Hello! I hope you all are well and safe during these uncertain and scary times. I’ve been home and abiding to the lockdown rules for over a week now, since my retail workplace closed last weekend and from when the UK officially went into lockdown.

Whilst we’re looking after our physical health, staying in to minimise the risk of spreading and contracting Coronavirus (COVID-19), it is also important to take care of your mental health. It’s not easy to be socially distant from your loved ones, especially when we don’t know how long for. I’ve got some tips to help you take care of your mental health whilst staying at home.

1. Avoid Constantly Looking Up News Updates

I know this is easier said than done, I can’t go on Twitter or Instagram without seeing something about the Coronavirus, but try and avoid looking constantly if seeing this causes anxiety. Only look at official website and official government announcements! I’ve seen so many varying news articles just scrolling down my feeds, seeing differing information – one stated that the lockdown will be over by Easter (a few weeks away), the other said it would go on for 3 months. Don’t believe what people are tweeting or posting, there is sooo much #FakeNews around!

2. Figure Out Your Routine

Obviously staying at home on a lockdown is a dramatic change in our normal routines, it’s important to try to find out information about how your work and school is going to be affected by this. For me personally, knowing that my retail workplace was closing but not knowing if I was going to get paid, gave me so much anxiety.

Plan out what you want to do at the beginning of the day and try to stick to a routine. If you’re working at home or having to do your school work at home, schedule your work hours – when you’re going to take breaks included. One advice that stuck with me during my university revision days is that having a dedicated work space is so important – your bed is for relaxation not for work!

3. Take Advantage of Video Call Option

Stay connected with everyone you love! Message them, call them, tag them in social media challenges. Keep up with your relationships, check up on your loved ones and make sure that they’re okay and safe. Open up and talk to them about your anxiety and worries, they may be feeling the same way and just in talking you can help others to get  through this.

4. R-E-L-A-X

Take some time out for some self-care, whatever you find to be relaxing and what helps calm your nerves. Check this out for some meditation and Mindfulness techniques – NHS, Mindfulness meditation. Mindfulness, simply, is having a present (moment-by-moment) awareness of your thoughts, feelings and bodily sensations – being aware of how you feel and understanding yourself better.

5. Keep Active

Normally I am pretty active, commuting to work, traveling here and there for all sorts – I would like to say that have a strong presence in the gym but that would be a lie! But obviously being at home changes my active routine so I’ve looked up how to keep active at home. Keeping up with your physical health and doing things that will keep your mind off this situation. One thing I’m currently enjoying is spending my mornings playing Just Dance with my sister – get a little exercise with some laughter!

For further advice and information about COVID-19 please have a look at the official NHS website – NHS.

Please take care of yourself and those around you, follow the Government instructions!

Thank you so much to those risking their health to help others, all the key workers.

Antonia

xoxo