As we have entered Lockdown 2, I thought I would share my tips on how I feel it best to make the experience more bearable and improve wellbeing.
- Exercise – I know the morning and nights are darker but why not go out for a good long stroll at lunchtime and enjoy any sunshine and the beauty of Autumn.
- Cooking – I have my slow cooker and soup maker out and you cannot beat a nice chicken stew with dumplings or a roasted vegetable soup. Eating well and healthily is important and you can be creative as well.
- Reading – I think sometimes it is easy just to switch on the television and switch off the brain and before you know it the night has gone. I like to read instead sometimes and can lose myself in autobiographies, novels, or good self-improvement books.
- Gardening – I am not the biggest fan of gardening, but this is a good time of year to tidy and prepare for next year whilst getting out of the house, listening to the sounds of nature and also catching up with your neighbours.
- Friends and Family – I on the most part live alone (daddy at weekends) so whether that is calling, texting, or using social media I like to ensure that I participate in other people lives. Now is a great time to ask if somebody is ok.
- Colleagues – Keep in touch with your work colleagues and make sure you catch up for a chat or even compete against each other on PopMaster!
- Create memories – I love planning weekend fun and even in lockdown times there are still many things to do. A particular favourite of mine is walking with my son to our nearby woods and exploring and climbing the trees or throwing stones into the stream and rivers. I take as many photos as possible and love looking back over the years and seeing the fun we have had.
- Laugh – It can be easy to feel a bit trapped by the situation or the weather, but laughter is the best form of medicine. Watching a good comedy, reading a funny book and even a favourite in the Yardy household, hide and seek. To hear my son giggling away whilst hiding brings me out into a beaming smile.
Remember do things you find enjoyable, break up your day and if you feel down or unhappy, talk to someone!
