ON EDGE: 1 - Science Gallery's Mediators on how they are managing anxiety during lockdown

by Sapphire Paston

Science Gallery London’s previous exhibition ON EDGE: Living in an Age of Anxiety explored causes of and responses to anxiety in contemporary society, and in light of the global Covid-19 pandemic, this subject seems more relevant than ever.

With the virus causing mass disruption and concern worldwide, it is unsurprising that anxiety levels are spiking. UK surveys suggest that the uncertainty surrounding coronavirus, the resulting instability and the isolation measures designed to curb its spread are likely to exacerbate existing mental health issues, whilst increasing a general sense of anxiety in the population at large.

Curious about the innovative ways young people are finding to adapt and keep their spirits up as pandemic-related worries take hold, we reached out (virtually!) to Mediators who worked on the ON EDGE exhibition and asked them:

“What ways have you found to cope with anxiety during the coronavirus lockdown?”

We hope you find their responses as comforting and inspiring as we did!

Staying connected

Usually found talking up a storm in the gallery, our Mediators are a chatty bunch, and many reminded us of the importance of social bonding at a time of physical distancing. Whether connecting with friends, family and colleagues or helping complete strangers, reaching out to others has helped them share the emotional load and keep feelings of loneliness at bay.

“Maintaining communication channels with my family and friends really makes me feel like we're all in this together.” – Ali

“Sitting down to have dinner with my housemates at the same time every day has helped us all to have a little anchor of normality (plus knowing that I'll have to explain how I've been spending the day has enabled me to work out ways to express 'laundry' or 'sleeping' in an incredibly long-winded and poetic fashion!) We've been cooking together and doing quizzes from the paper while we eat, to keep our brains ticking over. I'm also doing quite a bit of volunteering with my local aged care home, and honestly that's been a highlight. Nothing quite like knowing you're being useful, even if it seems as trivial as picking up shopping.” – Alice

“I have a new sense of confidence through chatting with everyone and sharing our thoughts and ideas. The feeling of being in the same boat helps, I think.” – Eric

Embracing creativity

When anxieties arise, the mindfulness that comes with making can be a great way to refocus attention. Numerous Mediators are using their spare time in lockdown to unleash their creative talents, pursuing projects of an artistic and musical nature…we can’t wait to see and hear the results!

“I have been creating lots of music. I didn’t really have time to do so beforehand because I was working or busy, but I have been able to get stuck into writing and creating, which has been really good and a great distraction.” – Rebekah

“I've been doing a lot of sewing, which has been really fun! I started off making quilts with scraps of fabric I already had, and now I have just finished making a top. It has been a great way for me to stay busy and keep my mind off the news.” – Merle

“During the lockdown, I've had an unprecedented opportunity to reassess how I both value and structure the time in my day, leading to an increase in my artistic production with a little less pressure. I take photographs and often experiment with digital processes. I also like to make electronic music in a similar vein.” – Eric

“I’ve invested some time redecorating my bedroom. I have made it more cosy during quarantine with candles, comfy pillows, fairy lights and incense. This has created a warmer introspective mood for evening activities such as reading, journaling and chilling with music. With the inviting atmosphere I have created I am enjoying my space more.” – Sanjidah

Getting active

With UK lockdown measures at time of writing permitting exercise outdoors once per day, it’s no wonder that our Mediators are keen to take advantage of this and its mood-enhancing, endorphin-releasing benefits, while workout videos and online exercise classes offer options to get moving at home.

“I feel lucky to be living in the countryside at the moment and I’m enjoying one of the few permitted lockdown activities: going on walks. I’ve managed to enthuse myself about local public footpaths and I find that the simple task of planning different walking routes is a good way to take my mind off things. I took a walk to a neighbouring village the other day and appreciated the change of scene.” – Rosie

“I've started doing home workouts every day as exercise really helps me to switch off.” – Clare

“I have found that Forrest Gumping my anxiety away has really helped me to cope with the current lockdown. Running without a goal, untethered by a podcast or music can really free up my headspace and lets my body naturally shake away any worries or concerns.” – Ali

Shifting mindsets

Although a lot of things we may be worrying about right now are outside of our control, our Mediators suggest we can still take small steps to influence our mood and our attitude to the crisis, from limiting news consumption to rethinking routines and seeking specialist resources where necessary.

“At the beginning of the lockdown, I was obsessively checking the news, which I soon realised was making my anxiety much much worse. I've started to limit the amount of time I spend checking the news (sometimes that includes social media!) to bring myself more peace.” – Clare

“When I notice that my anxiety is increasing, the most helpful thing is to remind myself of the safety of my home environment and all of the necessary precautions that I am taking to keep myself healthy. During these difficult times, we are experiencing a lot of fear and grief, and mindfulness and self-compassion can be a great inner refuge during social distancing. Both Dr Kristin Neff and Tara Brach have great websites with a lot of reading materials on self-compassion and meditation practices that are available for free, which I have found very inspiring and immensely helpful.” – Emils

“The thing that’s helped me cope with lockdown anxiety the most is imagining that it’s the weird few days following Boxing Day. I try to embrace the simple peace of that time when things like routine and the days of the week disappear and it’s ok.” – Ellie

Our Mediators’ perspectives reveal a great variety of ways to manage our mental and emotional wellbeing when living through periods of heightened anxiety, and different things will work for different people. As we navigate these unchartered waters, we may rediscover old strategies that have supported us in the past, or develop new habits that help us stay afloat. The approaches we find are likely to be as unique as we are.

Since we all respond to stressful situations differently, it is important to show compassion to ourselves and others, and cast off the weight of overly high expectations during lockdown.

While some may harbour hopes to emerge triumphant, having written a novel, run the equivalent of a marathon or mastered the perfect sourdough loaf, it’s equally ok to come out of this simply having weathered the storm and survived.

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This is part one of an ongoing blog series, inspired by and reflecting back on the Science Gallery London exhibition ON EDGE: Living in an Age of Anxiety during the time of the Covid-19 Crisis.

Sapphire Paston is a Production Assistant at Science Gallery London, providing support with the exhibitions and events programme. She has a background as a marketing strategist, holds a BA in History of Art from the University of Cambridge (2013) and is currently completing an MFA in Curating at Goldsmiths. Her curatorial interests include the impact of emergent technologies in contemporary society and she was awarded Arts Council funding for her exhibition on this theme.