How to take care of your mental health in lockdown.

With millions of reported cases and hundreds and thousands of recorded deaths due to Coronavirus and with no vaccination in sight, in the near future, it is obvious that the world is going to struggle with what 2020 is throwing at us. Even after months of lockdown, quarantining for two weeks, social distancing, and wearing masks, the pandemic refuses to die away. It is indeed a new experience for everyone, and there are strict guidelines to stay at home and work from home and limit social trips and contact.

On top of the coronavirus pandemic, people are battling with another menace at home and which is mental health issues. Those weeks and months of social isolation during the lockdown period is taking a toll on their mental health. Suddenly, there is a sharp rise in the number of mental health disorders and alcohol addictions. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration are getting constant texts, and there is a 65 percent jump in clients with coronavirus-related anxiety. With the geographic march of the virus across the world and no guarantee of any vaccination, people are really afraid.

So, what can you do to take care of your family and yourself in lockdown and keep the mental health of your loved ones in good shape? Well, read on to know about some good tips and suggestions.

How to take care of your mental health in lockdown.

Focus on yourself
As they say, you can only take good care of others only if you are in good health. With all the negativity around, it is easy to slip into some harmful habits such as sleeping late, eating junk food, and ignoring your mental health. Psychotherapists suggest starting with a good routine that promotes self-care and ensures that you are looking after yourself. Practice self-care and remind yourself that you are not alone in this situation, and there are many who could be in a worse situation than you. So, stay positive, no matter what, and dwell on the good things in your life, such as the food on the table or your work or the fact that you are with your loved ones. I write a daily gratitude diary to make sure I’m appreciating the little things that happen each day and help me manifest more good into my life.

Set up a routine
Even if you do not have much to do, have a routine for yourself and your family and the kids. With some schools and offices closed, most of the family are cooped up together for most of the time. So, it is a good idea to set up a routine for everyone, including yourself, and just keep the routine going as much as possible. It means getting up at regular times, eating meals at set times, and taking out time for exercising. Unstructured time can create boredom and create anxiety, or depression. However, if you have set up a routine and are not able to stick to the schedule every day, just don’t make it a big deal. Just reflect on the important things and overlook some events or happenings around you.

Follow a healthy diet plan
In order to keep your mind healthy, your body needs to be healthy first. When one gets sick or falls ill, those negative thoughts ring heavily on the mind at all times. Have a look at what you are eating, and now that you are forced to eat at home, make the most of it. Set up a healthy diet plan and include everyone in your family, and you could learn some new recipes. A good diet can certainly boost all those vitamins and minerals that your body needs for good health and help beat chronic illnesses and depression as well. It really is essential to eat healthily and avoid binge eating when feeling down, check out my meal planning and cooking playlist on YouTube for loads of healthy meal ideas.

Exercise daily
It’s a good idea to start an exercise routine as it’s a great way to boost up your feel-good hormones. Plus, you feel elated when you see the results of your efforts and maintain good physical and mental health. A regular exercise routine is a great way to spend quality time indoors as well as keep that weight in check. Exercise is said to boost your mood significantly, and this is great news for those who are feeling low and anxious due to COVID. The whole family can spend some time together doing some fun dancing or try out some new cardio exercises. Do not forget to put the music on, and it is a great idea to go on the terrace or out in the garden in the fresh air for your exercise routine. According to the NHS, even 15-20 minutes of moderate exercise, everyday can-do wonders.

Yoga and meditation
If you’ve never tried Yoga or practiced mediation, this is the right time to do so, it can feel hard to “get it” but it’s so worthwhile to try. Just spend some time alone and practice those asanas and medicate to balance your chakras and connect with the higher soul. Even a few minutes of daily practice will help you reinforce yourself positively and visualize a better tomorrow. You will be amazed as to how grateful and content you feel after each session. Start and end your day with a few minutes of meditation to keep yourself away from any depression and anxiety with the added bonus of the more peaceful and calm side of you. I use crystals when I meditate too to really help level up my practice. Maybe creating a vision board would be helpful to you too, have a watch of how to create your vision board here.

Talk to your friends and family
Social connectivity is the most basic psychological needs of human beings and is a key factor in our wellbeing. While social media and texting are fine, it is the real talking or, say, a safe-distance conversation on the street with a close friend that can work wonders. Now that you have more time due to the lockdown make good use of it. Just pick up your phone and talk to your friends, parents, cousins, and other family members. You will find that just sharing your thoughts and connecting with each other brings a huge relief to your mind. So, use your phone to reduce the stress considerably as it helps to maintain a social connection.

I hope these tips help your mental health in lockdown. If you are feeling depressed or worryingly unhappy please seek medical advice immediately.

XOXO