Displaying items by tag: help

How do you look after yourself during lockdown? Below we have some great tips which have been summarised to help your physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing.

We are all still able to go out, and walk in nature which is great for our physical and mental wellbeing. If you are a parent and home schooling, you may be finding it even more difficult to have time for yourself. Or you may find that you are sat zooming all day long. So how do you look after yourself at this time?

It can be useful for some people to have a routine. When you first get up you may like to take some deep breaths before you even get out of bed. I know this helps me immensely to prepare for the day ahead. Using affirmations such as I am relaxed, I am content can help. Even if you are feeling far from it when you tell your mind you are feeling a certain way it can help. Writing down maybe 3 things you want to achieve in the day such as taking a shower, going for a walk, eating a healthy meal. These sound really basic but there is no need to put pressure on yourself if you are currently struggling with the basics such as getting dressed.

Chatting with like minded individuals who lift your spirits can also help. Often when we become aware of certain truths we may feel lonely and isolated, as if we are the only ones who know what is going on. Friends and family may think you have lost the plot or going crazy, which is why it is useful to find others of similar mind.

Meditation can be useful as you remove yourself from all distractions, TV, phones and any other external noise. There are some great apps that can be downloaded on your phone such as Headspace and YouTube also have some great meditations to listen to if you have never meditated before. We have attached some useful meditations for you if you would like to use these.

Diet. I know the temptation to gorge on food and winter comforts is high. I have done this myself and didn’t actually realise I had put on much weight as I have been living in my leggings most of the year! As we have more time at home it is a great time to cook nutritious and healthy meals for ourselves.

Exercise. Dancing has become a favourite pastime of mine! Turn up the tunes on the radio, create your own playlist and have a disco in your house. Dancing is not only great exercise but also makes you feel awesome, it takes me back to my twenties and clubbing days! There are some guys running online dance groups online which you can join in or do it yourself. Walking is a great form of exercise. Yoga can be done with the fabulous Yoga with Adriene on YouTube which is free and easy enough to start with for beginners. No difficult awkward stretches but great for getting into a routine. I do this with my kids climbing over and under me so if you have little ones this is something you can incorporate into your day. Note sometimes I do have to stop as my kids are fighting, but hey, that’s life.

Get creative! How do you express your creativity? Maybe you play music or write it. Maybe you have always wanted to write a book? Poetry? Art or drawing. Maybe it is photography? Utilise your time to express yourself. If you have kids sit down with them when they are painting and join in. Resist the urge to wash the dishes. If you don’t have kids try different things, what did you enjoy as a kid and want to explore again?

Singing. I LOVE this one! Singing in the car at the top of my voice makes me feel like a) I have a great voice and b) if I am feeling a bit pent up it is a great way of releasing tension. Again, there are online choirs you can join if you feel drawn to.

Reading. Have a selection of books that inspire you and maybe teach you something you want to learn?

Learn a skill such as carpentry, sewing, whittling, how to build a fire, something that may be useful going forward.

Healing. There are so many healers and therapists out there who are available via distance to support you with your emotional being as well as in person. Whether you are trying to quit smoking or struggling with insomnia. Maybe you know you need something but not sure what. There are a plethora of healing modalities out there. To name a few, Reiki, Acupuncture, EMDR therapy, Aromatherapy, Homeopathy, Shamanic Healing. The list is endless.

Overall, there are many things you can do to support and help yourself with your emotional wellbeing. With everything that is going on reaching out and asking for help is a really brave thing to do.

If you feel you need help these are some resources at your disposal:

• Samaritans 116 123
• IDAS York ( For women going through domestic abuse) North York and Barnsley 03000 110 110