- TAKE BREAKS THROUGHOUT THE DAY
Make sure you plan some break time in your lockdown routine. Set your alarm or time yourself for each activity you do. Give yourself a time limit to cleaning the house each day, home schooling (or directed learning activities) for your children. Use your break time to stretch, enjoy a cup of tea, another chapter of your book, or give your dog/ cat a cuddle. Taking breaks throughout your day can boost your creativity and passion, refresh your attention span and concentration, and keep your eyes happy and healthy. Try not to spend all your day on the computer, phone or TV.
Be wary of heading to the pantry or refrigerator too often during your break. Too many breaks that include too many snacks could result in too many extra kilos!
2. KEEP A REGULAR BEDTIME AND WAKE UP ROUTINE
In the age of Netflix, Stan, Binge, etc, there’s no need to stay up late to watch your favourite shows. Even if you have to wait until the children have gone to bed to watch something not suitable for them, the next episode will still be there tomorrow night. Binging shows is easy but not good for you. Plus, it’s so upsetting when you’ve finally seen every episode and become lost for what to watch next. While we are in lockdown, make a routine that fits into your ‘normal’ routine so when lockdown is over, the transition will be easier.
Set your morning alarm and make a plan for your day just as you would any other weekday. Get up, get dressed, do your hair and make up (if this is normal for you). Be your best self, even if no one but your children and dog will see you.
3. MOVE YOUR BODY
I know, we get told this all the time, but mostly to make sure we look after our bodies. During lockdown, going for a walk or a bike ride is one of the little luxuries we have and can be good for our minds as well. We are very lucky to be living in the Hunter Valley, where we can go for a walk without being crowded on the footpath, but at the same time pass friendly people who say, “Good morning/afternoon” or pass neighbours that we don’t often see when we’re living our busy lives. Take the time to hear and see the birds around you. There are lots of corellas, black cockatoos, kookaburras and rosellas around. Make up different routes and checkout the houses or greenspaces around you. Is someone renovating? Walking past the same houses sometimes can mean watching the progress of someone’s new fence, new pool, or even the flowers in their garden that are starting to bloom.
4. STAY CONNECTED
For those who have fully embraced technology this can be easy. While mostly, I mean the generations who were born since the 1990’s, others may need help to access video conferencing technology like facetime, messenger, zoom, snapchat. A family zoom gathering may take some time to get everyone on, but well worth it.
Videos and photos of grandchildren just doing their normal thing at home can seem boring to parents but mean the world to grandparents who miss seeing them.
If the technology just isn’t happening for you (although you’ve managed to read this blog!), there’s always the phone and the post. Ring someone to check how they’re going. Post some photos or children’s artwork in the mail. Do what you can to stay connected with friends and family. It will help you and may help them as well.
5. TAKE SOME ‘ME’ AND/OR ‘WE’ TIME
Develop a new skin care regime, give yourself a home manicure, enjoy a bubble bath with or without wine), try out a new recipe, learn a new skill or craft, buy yourself a small treat like fresh flowers, a nice candle, a magazine, do a jigsaw puzzle, play a game of Scrabble or Monopoly with your partner, have that candlelit lunch/dinner.
“Self-care is not an indulgence, it is self-preservation” Audre Lorde
6. BE GRATEFUL
Now is the perfect time to start a gratitude journal. It’s an opportunity to think of all the positives about our lives instead of focusing on the negatives. We still live in the “Lucky Country” despite sometimes feeling overly controlled. I wouldn’t like to be in Afghanistan at the moment or in a third world country that has no medical support for people with COVID. If you have a roof over your head, food in your kitchen, the support of friends and family, then you have something to be grateful for.
If you have some other ideas that support wellbeing, please leave a comment.
Women's Shed Branxton 