With successes as great as the distances he has sailed, Alex knows the power of injecting positivity into any situation. Always look for the benefits, he says. “Most of us today are in isolation, or social distancing with our families or friends. To help make this period more manageable, try to view it as a privilege, a chance to spend uninterrupted time with those closest to you. It’s something to enjoy, not be fearful of.”

“It’s important to introduce structure and routine. Try not to ‘bite off’ too much though. We all need to understand that these are exceptional circumstances. Give yourself realistic goals for the day, and work towards those. It could be as small as making breakfast, or playing a game with your children. Every time you achieve one of those goals, you’ll feel better. ” 

“When feeling stressed, one of the methods I use, which my sports psychologist taught me, is called the helicopter view. I visualise being above the boat, looking down at myself. This allows me to take a step back, regroup and find calm. When at home, imagine looking down at yourself from the ceiling. Then imagine looking down from the top of the house, and then above the house, and then from cloud level. From up there, you can see all of the people, in the houses below, who are facing the same problems as you. It’s then that you realise you’re not alone.”