Staying sane in lockdown 2.0

I’m not sure about everyone else but my approach to this lockdown has been drastically different to the last. This time I knew that the working from home novelty would wear off fast and Netflix can’t produce content quick enough for my binges. 

Like most others I saw the stats and made some significant adjustments at the start of September that have massively helped as lockdown 2.0 loomed.

I’ve stopped drinking alcohol. I imagine this will be a temporary thing but Monday marks 11 weeks since I last had a drink. Those who know me well know that I was a regular at after work drinks and one of the first to crack open the beers during our Friday round up. The benefits of stopping have been numerous, I’m spending less, losing weight, sleeping and feeling so much better. Alcohol has been proven to increase anxiety and depression and cutting out even for a short period of time will make a difference. I used this new change as an opportunity to raise ￡1,085 for McMillan Cancer Support through #GoSoberforOctober. 

I’ve started running. The only time I’d run since PE was out the door and to the pub on a Friday. I started running with Couch to 5k. I’ve completed the programme this week and can’t believe I can run over 5k and actually enjoy it. I do this first thing in the morning which makes me feel in the right frame of mind for the day. I read somewhere that exercise is natures anti-depressant. I’d tuned out over the years when anyone mentioned this but I’ve become one of those people. Trust me. It works!

I’ve kept a routine. I’ve somehow managed to train myself to be a morning person. Going to bed at 10pm and getting up at 6am. Keeping a regular bed time means that while I’ve not set an alarm for two weeks I’m going to sleep and waking up at the same time every day. I’ve discovered that I am far more productive in the morning which has changed the way that I am working. Scrolling through Instagram at 11pm is a help to no one. It also means that I am getting the most daylight that’s available as we move into the winter months which helps massively with mood.

I’ve kept that Friday feeling. Who doesn’t love a Friday? It’s so easy for the days to blur into one and not see a huge amount of difference from the bedroom on a Monday to the living room on a Friday. I’ve make sure that weekends are filled with good food and long walks. It’s still important to switch off from work so unless it’s really important my work laptop goes away on a Friday until Monday. It’s better to start the week as you usually would – refreshed and focused.

I’ve seen this lockdown as more of a challenge to adapt to a new normal. Ensuring that we keep good mental health is just as important as our physical health during this tough time. Committing to making one or two changes can make all the difference in altering your perspective on the world around you. I’ve found that making the changes on what I can control has helped me deal much better with the things I can’t.