Don’t Let Lockdown Get You Down

Many people have been “stuck” at home since March this year.  This is a whole 5 months.  Even the strongest amongst us are feeling the pressure.  Here are some tips to help you cope.

1. DO NOT listen to the news every day.  The “news” is not really news when you get to hear the same thing every day, day in, day out.  Look up goodnewsnetwork.org to see lots of articles that will make you laugh and smile and help you to see that there is real news worth checking out.
2. DO reach out for help, if you are feeling miserable or if you feel things are getting hopeless. If you already have people you can talk to, don’t put it off.  Do it now.  If you are isolated (physically) and feel like you cannot cope any more, then lookup au.reachout.com.  Most of the critical services are provided for free.
3. TAKE up a new hobby.  Our body health is controlled by the brain. Learn a new language, play computer games, build something new, try anything you have not done before.   Not only will you have something to look forward to each day, you will be “exercising” the brain and will build new neural connections/pathways, which will help to keep your brain stimulated and happy.
4. MOVE. The importance of this cannot be understated.  Our bodies love to move.  Movement stimulates the brain, lubricates the joints and makes us breath more.  If your body is able, then consider spending 30 minutes early in the day, every day, to do an an exercise program (even if it’s just walking around the back garden!).  There are plenty of programs available for free on the Internet.  You will notice that your day will look very different once you have finished.  If you are unable to exercise, the at least consider walking and/or standing, rather than sitting.  Try walking while you read your book.  If you are working from home and have to work at a desk, take frequent breaks… i.e. get up and run on the spot, skip around the house, do some push-ups, or anything else that gets you to MOVE.  Each time you move, it flushes your brain with fresh oxygen and blood and you will be able to work better and feel happier.
5. LISTEN to your body.  For most people this is as simple as deciding whether you are hungry, tired, sleepy or sick.
   While it may be tempting to indulge in alcoholic drinks, remember that alcohol is still a drug and at some stage, your body will tell you to stop!
   Try to maintain a rough timetable in your day and make sure it involves sleep.  Your body will appreciate it if you can get 8 hours of sleep every day.  Yes, it’s tempting to tell yourself that watching another episode of a TV series at 11:30pm won’t matter as you don’t have to go to work the next day.  Again, your body will tell you that something is not right the next day.  If you do this often enough, your ability to do your daily tasks will diminish and your health will eventually suffer.
   If you do any exercise and it hurts, your body is telling you that something is wrong.  Stop doing that exercise and pick something different, or simply let your body rest for a day or two.  If the pain does not go away or gets worse, consider getting treatment.  You are permitted to seek medical treatment and remember we are still open and ready to help.