TOP TIPS FOR COPING IN LOCKDOWN

I thought I would share some easy coping mechanisms and ideas to keep your self busy during Lockdown in England or if you're Self-Isolating.

JOB AND MONEY WORRIES:

I must be honest when covid-19 first came on the scene (no I didn't mean for that rhyme) I was very Naive in my thinking, I thought that it would never really get to us, I suppose karma is a wonderful thing! Then obviously the first lockdown hit. I was actually still a temporary member of staff at my current job and, although I had been accepted for a permanent position, it did cross my mind that due to the pandemic my job may be at risk, however, I was fortunate to be kept on.

I know that covid-19 has affected a lot of jobs, so I thought I'd mention a few places that may be worth looking at if you have faced redundancy due to the Pandemic. (I can only speak from my own experience and my own knowledge):

Council Jobs.

Your local council may be looking for additional staff, particularly Temporary staff. Now I know this doesn't solve the massive problem of getting into permanent employment, however, there are some benefits for looking into temporary employment such as a quick interview and introduction process.

Widen your Radius.
I'd also suggest looking maybe further afield than your normal radius, as many teams are offering working from home at the moment which can sometimes mean that you can go for a little bit further from your home than you usually would,

A Side Hustle.

Obviously, this isn't going to fix the big problem, but it may help you along the way and it will also help keep your mind busy and will help your development. This is especially good if you're a crafty person in this current situation, as individuals have taken to places like Etsy, eBay and Amazon to look for crafted gifts for the loved one during the festive season. again these are all just ideas to try and help you.

KEEPING ENTERTAINED:

The other thing I found myself struggling with was that I’m quite a fidgety person when it comes to the weekend, I like to be doing something or going out and about. So I’ve found it extremely difficult staying in, but I did find a few things on my mind busy, such as cooking (a lot), with more time I could explore new recipes and dishes I haven’t tried before, which made it much more fun instead of a chore.

OLD GAMES:

Digging out old gaming consoles from the loft and playing some childhood favourites. I’d forgotten how good the Nintendo Wii was, so when I found a load of old Mario games in the cupboard our Sunday afternoons were sorted!

It doesn’t have to be a video game either, maybe there is an old game board you used with your siblings over, pull it out and challenge someone within your bubble. We started a card tournament, a bowl of crisps, a couple of drinks and you’re in for a good night without leaving the house!

KEEPING ACTIVE:

I also went out on a lot of long walks around my local woods or even just the area/neighbouring roads. This actually helped a lot with gaining some clarity for my headspace, getting away from a screen and distracting myself from the boredom.

Another thing I found beneficial was keeping active as much as I could. It would help me feel as though I had achieved something or done at least one thing that day.

Here are some ideas to get you started: shadow boxing/ boxing with pads - this is a great way to get some anger out while also getting active and getting my heart rate up. I have done a video on boxing combinations if you would like to give it a go, take a look below:

Another option I’ve already mentioned above is going out for a push or a walk whatever your preference or capability is. Fresh air and easy cardio without being too intense!

Lastly, there is also the option of weights or a resistance programme. Now I know what you're thinking- “that requires a lot of equipment”, while it can mean this, it can also give you the opportunity to get creative. Use whatever you have around the house as a weight or as some form of resistance - bottles of liquid or bags filled with shoes or clothes.

I know this may seem like a very random blog post, I understand that these suggestions may not work for everyone one, but I do hope that if anything this sparks a few ideas on how to keep yourself going during lockdown. I would also like to extend the invitation to everyone, that if you are really struggling in regards to mental health or just need someone take your mind off things, feel free message on Instagram and I will do my best to support you.