Top Tips for Lockdown
One moment we were out and about, living our lives. Then within hours we were plunged into lockdown. As I write this, New Zealand has been in Level 4 lockdown for a mere three days.
But in the weird time distortion that can occur during uncertainty, it feels to me like a week has passed. Or maybe that’s because my household has gone through a week’s worth of food in three days. For many of us, the loss of routine and endless hours at home can lead us to regularly looking for comfort in the fridge or pantry. As well as being important for our physical and mental health, food can provide us with comfort through distraction, routines and rituals. However, unless we’re mindful of the choices we make, that comfort eating can sometimes leaves us feeling worse.
Here are some of my top tips for coping in lockdown (that don’t always involve the pantry or fridge):
Have a routine each day.
Try to stick to a regular bedtime and get-up time, and follow your usual morning rituals e.g shower, breakfast, brush teeth. It can be so easy to forget to do these things when we don’t have to leave the house.
If you’re working from home, develop a routine around starting and finishing work, and having regular breaks.
If you’re at home with children try to also bring structure to their day - if they’re old enough get them involved in this. Ideas include: screen time / exercise / music / home learning / free play / food prep or baking /crafts / games / movie.
If you’re working from home and caring for children - take the pressure off, lower your expectations of everyone and just do what you can!
Move your body. When we’re stuck at home it can be hard to feel motivated to get moving. But we always feel better when we do. Make movement a daily priority.
Connect with others; being in our bubbles can be very isolating. Reaching out to others via zoom, email, phone, text or a card in the letterbox can be a pick-me-up for everyone.
Connect with nature. In lockdown it is easy to spend days on end inside. Try to get outside into fresh air, sunlight and if possible some green space. You’ll feel better for it
Plan your meals. By making a plan we’re less likely to fall into the comfort eating/mindless snacking trap. If you find yourself a bit bored and looking in the cupboard for snacks, try doing 20 jumping jacks. If you’re hungry afterwards, have a glass of water and a piece of fruit or a vegetable.
Breathe. Just one minute of slowing deep breathing can decrease your heart rate, reduce stress hormones and improve mental clarity.
Do something you enjoy every day. It might be listening to music, watching a favorite show or doing something creative. Joy is so important for building and maintaining our wellbeing.
Feeling stressed or need to talk? You can call or text 1737 any time, 24 hours a day to access support.
For more ideas for looking after our wellbeing check the Unite against COVID-19 Mental Wellbeing page here.
