Sarah Mulindwa: "If you are struggling during isolation, you are not alone"

As host of Channel 4's The Sex Clinic, Sarah Mulindwa has played crucial role in educating young people on sexual health. 

While she isn't giving up the day job, the qualified nurse has voluntarily returned to the NHS frontline to help beat the COVID epidemic. 

A genuine, bonafide heroine – and she even found time to do an interview as well. 

As you would expect, it's full of great advice on getting through a strange and scary period in all of your lives. 

"If you are reading this and struggling during isolation take comfort in knowing that you are not alone in how you feel."

Never be afraid to reach out – and remember, with people like Mulindwa leading the fight, better days undoubtedly lie ahead. 

Life

What upcoming project(s) are you most excited about?

I’m in the early stages of planning a new podcast which I’m super excited about!

Social media is not the best place to give health advice as its difficult to answer people’s questions and queries in text, and so something that connects me to my audience where I can be more interactive with them is something I’ve been thinking about for a while!

I want to cover a host of subjects ranging from sex, relationships and health to everyday topical life conversations. I’m not limiting the subject matter with it! I’m so excited!

What is your proudest professional accomplishment?

It’s really hard to answer that one as I’ve had my fingers in a lot of pies career wise, although I would say getting involved in a show like The Sex Clinic has to be one. It’s educational, yet fun, has a great social purpose and really resonates with its young audience!

Also, as a stylist, having my fashion work published in Vogue magazine a few years ago is definitely up there too!

If you could change one thing about your career, what would it be?

That I was more confident with my approach.

I think from the outside looking in I can come across as somebody who has their s*it together. I’ve always struggled with self-doubt and often have to talk myself into doing things because I worry they won’t work or I won’t be good enough.

I’m slowly trying to work on that, but I think if I was as confident as I sometimes come across, I would be a lot further in my career.

It is something I’m conscious of and constantly working on... I’m getting better though.

Tell us something nobody knows about you.

I’m really good at football lol. Mind you, I don’t follow it but my dad used to take me and my brother to the local AstroTurf every weekend to play and I was mostly the goalie. At the time I could also do up to 200 kick-ups (although I’m a bit rusty now).

Lockdown

How are you finding lockdown?

Lockdown for me has not been too bad so far. I’m committed to a couple of days a week where I work in a busy sexual health clinic so being a key worker, I’m still attending those days and having a little bit of my routine the same. Although, we’re running a very limited service during this pandemic. The days of the week where I would be doing my various other jobs I am indeed on lockdown.

Being a qualified nurse and given the current pressures on the NHS, I’m voluntarily returning back to full time nursing temporarily to help out on the frontline where I’m needed. I’m nervous but also keen to get back to being clinical and helping my fellow NHS workers who are working so hard!

Best thing about lockdown?

The best thing about lockdown is that it really puts life into perspective! We could have never imagined a time where we wouldn’t be allowed to do the simplest things such as meeting a friend for a coffee or go to the gym. Just normal day to day stuff and basic human interaction is suddenly appreciated more than ever.

I think when we come out of this (hopefully soon) we will all appreciate our freedom and relationships with our loved ones a lot more..

Worst thing about lockdown?

The fear of the unknown. This whole situation has created a lot of uncertainty and anxiety about our futures and we are all left wondering if and when life will ever be the same again. It can be overwhelming.

If you are reading this and struggling during isolation take comfort in knowing that you are not alone in how you feel. Nothing lasts forever and this too shall pass.

By staying at home we are protecting ourselves, our loved ones and each other. And eventually life will return to how it was. And we’ll have a greater appreciation for the little things in life

Top tip for surviving lockdown?

Limit how much of the news you follow. If you are following government guidelines that’s the most important thing. Social media is in overdrive with all sorts of fake news and theories flying around which will only fuel your anxiety.

Take your daily walk, keep your body strong and healthy with a good balanced diet and come up with a daily plan for your day. We are all used to a routine of some sort, so plan things ahead of time so it gives you some structure.

Also, call your friends! We’ve become so used to just texting and one thing I’ve really appreciated about this whole thing is that I’ve gotten in the habit of talking on the phone again! It’s a much better way of holding a meaningful conversation and is a great way of passing time. We all need each other so check up on your friends and family!

Read positive blogs and books to try and keep your spirits up too or start a really good novel!

If you could be locked down with one person, alive or dead, who would it be?

I would be in lockdown with Eddie Murphy because he’s my favourite comedian and laughter is the best medicine! Plus he always dresses up and plays a lot of different characters so well! Everyday he could be somebody new and it would feel like I was seeing a different friend each day lol

Also Joan Rivers, I loved her! Basically, anybody that could make me laugh!

What are you most looking forward to doing once lockdown is over?

Just playing with my nieces and nephews, I miss them so much! And beer gardens because summer is coming so fingers crossed we’re out the woods by then!