keeping on top of your mental health in lockdown britain

One thing we can all agree on as we go into another week of lockdown is that it isn't always easy. No matter who you're with and where you are, there are days when it might just seem a little harder, and that's fine.

The same is happening to you, me, your guardian, your best friend, your favourite celebrity. Everyone. So don't worry about it. It's normal. 

So how do we make sure we're looking after ourselves in these unexpected circumstances and make sure that we aren't going stir crazy all cooped up inside like battery hens (Remember to buy free range folks!)

Manage your time effectively
So all of a sudden you aren't at school, you're being homeschooled, you can't go to see your friends and nothing's open. All because of something that you can't actually see. Crazy huh?

So now more than ever you've got to become efficient with your time management. This might well be the first time you're having to school yourself at home so it's all uncharted territory. But that's ok, everyone's in the same boat.

The most important thing is to get into a routine. Be that waking up and going to sleep at the same time each day (Keeping a healthy sleep schedule is important for productivity) or making sure you're keeping a variation of topics in your study, as well as your well deserved downtime. If you can, make a little to do list each morning so you know what you've got to work on each day.

If you like as well make a revision WhatsApp group (or other messaging service of choice) with friends where you tell each other your targets for the day. If you tell someone else what you plan to do it adds more accountability for doing it and may be a good way to keep yourself motivated.

Don't become obsessed with the news and your social media feed
Don't worry. I know as much as the next person how easy it is to fall down the rabbit hole of social media and, of course you're curious, so you're catching up on the news regarding the virus but just make sure you aren't over doing this.

If you are already feeling anxious about the situation then diving into the news and reading article after article won't be doing much good for your mental health. You'll start thinking of the worst scenarios and absorbing all the negative information much more and find yourself in a constant cycle of worrying.

Social media is just as bad with fake news, people's personal opinions and not to mention bonkers conspiracy theories (5G anyone?).

So make sure every now and again you're logging yourself off and detaching from the online world for a little while.

Keep connected
We've been hit with the new reality where we aren't able to go and see friends and family that we don't live with. This sucks, we know. There'll be particular days this will feel harder than others. We all have our wobble days.

However the beauty of technology means that all around the world people are finding ways to adapt to our temporary new normal and keep connected with one another.

Be that through group `Facetime, Houseparty or Zoom people are finding ways to keep connected with their friends and keeping their social life going. 

Musicians are also putting on gigs from their front rooms from their social media channels so keep checking on what your favourite bands and artists are doing to keep busy during lockdown to get a fun evening beamed straight into your living room. It's never been a better time to stay home.

Take some time to yourself.
If you are feeling anxious about everything going on, make sure you're not burning yourself out and working constantly. Make sure you're taking some time to do the things that you enjoy.

Use a reward system where for you doing an hour of revision, take half an hour to do something you enjoy. This might be catching up on a Netflix series, listening to music or playing a video game. If you're gonna be locked inside make sure it's at least enjoyable.

Keeping active is a great way to keep your mental health in check. Be that be with running (2m away from anyone else mind) or in house exercises or yoga sessions. You could also try apps such as Headspace or Companion to try and take some time out for yourself with meditation and self care.

AnxietyUK also gives the APPLE technique to use when your anxious as a distraction exercises and for mindfulness.

Acknowledge – Notice and acknowledge the uncertainty as it comes to mind.
Pause – Don’t react as you normally do. Don’t react at all. Just pause and breath.
Pull back – Tell yourself this is just the worry talking, and this apparent need for certainty is not helpful and not necessary. It is only a thought or feeling. Don’t believe everything you think. Thoughts are not statements or facts.
Let go – Let go of the thought or feeling. It will pass. You don’t have to respond to them. You might imagine them floating away in a bubble or cloud.
Explore – Explore the present moment, because right now, in this moment, all is well. Notice your breathing and the sensations of your breathing. Notice the ground beneath you. Look around and notice what you see, what you hear, what you can touch, what you can smell. Right now. Then shift your focus of attention to something else – on what you need to do, on what you were doing before you noticed the worry, or do something else – mindfully with your full attention.

If you want more advice and tips on living in the Covid age have a look at our daily minute motivations here that are uploaded to our Instagram account and subscribe to our youtube channel advice videos, and our monthly newsletter.

Author

ARON TENNANT is  the Talks and Editorial manager for Push. He is originally from South Yorkshire and has a BA in English Language and Literature from the University of Sheffield. He also has an MA in Creative Play and Screenwriting from City, University of London and came runner up in Nickelodeon's international screenwriting competition in 2018. Alongside Push he does screenplay work for independent production companies and is working on his own independent film projects