How to Keep Sane When in Lockdown
Hi everyone! Worldwide, we’ve all been affected in different ways from this insidious virus. It’s been devastating to witness the impact a single thing can have on people’s well-being. It’s also been heartening to see the many acts of kindness, courage, humanity, and love. In times like these, it’s important to remember that the coronavirus is not the only thing that’s contagious. Hope is as well. So if you’re feeling low and things look bleak, I encourage you to stop whatever you’re doing and take a deep breath. Then, look a little further. There is always a bright side.
While there are things that we can’t control at the moment, it’s important to remember that we are all one and must actively take care of ourselves and those around. Not just physically, but mentally as well. Here are 7 things I hope you can keep in mind:
1. Stay in touch with people. Whether it’s family, friends, or your neighbors, make the daily effort to reach out and say hello. There is no shortage of ways to do that. So get dialing, whatsapping, facetiming, skyping, or emailing. Or in the UAE’s case, ‘botiming’. Whatever works. Even a brief convo is an incredible mood uplifter so don’t underestimate its power and how much you can brighten someone’s day as well as your own.
2. Set limits on how much time you spend reading or watching news about the outbreak. You will want to stay up to date on news of the outbreak, particularly if you have loved ones in places where many people have gotten sick. But make sure to take time away from the news to focus on other things in your life that you can control. Also get the facts from trusted sources such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and your national government. Avoid unverified posts made on social media and other media, as rumors and inaccurate information often cause panic amid uncertainty. This includes all family whatsapp chats where everyone’s got a ‘trusted source’.
3. Create a designated work space and get dressed in the morning as if you’re going out or to the office. While we all like the idea of working from bed or in our PJs in theory, it doesn't work. Not in the long run anyway. Your bed is not a workspace. Neither is the sofa. Find a table in your home and make it your work space. Also, try to make that space encouraging to work in.
4. Keep yourself active and schedule in time to walk around your house throughout the day and workout. Many fitness instructors have shared their exercise routines online, which you can follow easily without needing any fancy gym equipment or a lot of space. If you have kids, do follow Joe Wicks, a fitness instructor who has become the world’s PE teacher. He’s making it his priority to help children keep active while they’re out of school. Every weekday at 9AM UK time, Joe live-streams 30 min workouts on his Youtube channel to get kids (and their parents) moving and energized.
5. Learn something new or start something that’s been on your to-do list for a while. The digital world means it has never been easier to learn a new skill, anytime, anywhere. Website platforms such as Coursera and Edx allow visitors to enroll in courses, and learn about a range of topics with options to specialize and obtain a certification or degree. Many of the courses include video lectures, optional readings, and even homework to do each day. Also, Google has come up with an absolutely incredible way to experience cultures, art, food, and so much more through their Arts and Culture Project which I can’t recommend enough. Whether to advance your career or to pick up new hobbies that help you enjoy everyday life, online courses are one of the best perks of the 21st century.
For more websites which offer courses you may be interested in enrolling in, check out my full tried and tested list below. Some are currently offering free courses for you to try as well, so no excuses! Also if you have any you’d like to recommend, I’m all ears.
6. Wipe the dust off of the books you’ve been meaning to finish this year, and get reading! Books are free therapy, and there’s nothing more inspiring than diving into someone else’s world and learning something new. I love my paperback, but I’m also forever grateful to the many e-books available through Kindle, Apple Books, and many other apps. Audible is also another alternative if you’d prefer to listen to a riveting narrator tell the story.
7. Cook a new recipe. As many supermarkets have been out of stock for certain products, shoppers have had to improvise with their recipes using different substitutes. Many chefs and food writers have offered cooking tips and videos for those who are looking for recipe inspiration and are struggling to find ingredients after panic buying has cleared out supermarket shelves. Also, staying connected with others gives us a sense of much needed normalcy so one way to address loneliness is to have a virtual lunch with a friend over video apps or share a baking session.