The global health crisis has thrown the machinations of our lives out of gear. While people are still coming to terms with the new world we find ourselves in, it seems that for the foreseeable future spending the majority of our time indoors will be the new normal. Working from home, restricted access to other locations and reduced social activities have brought upon a new problem of feeling isolated. If you find yourself worn out mentally, you’re not alone. To help you cope with this problem we have compiled a list of things you can do to kick those lockdown blues away.
Follow A Routine
Your life prior to the worldwide emergency had a routine of some sort, so why not have a similar system during the lockdown as well? With a little tweaking you can easily set your daily schedule to incorporate work, family and leisure activities. Set meal times and stick to the schedule – preferably the same times as you were accustomed to when going into the office. Get dressed the same way you would normally and set up your ‘at home workstation’ in a dedicated area so that you can work with increased focus. If you have kids at home they will be needing, and vying for, your attention as well, so allocate some time for school assignments or online lessons as a break from your daily workload.
Exercise
Depending on your living situation, a morning run might not be an option available to you under the circumstances. But don’t let this deter you from getting your daily exercise. It’s the right time to take the treadmill cover off and get your running fix for the day. Yoga is another great exercise option that can help you de-stress and start your day on a positive note. Choose a quiet room or corner in the house and give yourself an hour of relaxation with the yoga postures of your choice. And don’t forget to incorporate some meditation time at the end. You’ll feel the difference right away.
Reorganise Your Home
You might not notice, but the clutter in your house leads to a lot of mental fatigue. So what’s the solution? Lose some of the unwanted items and make space for family activities like board games on the carpet. Use custom sofa covers to protect your furniture while not in use to safely open up more space. Box up all those other objects cleared out in the decluttering process of your home and pack them away in boxes in either the garage, in storage, or put them in the boot, ready for donating to a local charity once businesses reopen. All without any fuss. With the space that you will create you can have an unobstructed view of your backyard or maybe have some more area to play with your pet.
Be Connected Socially
While social media offers unlimited opportunities for you to connect with the world, It cannot replace the friendly conversation you have with a neighbour or the daily exchange of pleasantries with the corner shop couple. Given the prevailing situation it might not be possible to have extended social meet-ups but you can still maintain a connection with people through the day and put your mind at ease from that feeling of isolation. Take a walk, or just meet for a chat. As long as you are cognizant of keeping each other safe you can still keep those vital personal connections going.
Don’t Be Too Hard On Yourself
Agreed, these are testing times. But this too shall pass and with that optimism you should be able to conquer any and all obstacles in your way. Do not pressure yourself unnecessarily to be perfect at all times. It’s alright if the kids create a ruckus in the kitchen or if that online presentation didn’t go the way you planned. Just take a step back, breathe, relax, and the situation will be in control within no time. Remember, even though you and your family are healthy that doesn’t mean this is not a period of trauma for everyone. It’s good to remember that being happy is a choice. Be cognizant of that and gentle with yourself should you forget. Simply endeavour to make that choice and enjoy every day. You’ll be glad you did.
Even though this year has begun on a bit of a rough note, it will not be like this forever. During this phase of emergency and caution it is inevitable for the mind to wander off into the dark uncertainties. Keeping a positive attitude and marching on is the best mindset to find the silver lining. So keep calm and carry on.
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