Having a hard time in lockdown? Out of toilet paper? We can help with only one of those problems.
Now that the coronavirus has spread to everywhere in the whole planet (except for Antarctica), it has caused government globally to shutdown services and restrict citizens to their homes in hopes to combat the virus infected too many people at once. As humans we need to have space, exercise and be outside in order to maintain physical and mental health; however in these times it can be hard to do so. Welcome to this guide.
Tip number 1: Create a routine
For many people, a sense of normality or routine can be very good for mental health. This is because it creates a feeling of security and makes the ‘unknown’ feel less overwhelming. This tip is useful in general even for when there isn't a pandemic that threatens you and your family's well being, however, during this time it is especially useful because there is lots of uncertainty and a routine will help to establish a sense of normality. Normally, things such as school provide a routine and keep you busy for most of the day; although now that most schools have switched to online lessons, there is still a bit less structure and more empty time. It is recommended that when you wake up you should do what you normally do:
Get out of bed at your normal weekday time - don’t be lazy and sleep until 8:30 and be late for registration!
Have a shower - showers are effective at helping you wake up and providing a sense of clarity.
Eat a healthy breakfast - Since you are going to be sitting around your house for most of the day it's important to maintain a good diet.
Tip no 2: Exercise
Humans are meant to be active and so being confined to a house is not only physically unhealthy but also mentally. Luckily, the gracious overlords at the government have allowed people to go outside for exercise once every day. You should make use of this as exercise has been proven to immensely improve mental health and put people in a good mood.
Additionally, just stepping outside into a garden, out of a window, or front door to get fresh air (even though in London it may not be that fresh) can be good for you. If you are focusing on a computer all day it can increase your chances of eye strain, headaches, all that stuff. Just getting off your device for a few minutes can help reduce these. Luckily all lessons are now 10 minutes shorter which means you will be able to take a break from your computer, it is recommended to have a healthy snack such as fruit, have some water (when you drink water it makes your blood more runny and can reduce chances of headaches), or go to the toilet (if you have any toilet paper left)
Tip #3: Productivity & being social
Although being socially active and also productive may seem like contrasting ideas, they can both have an immense effect on making you feel more happy and content.
Human beings are social animals, it is in our nature to talk and be with other people. Now although the government has advised social distancing, which you should do as it is vital for suppressing this epidemic, we are lucky to live in a time where we can communicate with friends online (and school online). You should make an effort to talk with friends whether it be playing a game together or just talking; social activity has a massive effect on our mood and contentedness)
Secondly, being productive is also extremely beneficial. We need to feel like we have a purpose or are doing something significant, and the best way to do this is to actually do something important for ourselves. Making use of every day by learning a new skill (or practicing a skill) will make you feel more content with life in lockdown.
Conclusion
To conclude, taking these steps are all very important in making sure you are both happy in lockdown and making use of your time. By following these steps you can greatly increase your mental and physical health and have a more positive outlook in lockdown. Thank you for reading and good luck on the toilet paper conquest (and your education)!!
