At the best of times, our friends can work wonders for our mental health. Most of us will be familiar with the saying, “friends are the family you choose”; the people we surround ourselves with on a daily basis are incredibly important to our wellbeing.

Indeed, for many of us, speaking to our friends throughout the coronavirus pandemic has allowed us to maintain a semblance of normality. Sure, drinks over Zoom might not feel quite the same as meeting your friends at the pub, but being able to have a laugh with familiar faces has certainly been a welcome distraction for plenty of people.

But for others, keeping up with their friends has come at the expense of their mental health. The virtual pub quizzes and endless Zoom calls may have been fun at first, but after a while they become rather full-on. Add to that the fact that many people have been left feeling physically and emotionally exhausted as a result of the pandemic, and it’s no surprise lots of us have been yearning for a bit of space.

“If you’re feeling the need to take a step back from a friendship or from the near constant stream of social activities happening online, you shouldn’t feel guilty about turning down an invitation or two – because chances are your friends are likely feeling the digital fatigue too,” explains mental health advocate Jo Love.

How to tell your friends you need space during the coronavirus pandemic