This is a great post, just as I was about to say that I've seen so many articles recently about how to cope with self-isolation, but almost none of them are written by someone who has any experience of doing this long term.

Anyway, here are my top tips: (1/7) https://twitter.com/chronicinclude/status/1245711489819971584

• It is ok to grieve for the loss of normal life, for the loss of freedom, for the loss of social interactions and for the loss of human contact.
• Grief is cyclical – it will hit you in waves. Some days will be better than others.

• Have some structure to your day, but be flexible and compassionate with yourself too.
• Get up and go to bed at the same time each day. Eat meals at the same time.
• Spend some time doing something that brings you joy.

• Spend some time connecting with others, but also set aside time when you can be alone.
• Adapting to big changes in our lives is hard and takes time, don’t expect too much of yourself.

• Don’t try to be productive all the time, it is ok to sit and stare out of the window.
• Food is important and brings great joy.
• Treats can help you through the day but only if they are used sparingly and don’t become the norm.

• If you are doing less activity than you were think about reducing portion sizes.
• Slow down. Appreciate the small things that can be easily missed – the shape and movement of the clouds, the rain on the windows, trees moving in the breeze, the birds in your garden.

• Treat this new life as the new normal, even though you know it will pass. It is easier to cope by accepting the present than by focussing on a possible future.

From a person who has spent nearly 11 years mostly housebound due to chronic illness (severe ME) which means that my body is like a broken battery that will not charge regardless of how much I rest or sleep.