Time to step back - literally - to think of others struggling with anxiety in lockdown - Laura Collins, YEP Editor

It’s easy to see why more people are starting to feel anxious as we head into our fifth week in lockdown.

We’ve spent that time confined to our homes - some who live alone have found themselves completely isolated- parted from families, friends and colleagues.

As the days pass by we’re trying to navigate through new daily routines in a bid to break up the monotony of the day.

We’re also trying to find more creative ways to make sure we are staying in touch with our loved ones. But without a question of a doubt staying put has been a challenge for so many when we’re so used to having the freedom to go wherever we please

However, a new study from King’s College London has shown that even though the majority of the population is obeying coronavirus lockdown rules, many are feeling more anxious and depressed than usual.

Respondents have been categorised into three groups - the “accepting”, the “suffering” and the much smaller “resisting” section.

Of the suffering group - which was made up mostly of women - almost two thirds said they have slept less or worse than usual, and a little over a third said they think about coronavirus all the time.In the same group, 93 per cent reported feeling more anxious and depressed since the lockdown was introduced.

Young people were most likely to be in the resisting group, while people aged between 55 and 75 were most likely to be part of the accepting group, and both were majority male, those behind the survey said.

But it’s important to remember that we are all in this together and we must be mindful that some people will really be struggling.

After taking a trip to the supermarket this weekend I can see why some people would be feeling particularly anxious. I spent five minutes queuing outside at a social distance with everyone following the markings.

But once I got through the doors and ushered into the one way system the whole shopping experience descended into chaos.

Despite the blindingly obvious arrows marking the route many people seemed to lose their complete sense of direction and scattered across the aisles. Others had complete disregard for personal space and were more than happy to practically reach over me for a block of cheese. Really?

While I made a beeline for the checkout and breathed a sigh of relief once the shop was over, I can see why others would not even want to venture into the supermarket jungle.

It’s easy to see why there are special shopping slots in the supermarkets to support some of our most vulnerable.

But for someone who could be feeling anxious about this daunting time that can be exacerbated by others who don’t think the rules always apply to them.

Over the weeks we’ve seen some incredible acts of kindness and generosity. We’ve seen millions of pounds raised for the NHS and charitable acts to support our most vulnerable.

But the most simple act of kindness could be to take a step back - literally - and think of others.