We’re facing another ‘new normal’ as countries begin to lift lockdown and ease COVID-19 restrictions but let’s face it- lockdown hasn’t been the kindest to most people.
Self-care is often the first thing that gets sacrificed when life is stressful, and people often think that taking time for themselves seems indulgent. But looking after your own wellbeing will help you get through this challenging time, and will help you to better care for others.
During these challenging times you may notice some of the following:
- Increased anxiety
- Feeling stressed
- Finding yourself excessively checking for symptoms, in yourself, or others
- Becoming irritable more easily
- Feeling insecure or unsettled
- Fearing that normal aches and pains might be the virus
- Having trouble sleeping
- Feeling helpless or a lack of control
- Having irrational thoughts
Keeping a realistic perspective of the situation based on facts is important and looking after our mental and physical health is crucial.
Stay in touch
Maintain as much connection with family and friends as possible. Sharing your experiences is going to help you make sense of what you’re going through and ensure you feel supported and connected.
Keep busy
Try to keep your brain occupied and challenged and set aside time in your routine for this. You could read books, magazines and articles. Or you could listen to podcasts, watch films or do puzzles.
Get active
Physical exercise is a great stress buster. Take time once a day outside or in your home. There are plenty of online classes and if you have mobility issues there are sitting stretches or wheelchair exercises you can do. Be imaginative about keeping active, even if it’s just in small ways and try not to sit for periods of longer than an hour.
Look after yourself
In the same way that we want to be looking after our mental wellbeing, we also want to be nourishing our body during this time. Stuck indoors, it’s all too easy to drift into a state of lethargy and idleness. Exercising from home is going to help you keep active and engaged, and there are all kinds of different videos online to suit your mood and fitness level.
Eating habits are also really important. Planning ahead and cooking meals during the day can help provide you with structure whilst ensuring you’re eating healthily.
Create a daily schedule
It’s easy to feel unmotivated without any clear structure which is why it’s important that you create some kind of routine during lockdown.
Creating your own daily (or weekly) schedule is going to help you keep active and busy, and find better balance during your days.