I’m sure everyone is sick to the back teeth of hearing about the current coronavirus pandemic that we are facing, so this promises to be a brief and positive message that we would like to share from Lamb Brooks Solicitors.

We want to clarify our working processes and also share with you some tips to help with your mental health over the coming weeks.

Carrying on at Lamb Brooks

Firstly, we are still open and running as usual. Should we be forced to close our offices we have 65 capable legal professionals ready and prepared to work remotely to continue to offer legal advice and services to businesses, families and individuals.

Our objective is to ensure all our clients and the local community have access to legal services.

We invested in telephone support over a year ago meaning that our calls will be answered and transferred even if we have no physical reception open.

Testing times have proven that technology and determination are vital at this point and we have already carried out several appointments over the phone or by using Skype and conference call facilities. Wherever possible we are servicing our client’s needs remotely so that our valued clients are not missing out on legal support or enduring any delays.

We completely understand that people are concerned over their health and can reassure visitors that are still coming into our offices that we are taking all precautions when it comes to cleanliness and hygiene. We are using our larger meeting rooms to create some distance and discouraging handshakes. But you will still get the friendly service you would expect from us.

Tips for Keeping Calm

It is an overwhelming time for everyone, and we would like to share some tips that you might find helpful when you find yourself needing to mute your anxiety.

• Talk about something else. Quite rightly the coronavirus is THE topic of conversation right now, but it can dominate and end up being the only thing you talk about with your partner, your colleagues, friends and family members. Make a conscious decision to talk about different topics. Write some topics onto pieces of paper and take turns pulling them out with your family, buy some conversation starter cards from the internet, use an online generator, ask each other quiz questions or take play a board game together.

• Do something that relaxes you. Self care is important at all times, but it becomes essential when you are suffering from anxiety. Take time to focus on doing something that personally helps you relax, whether that is reading, drawing, taking a long bath or going for a walk. It will help clear your head and take your mind off things.

• Remove negative influences from your life. If there is a certain person that aggravates your anxiety by talking about the pandemic all the time or sharing worrying information, then kindly speak to them or distance yourself. Some people are finding that social media is a trigger, you can mute certain words to stop them from coming up in your news feed or you could give yourself a break from social media, turn off your notifications or put a screen time limit on your smartphone. Try to get your daily updates from trusted sources such as news channels rather than posts that often circulate on social media.

• Talk to someone. If you are finding this time too stressful then speak to someone you can trust. Many people agree that ‘a problem shared is a problem halved’ and they are quite likely to feel the same way you do. Reach out to helplines, the Samaritans or your GP if you are very concerned for your mental health.

Continue reading for more tips…

• Help others. This really is a time that also brings people together. If there is something small you can do in your local community then now is the time to offer your help (as long as it is safe to do so). This can be a welcome distraction and spread some positivity in your local area.

• Don’t Panic. Easier said than done of course. But try not to panic about things that are out of your control. The supermarkets, your job, the economy – there isn’t anything we can do individually right now to resolve these issues so try to take each day as it comes.

• Be prepared. There’s a fine line between preparing and panicking – think panic buyers! But it is sensible to make provisions so that your mind is at rest. Ensure that you have enough food in the house to last the next few days. Don’t think beyond that. There is no need to stock up for a month as we have been told that shops will remain open. Have a plan for your childcare, your essential travel, how you will work from home etc. Being prepared can help with anxiety but it is important to also realise that in uncertain times things don’t always go to plan. And that is OK too.

• Get a good sleep. It is much easier to tackle the day ahead when you are well rested and can think rationally and clearly. For a good night’s sleep there are lots of tips that you can follow such as monitoring your deep sleep cycles, getting to bed earlier, only using your bed to sleep in, using oils and pillow sprays, eating well and exercising, keeping your room cool and sticking to a bed time routine.

• Mindfulness. If you do not already practice mindfulness, then now is a good time to investigate this ancient practice of keeping things in perspective. It can be a good way to prioritize your problems, accept what is in your control and relax.

• Focus on the positive. If you look for it, then you will find a positive in every single day. Even the bad ones. From something as small as the sun being out or receiving a message from a friend. There is always something to be grateful for. Every time you are reminded of the coronavirus death toll or see a news headline that stirs up fear, look up the survival rate and look at the stories of the good deeds people are doing to help the vulnerable.

• Accepting change. It is clear that this situation is serious and that many things will not be able to go ahead at this moment time. Cancelled holiday plans, weddings or key events is upsetting but beyond our control. There is nothing that people can do to change the outcome and at times like this we need to learn to accept and also adapt. The supermarkets may not have your usual groceries, but there will be alternatives. Your holiday may be cancelled but you will get a chance to re-book or travel again at a later date. Focus on some of the things that have not changed during this pandemic to ground yourself.

• Be kind to yourself. It is OK to feel scared, worried, upset or just generally overwhelmed with the situation we are facing at the moment. Accepting that is OK to feel the way you do is the first hurdle. Then you can look at how you deal or cope with those feelings in the best way.

• Breathe. There is something so simple yet effective about filling your lungs with air and taking a long outward breath. When you find yourself panicking or overcome with stress, pause and take a few big breaths. It really does help your brain to function and your breathing to regulate it’s rhythm.

Working with Us

If you are in need of legal advice during this time then please be assured that we are here to help. We have a live chat facility on our website and calls will be answered. We will all be working to maintain the same level of service and speed as much as possible during this uncertain time.

If you are struggling to make contact with your usual solicitor then please use our switchboard number (01256 844888), email enquiries@lambbrooks.com or speak to our live chat assistant.

Take Care

We hope that each and every one of our clients and contacts stays safe and well during these times of uncertainty.

If you need guidance on the coronavirus in terms of symptoms, government guidelines or financial support for your business then please visit the following links for useful information.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

https://www.who.int/

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-employees-employers-and-businesses

https://www.hse.gov.uk/news/coronavirus.htm

The contents of this article are for the purposes of general awareness only. They do not purport to constitute legal or professional advice.  The law may have changed since this article was published.   Readers should not act on the basis of the information included and should take appropriate professional advice upon their own particular circumstances.