Getting through Lockdown

With the world in lockdown, and many people confined to their homes, here are my tips to help you get through the days. Try to do 3 things from the list every day.

1. Do something constructive such as spring clean a room, go through your wardrobe getting ready for summer, tidy a cupboard, organise photos, valet your car, clean out the fridge, or sort out your filing system. It can be hard to get motivated to start these type of tasks, but it is so very satisfying to finish them.

2. Take some exercise, if the weather is nice and you can go outside, go for a walk, if not try yoga, dancing, or an armchair workout. There are some great resources online to keep your body active, whatever your level of fitness.

3. Spread a little joy, because right now it is impossible to socialise physically, remember to stay in contact by phone, text, email or video chat. In particular think about those who are elderly, alone or vulnerable, your message could be the highlight of their day.

4. Do something creative, bake bread, or make a cake, draw a picture, write some poetry, if you have a garden pick some flowers and arrange them in a vase. Take your time to enjoy the activity and put your heart into it. Anything that gives you a sense of accomplishment can have a positive effect on your mental well being.

5. Spend at least half an hour reading a book, magazine or article online. Allow yourself the luxury of finding something literary that you can lose yourself in. Maybe read a subject that interests you but that you know little about, to increase your knowledge base.

6. Give yourself a spa treatment, take a long soak in the tub, with a bath bomb or bubbles, give yourself a facial or soak your feet in a bowl of warm water with a few drops of your favourite essential oil. Moisturise your hands and wrap in a warm towel to help aid the absorption of the hand cream. If you have a partner maybe suggest giving each other a massage. We can all benefit from a little pampering occasionally.

7. Listen to some music, whatever you are in to, the kind that makes you feel good, reminds you of your youth or a happy time in your life. Perhaps rediscover a band or genre of music you've not heard in a while and had forgotten you once liked. Feed your soul.

8. Meditate, if you have never done it before, do not be put off by preconceptions of groups of cross-legged hippies chanting ohm. For a start, you do not need to sit crossed legged, you can meditate sitting in a chair or lying in bed. You just need to be comfortable and have a few minutes when you will not be disturbed, to clear your head and focus your mind. The idea is to quiet the conscious mind, the voice within that is constantly giving instructions, making judgements, reflecting on the past, predicting the future, worrying, regretting and generally self-bashing. There are many apps and guided meditations to help as well as books on the methods of meditation available. I recommend that everyone should try it.

9. Connect with nature, easier said than done if you live in a city apartment, I know, but if you have a garden go out in it and listen to the birds. There is less noise pollution from industry and traffic now, and if you can plant some seeds, or enjoy some green space it will enrich your life. Look at the sunset, or the stars on a clear night. If you cannot go outside, search the internet for images of the countryside, listen to recordings of birdsong and look at some of the many videos of wildlife coming into the towns now that humans are less prevalent.

10. Be thankful, try to find three things every day that you are grateful for, and write them down. We take so much for granted, but when we stop and think most of us have much to be content about. If you and your loved ones are healthy, if you have a roof over your head, enough to eat, education, happy memories, people that care about you, a faithful pet, remember to be thankful. Even the small things that make us happy, like our children's laughter, that perfect cup of tea or coffee, a delicious dinner, watching our favourite film or show, the phone call from a friend checking that we are ok, the sun shining on a spring morning, the fresh smell in the air after the rain. Notice the little blessings and record them in a book, to reflect on when you feel sad. They will help to lift your mood.

I hope you like my tips and if you do please feel free to leave me a tip! Thanks.