scientific advisory group for emergencies) advisers that tier 1 measures were insufficient to slow the pandemic.

It is "too early" to say whether England's Covid restrictions will be able to end in the spring, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said it was an "impossible question" to say how long the lockdown would need to last. He said the coronavirus vaccines were "really good

How do you report someone ignoring lockdown rules ? The British public is still in lockdown despite eased restrictions. With the news of Dominic Cummings, the PM's most The police have advised that if there is a threat to life , a risk of serious damage to property, a serious offence in progress or serious

If you start to feel a sense of panic after mixing with people who are not wearing masks in indoor public spaces, Dr Arroll says you should try breathing deeply through your belly to halt the innate stress response.

At the same time, you can reassure yourself that your face-covering is doing its job.

“Also, remember that there are some circumstances that prevent people from wearing masks,” Dr Arroll says. “They may have a medical reason for not wearing one, so bear that in mind before you jump to judgments.”

Gallery: How to prepare for your death (Espresso)

– Limit your time on social media

It is easy to feel outraged if you spot an influencer or celebrity on a foreign holiday on Instagram, so unfollow accounts that are making you feel uncomfortable.

Of course, it is tempting to want to confront those you think are flouting the rules, but Dr Arroll says that typing aggressive comments on people’s holiday posts is an unhealthy way to address your feelings.

Which tier am I in? How to use the postcode checker for your area – and Covid rules for every region explained

England's return to a three-tier Covid system begins on 2 December when the current nationwide lockdown ends, with the majority of areas placed in the two highest levels of restrictions . The Health Secretary unveiled the list of tiers during an address to MPs on Thursday 26 November, which was followed by a press conference led by Boris Johnson. Here’s how to check which tier you will be placed in when lockdown ends, the full list of areas under each level and what the rules actually mean.

Coronavirus ( COVID -19) National lockdown : stay at home. Brexit Check how the new rules affect This is the single most important action we can all take to protect the NHS and save lives .You must You should continue to follow other precautions, and follow the rules on meeting with people who

With the lockdown easing, how to stay safe in every situation. Here, The Independent examines the new rules and asks experts just how safe these places are – and what you can do to mitigate risk. Most restaurants should be doing this as part of their Covid -secure measurements anyway.

© Provided by PA Media (Nick Ansell/PA)

“Anger is very often a response to fear, so it would be useful to release this feeling in a more productive way. You could talk to a close friend about how you feel, or write it down in a journaling exercise,” she says.

– Exercise away the stress

If someone you care about acts in a way that goes against your personal boundaries, it is normal to feel upset about it.

“It’s a very stressful time so if you’re prone to anxiety, make sure you take the time to manage that stress proactively,” says Dr Paul McLaren, of Priory’s Wellbeing Centres.

“Aerobic exercise and active relaxation will help, either indoor or outdoor,” he says, adding that you could also try meditating.

– Tell others how you feel

Priory psychotherapist Pamela Roberts says: “If you know someone that’s repeatedly breaking the rules, talk to them about how you feel and the importance of the rules to you.

“This is to ensure that others are aware of the rights and wrongs of current regulations, which will help to give you peace of mind about the situation.”

© Provided by PA Media (Jacob King/PA)

– Bear in mind that everyone is different

The heightened anxiety around the coronavirus pandemic has left us hyper-critical of others, but it is good to keep your head by reminding yourself that not everyone is in your shoes.

“It might sound obvious, but it’s important to remember everyone is different,” stresses therapist Jessica Boston. “They handle life challenges differently, and interpret information differently, so remember that it isn’t a personal attack on you.”

That said, everyone is being asked to do their bit by sticking to the rules and if you are seriously concerned about a breach of the latest Government guidance in the UK, you can find out how to report an incident by visiting police.uk.