“When we experience trauma, we unconsciously seek safety,” Gordon-Lennox explains, linking our current circumstance to our childlike behaviour. “For some this might be acting how we were when we were little and we had the safety of mum and dad. For others this might be acting out on behaviour that made us feel safe when we were little. Here we have functional (calling mum and dad for advice) and dysfunctional (food, addictions, being busy etc.).

“For others, this might mean that we are triggered into our childhood wounds. This can be especially relevant if we are now living with the people who, however unintentionally, wounded us in the first place.”

Gordon-Lennox has some advice:

1. Awareness. If we are aware of our behaviours and that we are regressing and/or being triggered, then we have a better chance of reconnecting with our adult self.

2. Consciously re-find our adult self. This is really important. Our adult self has not disappeared, it is just hidden by our triggered younger selves coming out to play.

3. Remember we are safe. Remind ourselves that we are safe, in this moment, even if the bigger picture seems scary and unpredictable. Meditation can be great for getting present, and reminding us that, in this present moment, we are OK. If we build up a series of present moments, one after the other, then we learn that we are actually OK.

4. Breathe! Breathing into the belly is one of the most underestimated soothing techniques that there is. It can calm the nervous system through the ventral vagal nerve, sending a message to our body and brain that we are OK. Singing, humming, laughing, and seeing friends is also good for the ventral vagal nerve activation.

5. Get mobile. We need to move this trauma through and out of our bodies – so let’s dance! Or run! Or go for a walk.

Lockdown: acting and thinking like your childhood self? An expert explains why