Lockdown Wellbeing

A comprehensive guide to getting through lockdown 3.0

The current spread of coronavirus across the UK is reminiscent of the Australian wildfires ravaging the outback landscape about this time last year. It’s no wonder, the ‘frustrating and alarming’ (thanks Boris) rate at which the virus is spreading has entered us into our third national lockdown (thanks again, Boris).

Being inside the majority of winter through grey days and dark nights may leave you feeling as if you’re the main character in a Nordic noir, minus the enigmatic suspenseful drama and more 17 empty mugs on your desk and pushing the ‘smart casual’ Zoom meeting outfit to the upper limits.

Whatever may be said about the government response to coronavirus, there is currently nothing you or I can do aside from abide by the rules. What you can do, is attempt to make the best of a difficult situation, control the controllables and accept what you can’t.

This is a collection of pointers that worked for me throughout the first lockdown, and the period of inbetweenness that followed.

1. Be productive with your time when working from home

I know, perhaps the most obvious point of all. I would argue that most people think being productive means being busy 100% of the time. But there is a marked difference between being ‘busy’ and being ‘productive’. If you are productive, you’re more likely to finish your workday feeling fulfilled and accomplished, less stressed and more in control, which is important considering you completely lack control over your external environment during lockdown.

Tips for being productive

Create a clear, achievable plan. It can be as broad or loose as suits. If you work with purpose, you will rest with purpose.

Understand how you work best and be honest about it. (Honest being the operative word here). What works for you, are you likely to procrastinate? Will something else get in the way? Staying attuned to my own way of working made me able to understand how to maximise my output.

Work towards a goal. And if you aren’t sure of how your working day will pan out, stick to a routine/structure as best you can. I found laying down a few consistent ground rules like, lunch at X time, 5 minute breaks when required were helpful. As your home is your personal space, extra effort is needed to structure and separate work and downtime.

2. This lockdown is during winter, the weather, darker nights and shorter days can have a negative impact on your mental health.

As each lockdown has progressed, social isolation and disconnection has prevailed. Zoom drinks will never be as good. Ever.

The experience of loneliness can be greatly exacerbated by low mood conditions like ‘Seasonal Affective Disorder’, and generalised anxiety. This, in conjunction with anxiety-inducing news reels, Facebook warriors and pictures of global civil unrest acts like a petrol-drenched cloth to the flame of anxiety.

Anxiety is complex and individual, but is often characterised by a lack of knowledge or control surrounding certain situations. We have experienced marked changes to our ‘normal’ routines for approximately 10 months now, so it is extremely important to look after yourself in this time of uncertainty.

Stay active, and try to get outside at least once a day when it’s light. It’s not always feasible, but you will feel better for it, trust me.

Block out some time each day with no phones/screens/news/social media to clear your mind. Think ‘doomscrolling’. Our phones are the most efficient avenue to quick updates, but these avenues are fraught with things geared to capture our attention which most often leave us feeling worse about ourselves, or the current state of affairs.

Take time for yourself. Dedicate some time each day to doing something you enjoy. I don’t mean you must convince yourself a 40 minute home workout is a productive way of bringing you happiness, but simply just do something you enjoy every day.

3. Be kind to yourself

Easier said than done. Remind yourself…

To not internalise failure. Not achieving something does not signify weakness or poor effort. See it as a data rich opportunity to understand what went wrong. I think of this as a spectrum, being kind enough to yourself to implement that structure and stick to it, but allowing yourself to move on if it didn’t happen.

To stay connected to others. Now I know I slated Zoom drinks, and they do often feel like a pointless task, but they do maintain a semblance of normality. The longest study on ‘happiness’ in the world, The Harvard Study of Adult Development determined that staying connected and constructing long-lasting relationships with others is one of the determining factors in authentic happiness. It’s a shame it took a global pandemic for me to truly understand that, but I try and implement this finding into my daily life.

Most importantly: You are a human being living through a global pandemic who is trying their best. It is an overwhelming (but temporary) situation, but you survived the last lockdown and you will survive this one too.