Understandably, everything feels a bit weird at the moment and it’s unsure when life will return to normal. Most people are doing some form of work or schoolwork but the time not occupied by it can feel lonely and worrying. So what can you do to not be sucked into the black hole of procrastination and anxiety? Here are 10 things that you can do to to bring a smile to your face or someone else’s. Xx
- Don’t go on your phone straight away when you get up
Currently all you hear about is the Coronavirus (I see the irony in writing about it myself!) so waking up and being bombarded with doom and despair isn’t the best way to start your day. Wait until after breakfast to check your social media feeds and look at emails.
- Get dressed
When you have no reason to, getting dressed for the day seems unnecessary and absurd but could actually impact your day more than you would think. Simply putting on jeans and a T-shirt make you feel as if you are going to be productive, so you are more likely to be productive! Why not go through your wardrobe and pick out something you haven’t worn in a while? It is also a good opportunity to sort out items to donate post-lockdown.
- Stick to a routine
It is so easy to fall into a pattern of watching TV and endlessly scrolling through social media, but sticking to a proper routine gives your day structure and makes you feel like you have achieved more. You don’t need a full day of scheduled activities, but setting aside specific times for eating, breaks, work and exercise can break your day down into more manageable chunks.
- Practice gratitude
Sometimes I can find it quite easy to focus on things that are annoying me or that aren’t the way I planned, so practicing gratitude helps me to realise my blessings and mindfully approach my life in a way that reflects the things I am grateful for. Try to start your week by making a mind map of all the things that you enjoy in life or that you highly value. It can be big things like family and relationships or small things like how comfy your sofa is. Acknowledging things you don’t normally think about can make you feel more positive about your life in general.
- Read a book
This feels rather self explanatory but nonetheless a very good idea. If you like magical realism novels, ‘Before the Coffee Gets Cold’ by Toshikazu Kawaguchi is a wonderful read. I will also do a post on book recommendations soon too!
- Have a go at journaling!
As an avid journal advocate, I would recommend to everyone under any circumstance to journal. It doesn’t have to be fancy, it can be one line per day in an old notepad or you could even use the notes app on your phone. In difficult times, it can really benefit your mental health to write down how you are feeling and what you have been doing. After a few weeks you may be able to see patterns between your routines and emotions – something that may enable you to change your lifestyle in order to improve your wellbeing. There are also loads of great websites that have journal prompts and ideas to help you understand yourself better (I will do a post on this soon). If you are a creative person like I am, spending ten minutes doodling your day into a diary can relieve stress and if nothing else, give you something to do.
- Stretch
Lots of people are currently thinking about fitting healthy habits into their new lockdown routine. Stretching or yoga videos are an enjoyable form of movement with additional psychological benefits. Starting your day with ten minutes of simple stretches can improve blood flow, relieve stress and boost concentration. I would highly recommend ‘Yoga with Adrienne’ on YouTube for various levels of athleticism.
- Write a letter
Writing a letter to a friend or a family member is a wonderful way to pass the time and connect with people you don’t regularly speak to. You can make it as long or short as you like and talk about anything you wish, creatively inclined people may wish to add personal touches or decorate the envelope too! It is a lovely sentiment to receive a letter so why not brighten up someone else’s day?
- Do something creative!
This is a very vague prompt as creativity comes in many forms. Take some nice photos around your living space, do some sketches of your pets, write a song or start a blog!
- Talk if you need to
The current situation is strange and unprecedented, so throughout the world many people will be dealing with difficult emotions and mental health issues. Make sure you stay connected, whether on text, video chats or phone calls and try to contact at least one person a day so that you don’t feel isolated. If you are struggling or overwhelmed by the current situation or a personal one, there are lots of charities and organisations with helplines you can ring for support and guidance. All of these charities have easily accessible websites with more information there as well.
Anxiety UK
Monday-Friday 9:30am-5:30pm
03444 775 774
Mind UK
Monday-Friday 9am-6pm
44 300 123 3393
Papyrus
Monday-Friday 10am-10pm
Weekends 2pm-10pm
0800 068 4141
They were my ten ideas for thriving in (or even coping with) social distancing. Comment any below that I’ve missed or any ideas for future posts. I hope you have a wonderful week and remember how loved you are. Stay hopeful, stay healthy and stay indoors! Xx
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