It came as no surprise when Boris Johnson made his announcement at the weekend that the nation was going to be put back into lockdown this week. We all seen it coming, yet that does not mean that we are any less concerned than when the first lockdown was put into place.
There are definitely some mixed feelings out there in regards to the lockdown. Some people are not phased by this, maybe they enjoy their own company, maybe they live with their loved ones or good friends, maybe it does not change a lot of aspects of their life. Other people may feel anxious about the lockdown, maybe the first lockdown had a negative impact on their life, maybe they are out of work again and struggling financially, maybe they have just reconnected with loved ones or friends and are now unable to see them again.
Whatever your feelings are about the situation, you are entitled to feel them. Whether you are happy and calm, or anxious and frustrated, this is okay, this is a normal and justifiable response.
There are some things that you can do to make the lockdown a little bit easier!
Stay In Touch:
It is important not to lose touch with those that you care about. It is also important to understand that they might have a lot going on in their lives during the pandemic and may not be themselves…don’t hold this against them, be there for them as much as possible, let them know that you support them and that you are only a phone call away.
If you are struggling, open up to someone you trust, bottling things up can make you feel much worse. There will always be people willing to listen to your story.
As I am sure you are all aware, we are unable to see people in person again. Therefore keeping in touch requires phone calls, text messages, video calls, emails or letters!
If you wanted to, you could host a virtual quiz night via video call or maybe even a movie night! I know it is not the same as doing it in person, but it is still fun and it is nice to see the faces of those we love, in person or not!
Writing letters is also fun, yes it may take a little bit more effort than sending a text, but they encourage creativity. You can decorate the letter and the envelope however you like and you can include little gifts or surprises which is also nice! It can also be quite uplifting when the post arrives and there is a personalised letter waiting for you on the mat.
Joining social media groups can also be a good way of keeping in touch with people. When the first lockdown took place, I found a group on Facebook called ‘Rock the Lockdown’ where people would share their musical talents. The group became very popular and it was nice to see so many people supporting each other and building each other up! Sometimes online communities can really lift your spirits.
However you choose to communicate with friends and family during this time, just remember that we all need a little extra love and support during these uncertain times; so check in more often with one another and truly listen to each other.
Extra Self-Care:
Self-care is always important, now so more than ever. Being in lockdown is effecting people in various ways. Be sure to take care of yourself, mentally and physically! Pick up a new hobby or re-visit and old one, try and dedicate an hour each day to this hobby and unwind.
If you are no longer working due to the pandemic, it can be easy to slip into a basic routine of staying in your PJ’s and curling up on the couch all day. We all need days like that sometimes but it is important that we do not fall into a pattern of doing this each and every day. Instead, try and stick to a routine, still go to bed at a reasonable time and get up at the same time each morning. Get dressed each day, even if you are not going anywhere; this makes you feel more awake and more productive. It is important to remember that self-care also includes our physical health; so why not try and do some home workouts! Working out for 10-20 minutes each day can make you feel good; as it releases endorphins in the brain, making us feel happier.
Shopping:
I cannot stress this enough… please DO NOT panic buy! There is no need to buy ten times the amount of food and household essentials; superstores and convenient stores are not going anywhere. If you panic buy it only makes things more difficult for others in need and also on the staff in the store. By all means buy extra’s to last you a little longer so that you do not need to leave the house as much, but be reasonable! We are all in the exact same situation, so we should be looking out for one another and not being selfish by over buying. Imagine those elderly, vulnerable individuals, getting to the store to find that there is nothing left for them. You would not be happy if it was you missing out, or one of your vulnerable loved ones, so please do not play a part in putting others in this situation.
Most importantly, please be kind to one another! Stay safe and Have Hope Always!
Aimee xo
