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Whether you are working from home during the lockdown or have the time to yourself, it is incredibly important to look after your health, both physical and mental. Coronavirus has affected all aspects of our lives, and the constant news articles on social media can seem overwhelming. Therefore, we’ve collected some of the best tips on how to make sure you are still taking care of yourself in these stressful times.
- Turn it off
You might find yourself with more time on your hands than normal and it is very tempting to constantly refresh Facebook or news websites. Especially now that we are coming to what we’re all hoping is the end of the lockdown restrictions, we can’t wait to read some positive news. We are all guilty of refreshing endlessly, and sometimes we do it simply out of boredom. However, taking some time to consciously step away from social media and the news can be really helpful for your mental well-being. To take it a step further: don’t swap Facebook for Netflix but take some time away from all screens. Read a book, take a walk, or get creative. Take the time to get back to some of your hobbies you might not have time for in your normal routine!
- Go outside
The new government regulations allow you to leave the house for one form of exercise a day, so make sure you make use of this! Use your lunch hour to enjoy the spring sunshine and take a walk around your neighbourhood or go for a run (making sure you keep to social-distancing rules). Alternatively, open those patio doors and head into the garden for some at-home exercise and fresh air. A lot of certified fitness instructors are giving away free classes at the moment, so if you want to follow along to a class make use of these freebies! You’ll find this is a great boost to your mental and physical well-being.
Or use the fresh air to take up gardening and prepare your garden for summer. Working in the garden is known for reducing stress and is a great way to get some fresh air. Read one of our latest blogs on how to prepare your garden for spring here.
- Stick to your routine & get enough sleep
During these unpredictable times, it is normal to feel stressed. And while your regular routine might have gone out the window the moment the lockdown restrictions were introduced, sticking to some form of your routine can be extremely beneficial. Have lunch and dinner at the same time every day, for example, and go to bed at the time you would normally do. It is tempting to stay up later if you don’t have to get up for that early commute but going to bed every night will help you stay in that routine and prevent mood dips and heightened anxiety. Plus it’ll be good to stay in your normal routine for when we do finally get to go back to the office!
- Give yourself a break
If you are having a hard time doing anything at the moment, that is ok too. Don’t beat yourself up over it. This is a traumatic time for us all, and everyone will deal with it in their own way. Social media makes it seem like everyone is taking the time to learn a new skill or pick up a new hobby, but if you don’t have the energy or motivation to do that, don’t force it!
Want to use your extra time to start looking for your next property? Or perhaps you want to get ready to put your house on the market? Get in touch with our team of property experts today to discuss how we can help you. Our team is available via 0121 362 7878 every day from 8am – 8pm or drop us a message via enquiries@astonknowles.com
Sources:
Patient – COVID-19: how to look after your mental health during coronavirus lockdown
Thrive Global – Use These Tips to Practice Self Care During Lockdown
