I know that this is a challenging time for us all. Therefore, I thought that I would give you more help to get through self-isolation or lockdown.
Notice and replace your negative thoughts
Often we can make ourselves feel worse by negative thinking. Start to notice when you are thinking negative thoughts and start to change them around. This will make you feel better. For example, instead of thinking “I wish things were back to normal”, you could think “I can use the current situation to work on my personal development (or whatever you wish to improve on/do).
Start eating healthier meals during the lockdown
Start eating healthier meals. I think that this is something that is actually easier to do due to restaurants/pubs being shut. Brush up on your cooking skills. You don’t have to follow set recipes; you can adapt them if you are missing any of the ingredients. Alternatively, you can make your own recipes up using items from your cupboard. For example, I am using this current situation as an incentive for me to use up things in my cupboard that I have had in for ages. Tins of food often last a long time. I am finding I am starting to appreciate food more and enjoying finding items that I had bought in ages ago and that I hadn’t used.
Use the internet wisely during lockdown and self-isolation
Use the internet wisely. Look for things that will make you feel better. Perhaps check out some YouTube channels and follow your interests? You can find videos on everything on YouTube. Perhaps even look at creating your own YouTube channel?
Become a phone befriender and help others with self-isolation
I think that it is a great idea to become a phone befriender to someone who is also self-isolating or even just supporting a friend or relative in this position). This is something that will help both you and them.
Don’t forget your daily exercise during the lockdown
There has been some great footage online and on TV about free online exercise classes and video clips of people dancing in their living rooms. If you enjoy exercise and/or dancing don’t use the current situation as a reason to stop. Exercise will make you feel better. Even if you are self-isolating on your own, why not put on your favourite music and have a dance about? You may feel a little silly at first, but who cares? Nobody is watching (unless you decide to film it and share it of course!
I edited this blog from an article that I wrote for Podio Preston magazine recently. Please also see my previous blog post on this subject: https://jlconsultancy.org/getting-through-self-isolation-or-lock-down/ Please feel free to contact me if you need more help to get you through self-isolation or lockdown.