It's a weird time for everyone. With all this self-isolation and social distancing can make it hard to feel normal and can be even tougher on your mental health.
To make this a little easier we’ve put together a few ways you can make yourself feel a lot calmer in isolation.
Clear up your Social Media
You’re probably spending a lot more time scrolling through Instagram, but have you ever wondered how this can affect your mental health?
Try unfollowing accounts that make you feel anxious, worried or even angry and replace them with some that promote good vibes and positive thinking. Trust us, you’ll thank us later.
Take a break from the news
With all the constant updates directly to your phone and coverage on tv from morning to night, it can be hard to switch off. You might even feel guilty for doing so.
However, checking the news constantly can actually increase your anxiety and cause paranoia. So if you notice this is having a negative impact on your mental health. Try limiting how often you check the news.
Practice Mindfulness
As much as we love our families, we are not used to spending 24 hours a day locked up in the same house, which can make you all a little irritable.
Practicing a few mindfulness techniques a day such as meditation, breathing techniques or yoga can help you relax and take a step back from it all. There are currently lots of free apps and even Instagram or Facebook lives on practicing mindfulness at home, which can be done with the whole family to restore a sense of calm and peace at home.
Keep a healthy diet
When you’re at home it can be tempting to sit on the sofa all day snacking and eating an unbalanced diet. Whilst that’s fine for a day or two, after that you will really notice a change in your mood and energy levels which can ultimately affect your mental health.
Try and make sure you are drinking plenty of water and getting your five a day, we know it’s tricky with limited shopping trips allowed, but just do the best you can your body will thank you for it.
Plan your day
When your normal routine us disrupted it causes your body distress, which can really impact your mood and productivity.
To fight this, take some time each day to write down how you want to spend your day. This will give you a sense of order and normality. Decide on your new routine and make sure you build in time to do things you enjoy.
Call a friend
Everyone is feeling a little uneasy right now, so make sure you check in on your friends and family. This will not only break up your day but brighten someone else’s too.
Read a book or listen to an audiobook
Taking a break from your screens (and the people in your house) is so important. So reading or listening to a book can help you escape.
Why not re-read one of your favorites, ask friends for recommendations, or even take a peek at some more of our Mindful Minutes.
