MENTAL health charity Lancashire Mind is urging people to practise its ‘Five Ways to Wellbeing’ during the coronavirus crisis.

Tommy McIlravey, its chief executive, said the measures were even more important than usual during the current Covid-19 regime of social distancing.

The five ways are: Connect, Be Active, Take Notice, Keep Learning and Give.

Mr McIlravey said: “These are unprecedented times we find ourselves in and it’s incumbent on us all that we help ourselves as well as each other, to get through this current situation. The Five Ways to Wellbeing are simple steps we can all do now to make sure we stay well.

“We’re launching the 30:30 Challenge and we’re asking people across Lancashire to take part in physical activity for at least 30 minutes every day for 30 days.

"This will help everyone to ‘Be Active’ but we also want you to think about how your activity can help you achieve one or more of the other ways to wellbeing.

“We are continuing to work hard to offer our services to those that are most vulnerable at this time, but we also want to create an online community of people working towards a shared goal of prioritising wellbeing.”

To ‘connect’ during the current crisis people should use social media to develop positive relationships by taking time to engage with others, listen, ask how they feel and express an interest in their lives.

Mr McIlravey urged people against spending time scrolling through endless scare stories but to use it to connect with family and friends, embrace the moment and have a chat and to speak to someone new and find a shared interest.

To ‘be active’ he suggests people log into the many free fitness classes available online, do some housework and if possible get outside into the garden.

To ‘take notice’, people are urged to be mindful and appreciate the world around them, notice the small acts of kindness that people are doing, appreciate nature and wildlife and think how other people might be feeling.

To ‘keep learning’ Mr McIlravey suggests people use the spare time to learn a new skill or develop a new hobby, read a book, research a subject or sign up for a YouTube tutorial.

‘To give’ he urges people to compliment or praise someone, offer someone help or assistance, or get involved online with a community project.