Hi everyone, I thought that I would share some tips with you to help you with getting through self-isolation or lockdown.
Develop a positive mindset
If you can develop a positive mindset it consequently makes challenges like this much easier to bear. We may feel powerless, due to the situation, but there is something that we can do. We can learn to control the way we react. Consequently, our reaction, if positive, will help us to feel better about being in self-isolation/lockdown. We need to remember that we are in this situation together. Acceptance is the key to this. We need to accept that the situation is real. Furthermore, there is little we can do about it other than following the guidelines as much as we can). A positive mindset will enable us to appreciate that there is light at the end of the tunnel. We will appreciate that the situation will pass. Certainly, dwelling on a situation only makes you feel worse; being optimistic about the future will help you to feel better.
Make the most of self-isolation or lockdown
The current situation may give you the opportunity to get around to those jobs in the house that you never get around to. This is sorting out the spare room in my case! Think about how you can adapt what you normally do. For example, can you do things online that you would normally do face-to-face? I am planning some online events instead of face-to-face events, for example.
Learn a new skill or hobby during self-isolation or lockdown
There is a lot of information online that can help you with learning a new skill or taking up a new hobby. This could be doing something like knitting, sewing, crafting, tracing your ancestry, etc. Use the time creatively and you may find that you start to enjoy the new skill or hobby that you have taken up. You may wish to continue with it going forward. It is a great time for people (like me) to try to switch off from our usually busy lives and start appreciating the simple things in life. It is these things that we don’t always notice when we are so busy. Mindfulness will help with this as it is great for helping us to manage our anxiety and switch off from what is happening in the world. Yoga and exercise will help us to focus on something else, also.
Communication is key during self-isolation or lockdown
You can communicate with others (not in your household) by phone or via an online platform. It is good to talk – don’t sit in isolation dwelling on things that you cannot change. Chat to the people that you would normally see regularly. Try chatting to those people that you have been meaning to get in touch with for a while, but you have been too busy. Now is the time! Remember, the old saying ‘A problem shared is a problem halved’. You may be hesitating about phoning an old friend whom you have not been in touch with for a while. It is likely that they will be really pleased to hear from you. Both of you may benefit from getting in touch again. This is a great time for communication!
Retain a sense of humour!
Another old saying goes ‘Laughter is the best medicine’ and I think that there is a lot of truth in this. Laughter makes us feel better, so why not re-watch some of your favourite comedy shows? This will make you feel much better than you would if you watched the 24-hour news channel at the current time!
The above post is adapted from a recent one I wrote at the request of Podio Magazine, whom I volunteer for. https://podiomagazine.com/
I will be posting more tips to help you on a regular basis over the next few months.
Please find further tips here: https://jlconsultancy.org/more-help-to-get-you-through-self-isolation-or-lockdown/