With Boris Johnson’s announcement on Monday, it’s now confirmed that England is going back into lockdown for four weeks on Thursday 5th November.
This doesn’t apply to Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, please check your government’s pages for updates if you don’t live in England.
The main difference between this lockdown and the last is that we all now have a slightly better idea of what to expect.
With that in mind, here are our top tips and suggestions for how to stay in a good mental space during the next four weeks.
Lockdown can be a lonely time if you’re not prepared. Make use of messaging apps like WhatsApp where you can talk or have video calls with your loved ones. If technology isn’t your thing, you don’t need to use a fancy app, a simple phone call can work wonders or even a letter sent through the post can brighten someone’s day.
Read our article on how to keep spirits high at home and stay connected while social distancing for more tips and suggestions to help.
If you feel like you have no one to talk to, Age UK run a telephone befriending service that you may find useful. It’s a service that connects you with another person for a friendly chat when you need it.
Last time lockdown happened, we dived into our kitchens to bake and cook the day away. Cooking can feel quite meditative and so can take your mind off the day’s events. If you’ve been furloughed or aren’t working at the moment, it’s a prime time to try out new recipes that may take a little longer to make and cook than your usual fare.
Read our article to find out the perfect products to help you stay safe and independent in the kitchen.
If you’re on furlough or not working, it’s a good idea to try and keep some kind of structure in your day. Even if that’s just around when you eat and when you sleep. It adds a semblance of balance and gives you something to focus on if you feel overwhelmed.
While you don’t need to plan or account for every waking moment, having a basic routine means you are always able to focus on the next step.
Exercise can be a great well to improve your mood and outlook – often the hardest part is making yourself do it! Not only can it help keep your spirits up, but it also helps keep you in good shape.
At a loss of what exercises to try? Read our top exercise tips to help keep you moving at home for some suggestions.
You’re not alone. Even if you feel like you have no family or friends who you can talk to there are services that are there to help you. This is an unusual time to be living through and there’s no shame in needing help.
It can also help to write down how you’re feeling. The act of getting thoughts down on paper can help stop them whirling round your head. You may also want to try writing down three things that you’re grateful for each day, as this can help focus your thoughts on the positive and not on the negatives.
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