11 April 2020

Bake Off winner Nadiya Hussain says her anxiety is reaching 'new heights' in isolation

Great British Bake Off winner Nadiya Hussain has said lockdown is the 'worst I've felt in a long time'.

Hussain spoke about her issues with anxiety in May of last year but has now said isolation has brought her condition to 'new heights'.

Speaking to The Telegraph's Bryony Gordon on her podcast Mad World, she said: "When I think about myself when I'm really anxious and when I know that I'm really struggling, I do exactly what the Government's asked us to do now, which is self-isolate, stay at home, not have any physical contact, social distancing.

"I stay at home, stay in bed, don’t talk to people. It’s only me in a room, usually in the dark. So I can only imagine the people out there who have mental health issues who are struggling right now. 

"They’re being asked to do what they would do when they’re really struggling. It’s really, really tough. This is probably the worst I’ve felt in a really long time."

But she adds there is a positive she has taken from isolation - to take notice of her life and appreciate it more.

 "It has reminded me 'you are alive', which is a great place to be right now and I should be really happy about that.

"I’m so productive sometimes I don’t even stop and listen to myself breathe. It’s important to stop and allow yourself to remember that you are alive and this is the body that keeps you going.  

"It’s really allowed me to stop and think about where I am."

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