JONATHAN COOK: Three ways of coping with stress in a crisis

We all need stress. An optimal amount of stress pulls us into “flow” — when we are so wrapped up in a task that we become unaware of time or effort and are focused and creative.

Too little stress can lead to boredom and a spiral of inactivity with all its associated conditions such as frustration and depression. This may be the kind of stress some people have had to deal with during lockdown — too little stimulation...