Here we are again, another lockdown. Not the start we were all hoping for going into 2021, but it's important to remain positive nevertheless. We all thought this would be a more normal year, with more freedom, more memories, and more joy. But, instead, almost a year later, we are still stuck indoors, with just as strict rules as before as infections continue to rise across the whole of the UK.
We are currently living in a world where many us feel trapped and cornered. Our mental health is declining as we think we have no control over our own lives. When will this be over, and when it is, how will we recover?
This pandemic, the doubt, the in and out of lockdown, is traumatic. Many do not realise how much we are mentally affected by the constant uncertainty and anxieties that come with COVID-19.
Our lives have been flipped upside down. Many of us cannot work; jobs are lost and it is increasingly difficult to provide for our families. Schools are closed, we are working from home, while trying to support and teach our children. Young adults miss out on their education, leading up to exams that are taking place one minute, and then cancelled the next. This, although not a car crash is nonetheless traumatic.
But, what isn't OK is the need to occupy yourself and the so-called "hustle culture" that has seeped into society over the last few years. The need to be productive 24/7. The need to be the greatest at a new hobby or skill, or be totally present for your children all of the time. Learn to take a step back; learn to give yourself just five minutes of peace. Have time that is your time.
If you're struggling mentally, a great way to learn to explore your emotions and understand what is happening within you is seeing a counsellor. While we're unable to attend face to face counselling sessions, counsellors are offering online sessions which are flexible and easy to participate in.
The more we bury those negative and confusing feelings, the more powerful they will be when they decide to show themselves. And if you make the mistake of burying them deeply so they never surface again, beware they may manifest in other ways, such as more physical symptoms (headaches, stomach aches, anxiety attacks etc.).
But let's take a step back for a moment. What is in your control?
Tips to help you feel in control
Make a list of all the things you do have control over when you're feeling overwhelmed and out of control. These could be little, everyday things such as when you shower or what you eat or they may be more significant things such as your working hours or your finances.
Where possible, keep to a schedule or a routine. This may be a slightly different routine to normal, but you can create a "lockdown routine" that ensures you some normality - get up at a set time each day, eat your evening meal at a set time, take a walk at lunch etc.
The above point leads nicely onto the next point; make sure you regularly get outdoors for fresh air. I know it's hard when it's this cold outside, but fresh air and Vitamin D directly impact our mental health.
Add a few small luxuries into your day that you truly enjoy. It could be baking or cooking, journaling, sports, watching an episode of your favourite TV show, or having a coffee and people watching from your window.
Be kind to yourself - you're living through a pandemic.
