5 ways to Cope in Lockdown
So here we are again in full lockdown
Im not sure about anyone else but this one feels weird, I’m not as scared as the first lockdown but I do feel frustrated. You see last year I turned 30 and promised myself I would go travel the world more, as believe or not I haven’t been abroad for more than 10 years.
Well Covid soon put a stop to that, so I have had to pivot my goals and ideas for this year. We were planning on rolling out courses this year to help people with their health and empowering them to optimise their own potential. We are still going to do this however it may be more of an online experience now. I do love meeting people in person however and teaching and coaching that way.
Anyway this is an article about coping with lockdown, we need to reframe our thinking. This year isn’t going to be normal but thats ok. If we acknowledge that and realise that we are probably gonna get frustrated at times then we can let go of the pent up feelings of anxiety and frustration. Never in my lifetime have I seen or been through anything like this so its all new and that can get overwhelming at times.
So here are 5 tips to help make lockdown that bit easier;
Keep a routine - Get up at the same time as you normally do, go to bed the same time as you normally do, this will help keep things normal-ish for the time being
Try taking a little extra time at breakfast to enjoy it: Are you one of those people who is usually rushing out the door with a slice of toast in your mouth because you have to be at work like ten minutes ago? SLOW IT DOWN, take the extra time you have now to make something nice and flavourful, try a new or old recipe you haven’t had in a longtime. A great tip is to chew each forkful of food twenty times before putting another in your mouth, this will slow you down and build awareness, not to mention help digestion!
Meditate - take this opportunity to lay down or sit down in a really comfortable position, play some soothing music or have the room silent. Close your eyes and try to clear your mind of thoughts, do not worry if suddenly your brain throws a million and one ideas into your mind thats OK. The practice of meditation is often way more important than the actual task. Now if you have children get them involved say you are going to play a game of sleeping lions and offer them a treat if they are the quietist.
Try Learning something new - In the first lockdown I learnt how to play chess which I have wanted to do for a while now. There are a billion videos, articles and courses online to learn just about anything. So if you schedule an hour or half an hour a day to try and learn a new skill, remember you don’t have to be a master by the end of the day. it can be the start of a wonderful new learning experience for you that lasts a life time.
Relax - We are all in this together, we are all struggling, ‘you are not alone’ as the song goes. Take a hot bath, take a nap or read a book. Do anything that helps you to chill out and release tension mental or physical.
Hope you enjoyed my thoughts and 5 ways to cope with this new year.
Take Care
Your Friendly Neighbourhood Osteopath
Jamie