Self-Care as Lockdown Eases

Isolating solo can lead to a state of anxiety due to months of being inside for a large, ongoing period of time on your own, while isolating with other people can prove to have its own problems.

There are many things you can do to try to ensure your anxiety remains at a minimum level and to keep your mind and body in optimum condition during these unprecedented times.

Try to Keep a Routine

If we weren’t in the middle of a pandemic, the chances are you’d be in your regular routine of getting up, having breakfast, going to work, having meetings, eating lunch, seeing friends, making dinner - the ‘usual’. But our routines have since been tipped upside down thanks to the Coronavirus and the subsequent lockdown. This doesn’t mean, however, that a new routine cannot be implemented. Try to wake up reasonably early; by all means give yourself the lie in you wouldn’t have gotten, perhaps due to your commute, but try to start the day bright and fresh. Whether you’re working, are furloughed or are a scrambling self-employed worker, it’s essential to keep your brain in check. So even if you’re out of work for the moment, continue to read and research, in place of your previous work. Designate times to read; work out; watch TV - just don’t end up sat on your sofa watching TV show after TV show. There’s absolutely no problem with this - if you wish to be unproductive and zone out, that is your prerogative, but it might result in anxiety creeping up every now and then.

Working Out

We’ve all heard the spiel that exercise releases endorphins, right? Well it’s more crucial than ever in this state of quarantine. Our favourite gyms, trainers and fitness bloggers are all working hard to ensure we are not left unfit and inactive, by putting on free workouts across social media channels. The Body Coach offers P.E. sessions every weekday on YouTube, while Psycle and Gymbox have their own classes - just virtually. If you’re not a fan of home workouts, use your time outside wisely. We’re no longer restricted to just one hour of exercise a day so if you prefer to run or do your own routine outside, do so. Just try to remain active and fit - it will do you more good than you realise. It’s the time to try something new as well; previously, a barre or bootcamp class might have been too expensive for you to try out but now many of these are being offered for free, it’s a good excuse to see what new things you might enjoy.

Yoga and Meditation

In addition to working out, we need to listen to and connect with our bodies. We can do this through various yoga and meditation classes. Like home workouts, many of these are being offered for free by a variety of gym clubs and fitness professionals. There are so many yogis and meditation class leaders who are doing a variety of these kinds of sessions that you can partake in and focus on your breathing and on yourself. It’s a great way to calm your inner self, switch off from the news, social media and everything and just take some time for you. Healing is a very important part of any daily routine and we often don’t have the time to dedicate to it - except now we do. Use your newfound free time to truly benefit your body and mind. Most people try to do a session regularly - be it daily or weekly - however you can also just listen to your body and see when you might need it most. After watching the news; after a long day of scrolling through social media websites; before bedtime etc.

Self Care

Taking time for you has never been more important. Nobody quite truly knows how to act as we’re in a situation no one thought we’d ever be in. Spend some time without technology; do puzzles, draw, cook a new recipe from that cookbook you bought years ago. If you need to, listen to music but try to stay away from screens. Write gratitude lists, read a book - things that will allow your mind to be at peace. It’s also a great time to give yourself a pampering session. Run yourself a bath as you read your book; do some face masks, experiment with essential oils (jasmine and lavender are particularly good for calming oneself).

Schedule in Time with Friends

Perhaps a mass Zoom call might make you feel a bit uneasy - but there’s no reason why putting some time in to talk with friends won’t do you good. You can be truly honest about how you’re coping in lockdown and a one-to-one conversation will allow time for you both to catch up with each other and be there for one another through any stresses or problems you maybe be having during this period of uncertain times. It’s great to schedule it in the diary as it’s then something to look forward to and you’re not caught unaware, should you be in the mood for a relaxing night in to yourself. It’s also another way of keeping to a routine if you make it a monthly thing - that you can continue post-lockdown too, especially if they don’t live nearby.