Coronavirus: experts share their experience on how to deal with isolation in lockdown

  • WATCH: Richard Jones spoke to two people who are experts in isolation about how best to adapt to the lockdown

One of the many challenges facing people across our region is the isolation of lockdown.

Polling by YouGov from March found that one in five people in the UK is in lockdown alone.

This rises to a third of people over the age of 65, who are often having to undertaken the most extreme forms of social distancing and self isolation.

Ryan Ramsey served as captain of the submarine HMS Turbulent almost a decade ago.

The 130 crew aboard the 84 metre long boat had to adapt to being submerged for up to 3 months at a time.

He says he has huge sympathy for those struggling with the extremes of lockdown, but says that routine is key to getting by.

As captain Ramsey had his own cabin, but had to adapt to living in a confined space.

He also recommends communicating with other people if you're alone as much as possible, while also learning to manage conflict with others if you don't live on your own.Above all, he argues that the most important tip is the most simple.

"Keep yourself clean and your place clean," he says.

"It's always good to go back to a made-up bed at the end of the day so if nothing else goes right at least you've got that to look forward to."

Pip Hare's experience of isolation comes from her time at see as a solo yacht racer.

But her time on her own doesn't necessarily mean that she finds life in lockdown easy.

"When I'm alone in the middle of the ocean, I'm completely in control of my environment," she says.

"I can make the choices about where to go, how hard to push, but it's all me, I chose to be there."

This lack of free will is the biggest challenge for her.

She says: "In the current situation we find ourselves under, we have to self isolate for the good of the nation to protect the NHS.

"That isn't a choice I made so I have to adapt to the restrictions."

Pip Hare hopes to compete in her next round the world yacht race, Vendée Globe, which is due to begin in March.

"The bad times always end, they always do and I hang onto that.

"I keep that in my head and I just have this voice inside me saying 'I know it's bad now but it is going to get better'."

Coronavirus: Everything you need to know