Well here we are back into a lockdown but this time it feels different. We knew it was coming, we were given some warning and we’ve done this before. Of course that doesn’t always stop the worry, the doubts or the anxiety creeping in so I wanted to share my top 5 tips on how to take some control back from a lockdown.
Get dressed
This might sound an obvious one but get out of those PJ’s!! It’s all about mentality and whilst I love nothing more than a lazy PJ day I know that I won’t be productive or focused if I wear them EVERY day. Some days I need to get stuff done and my fluffy dressing gown isn’t going to give me the attitude I need to do it.
Make a list
Everyone’s circumstances are different but one thing that we’ve all found is that we have more time. Make a list of everything that you would like to achieve in your free time, this might be the evenings, weekends or even the daytime. Top of my list is to finish the DIY jobs I started last lockdown! Ticking them off really makes me feel like I’m achieving and working my way through something.
Keep to your schedule
Again, we are all experiencing this differently BUT all of our schedules will have changed slightly. We can keep them going by doing simple things like getting up when we usually would or be finding things to fill them with. Look at the list you’ve made. Is there anything there that you could add to your schedule? Make them realistic, I’ve not been to the gym for quite a while and I’m not about to use this lockdown to try and become a fitness fanatic BUT I will take the dog out for longer walks because I now have the time to do this.
Take time for yourself
Bijou Box is all about self-care and accepting taking time to yourself isn’t selfish. Bijou Box is great in providing you with things that you can use to give yourself some of that self-care time but self-care doesn’t just have to be about pampering. It can be reading a book, having a cup of tea (and maybe a biscuit!), binge watching rubbish TV; in fact it’s anything that makes you feel like you. Make sure to factor in some self-care because it’s needed now more than ever.
Stay connected
I’m sure that we would all agree that one of the hardest things about lockdown is not seeing our friends and family. I’m going to say, pick up the phone and call! I know we use our phones for 100 other things, but they do still make phone calls ;) .There is something so much more personal about getting a phone call from someone and the conversation flows much better than waiting for them to send a text back. I know my mood is lifted by just chatting about random things to friends so why not give it a try. I hope these tips have been helpful. This year has seen all of our mental health and resilience take a bit of a battering, if you ever need to reach out and speak to someone then the Samaritans can be reached on 116 123.