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
I’ll admit I definitely work on my blog in my bed. I can’t help it, it’s comfortable lol! But I do think it’s important to have a different space when it comes to work. We’re currently in a one bedroom apartment so dedicating a space for a desk is still something to work on. I think you’re totally right with tip number 4, it’s a stressful time right now and we’re in a situation we can’t really control. The best we can do is ensure we stay home and only go out when absolutely necessary. We might as well do a little self-care and relax. Thanks for sharing these tips doll, stay safe!
Des | https://www.itsbetterinheels.com
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I do exactly the same, I pretty much do my blogging in my bed!
Hope you’re staying safe!
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Totally agree with this! I found that not constantly checking on the news worked so good for me and helped me get into a more positive mindset!
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Definitely it’s so important to try and keep a positive mindset
Hope you’re doing well and staying safe!
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🙌looking at the news can definitely make things so much worse for me. I’m definitely just relaxing lol enjoying this time with my kids and husband💛
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Same, I’ve completely stopped myself from looking at the news multiple times a day. Awww I hope you all are having a relaxing day!
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Totally true about not looking at the news too often. What are you using for lighting in that selfie?
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I’m using a Ring Light Mirror, I think I got it in Boots or Amazon for like £15 maybe!
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It’s so good to have articles like these out because it’s so important to protect our mental health during these times as well as our physical health! Loved it 🤍
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Thank you so so much! 100% I agree, hope you are doing well and taking care of your mental health!
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These are such great tips especially staying connected and keeping a routine. With everything going on, keeping something consistent is very important for our mental health and video chatting is important for our emotional health
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Thank you! Yes that’s so important to keep some sort of routine, just so you know what you’re doing and you have some sort of structure in this time of such uncertainty
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The keep active thing has been my issue. So I’ve started checking out videos on YouTube to stay fit. I need to come out bad, but not “ew” bad lol.
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Yes YouTube workout videos have been my go to, to try and keep active!
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