Lorraine Kelly reveals she had ‘anxiety’ and felt ‘overwhelmed’ at the start of lockdown

Lorraine Kelly has revealed that she ‘had real anxiety’ and felt ‘quite overwhelmed’ at the start of lockdown.

The TV presenter, 60, spoke candidly about her mental health and said that taking the time to walk her dog Angus helped her feel better.

In an interview with Good Housekeeping, Lorraine also revealed how she thinks the pandemic has changed people’s lives and made them reassess their priorities.

Lorraine told the publication: ‘When we first went into lockdown, I had real anxiety and felt quite overwhelmed by it all. 

‘Back then, the news channels were on constantly, I was always looking at social media, and it was too much. So I now take a little bit of time out.’

Lorraine added: ‘The main thing that makes it better for me is taking Angus for a walk. He’s such a stress-buster.

‘He comes into the room every morning before I get up, around 5am, and he sits on my bed and it just makes me feel better.’  

Although parts of lockdown have been tough for many people, the TV icon added that she thinks it has been a good opportunity to think about the future.

She said: ‘I think people are reassessing their lives, and that’s no bad thing – we don’t usually get the time to do that because we’re all so busy working and getting on with everything.

‘It’s given us the opportunity to think about the future and prioritise what’s important. I’ve certainly seen a few of my friends in relationships who are thinking, “Do you know what? I’m not happy.”

‘It’s really interesting how that’s come about. You can’t be selfish about these things, but you only have one life and you have to try to be as happy and fulfilled as you can.’

Lorraine has been presenting her TV show throughout lockdown, becoming a steady face for many people. 

She said: ‘It’s given me some purpose… It’s been lovely to receive feedback from viewers saying that it’s actually quite reassuring to see me every day, too.’

However it has been tough for Lorraine, with her pal Kate Garraway’s husband being admitted to intensive care and her not being able to visit her own parents. 

Lorraine told Good Housekeeping that Kate ‘has been so strong’. She added: ‘She pops into my head an awful lot. Her situation is so hard on her and her kids. ‘ 

Despite not seeing her family in Scotland for months, Lorraine said that the thought of catching something and giving it to her parents is ‘unthinkable’.

She added: ‘I think anybody who has been affected directly by coronavirus, whether they have lost someone or had it themselves, is really aware of the dangers. Behind all the statistics are real people who have suffered.’   

Read the full Lorraine Kelly interview in the September issue of Good Housekeeping, on sale 29 July. It is available in all supermarkets and online at MagsDirect.