5 tips to protect your mental health in lockdown

Hello loves, how are we all doing? After several weeks of lockdown, emotions are all over the place and we are all feeling the strain. We are not designed to live such isolated lives. We thrive on connection and living separated from our loved ones is hard on all of us.

Whether you are alone entirely, or at home with your immediate family, we are all living lives that have been shaken upside down. Trying to work and homeschool our kids, keep ourselves busy so that we don’t’ have too much time to dwell on the situation.

It’s a totally unprecedented time, one we could never have prepared for or seen coming.

There was a period at the beginning when I felt totally overwhelmed by it all, but I realised that I needed to take a step back for my own mental health. I’m home alone with my five kiddos, which has brought it’s own challenges, keeping everyone occupied day after day, making sure everyone has space to get away from each other and diffusing tensions as they arise.

One thing to remember right now, is we are all struggling in our own ways. This is not normal life, and we need to give ourselves extra leeway right now. However you are feeling right now, here are five things you can do to protect your mental health through lockdown;

• MOVE IT – we’re allowed out for a daily exercise still, so take advantage of that. We’ve been getting out most days, and are lucky enough to be in walking distance of a river/woodland. Even if you don’t have any nature nearby where you can walk, just getting out will help. Exercise helps realise endorphins, those feel-good hormones, plus the fresh air, change of scene and sunlight all work together to boost your mood. On days when we’re all in a bit of a funk, I gather us all up, with some bottles of water and fruit for an on-the-go snack and head out for a good hour or two. If you can’t get outside, or don’t want to, then why not try a yoga video on YouTube?
• CONNECT – reach out to your family and friends. Daily phone calls, FaceTime, Skype calls, a zoom family get-together. It makes us feel less alone, and keeps us connected to those we love. Even dropping friends a quick message helps. Stay in touch – spread the love, and save up those hugs for when we can meet in person again.
• GET CREATIVE – creativity is a fantastic mood booster and a positive way of protecting your mental health. Paint. Knit. Sew. Draw. Bake. Whatever floats your boat. Use these camper svg to dream about post lockdown travels, or these pencil svg to create something fun for your little one! Don’t worry about the end result, just enjoy. Get lost in the process and have fun.
• ROUTINE – it’s easy to let go of a routine when we have nothing to hold us to it. But that can be detrimental to our mental health. Humans generally thrive on routine. Especially if you are struggling to sleep, bringing in a routine can help. Try and get up around the same time each day, plan meal times out, a daily alk, some winding downtime in the evening, then bed around the same time each day.
• KEEP HEALTHY – when I’m stressed I tend to reach for the junk food. The crisps and chocolate consumption goes up, add in a daily glass of wine and before you know it I can’t remember the last time I ate a vegetable. There’s nothing wrong with a little of what you like – BUT eating a healthy diet is not only good for your body but for your mind too. I know I feel SO much better when I eat less junk and more fresh, wholefoods.