This has been a very difficult time for most people. Uncertainty and the unknown shake our most basic life structure, we lose routine and we end up feeling confused and lost. Right now, nobody seems immune to the ‘collective anxiety’ that has been taking over our society in the last few weeks.
If we let ourselves get sucked into all the stress, if we don’t focus on what can be done right now, if we don’t create a healthy mindset, we are in danger of freaking out and losing touch with the things that are really important in our lives.
Many people fear ‘they’ll go crazy’ by being stuck at home. So these are the things I would suggest:
Exercise
When we connect with our bodies, we give a break to our minds. We ‘get out of our heads’ a little, and that can feel great. Not only that, but physical activities lift our moods and help us to see things in different ways.
There are many online resources that offer thousands, millions of different exercise classes. All from the comfort of your home. From yoga to weight lifting, martial arts to dancing. It’s all there. No excuses.
Personal space
Being in a house with your children and partners doesn’t mean that you need to stay together the whole time. You will need balance. Make sure you are constantly creating some privacy and quiet moments, along the day. We all need our private time and space, every single day. That doesn’t mean we don’t love them. It’s exactly because we love them, that some distance is necessary. Especially with all the tension and anxiety in the air at the moment.
Be creative. Be arty. Make a mess
When was the last time you drew a picture, wrote a short story, a poem, made a puzzle, made a mess with clay? If ever? When was the last time you played like a kid? This is your chance. You don’t need to show it to anyone. It doesn’t need to be good, or perfect. Switch off your mind and expectations and do something fun. Put words on the paper, let your creativity run wild and free. You might like it. And you might even discover new or old talents that you didn’t even know you had.
Meditation
Despite much misunderstanding, meditation isn’t about ‘emptying your mind of thoughts’. We are humans, we have thoughts. Also, we don’t need to be ‘enlightened’ or sitting on the top of a mountain, legs crossed, watching the sunset, for that. No. What we need is 5 or 10 minutes of our day. To sit quietly and practice to quiet down our mind for a little. And many people think that is it.
In fact, those 5-10 minutes are just the daily practice. But the real benefit comes when, in difficulties and uncertainties, or when bad stuff happens in our daily life, we are then able to take a step back. We are then able to pause, to have a better view, a better perspective of the whole situation. Without an immediate reaction, without getting pulled by other people’s emotions or by unexpected events.
You will feel generally calmer and much more in control of your own feelings and thoughts.
There are many Meditation apps available, to guide you and help you in your daily practice.
Catch up with old friends (Phone or Online)
What a better time than now to contact all those friends you never have time to speak to. They might have more time now too. Or friends who live abroad, or those you only exchange a text every so often. Now it’s a good time to reconnect, to bring back those good memories and have a laugh together.
Declutter and donate things to charity
‘Less is more’. This will be great for yourself and for the community. We all have too much unnecessary stuff around us, we keep too many things we don’t really use or need. It’s a good time to simplify, to reduce. Time to notice and value what really matter to us. At the same time, you might help many others who truly need those things. This is a great exercise of ‘letting go’ of old things and creating space for new things in life.
Look out for your neighbours
This has been one of the most noticeable and touching experience in such difficult time. An opportunity to reconnect with our community. There are many older and vulnerable people who won’t be able to do their normal daily tasks. Although we are told not to physically interact with others, you can run to the shops for them, have a quick chat over the phone, or just check if they are ok. They will feel grateful and seen, and you will feel part of a much bigger community. We are all together in this.
Learn something new
Have you always wanted to learn a new language, or play an instrument, or build something from scratch? Have you wanted to learn to cook new dishes, or study History of Art, or listen to more music? Now is the time. You can even set some slots in your week for that, as if you were going to classes in person. There are many online courses on offer, and lots of them are good and free. Worth trying them. You might even end up with new qualifications or new paths to follow after all this finishes.
There are even tours of museums on offer now. Or access to concerts of famous orchestras. There’s a whole universe out there to be discovered. I’m sure you will find exactly the thing that is meaningful to you and your personal interests.
Rest/sleep/take naps. Do nothing sometimes
So simple, yeah? But easier said than done. I know so many people who are sleep deprived. There are so many demands in our lives, so many things to do: work, family, social life etc. that sleep becomes shorter and shorter. And that is a huge mistake. Sleep is as important as water and food in our lives. So, at this moment, give yourself permission to rest, to recharge, to recover.
It’s a good time to replenish your ‘fuel supply’. Fill it up with many good nights’ sleep, plenty of breaks and rest. And, if you are feeling really brave and adventurous, why not even try a nap during the day? Your body and mind will thank you for that. Your mood will change and your outlook of this whole this situation might gradually change too.
Think of it as a ‘one day at a time’ thing
Lots of people are panicking because they think they will be stuck at home for months. That thought causes a lot of anxiety. For parents with children, the thought of dealing with school activities and learning, and feeding and entertaining the whole family for months can be daunting. For the ones who live alone, the thought of being isolated and lonely can be heartbreaking.
The truth is… We don’t know how long this will last.
So, I urge you, please think ‘I will work from home THIS week’. And try to visualise that week ahead, make some plans, decide how you’ll organise your days. For one week.. Then rethink again next week.
If one week is too much for your mind, think of ‘today’. ‘I will work from home today’ and try to structure that day ahead.
‘One day at a time’, ‘one week at a time’ doesn’t feel as overwhelming or scary as the thought of months ahead. It’s incredible how a small change of mindset can really affect our mood and spirits.
Reach out for help. Speak to someone
How do you feel when you help someone else? You feel good, yes? Right. So remember that people will be happy to help you too.
If you are feeing anxious, stressed out or lonely, let it out. Talk about it. Sometimes all you need to do is express your concerns, share your thoughts and fears. Verbalise it, don’t keep it all to yourself, don’t suffer alone. It can be with a friend or a family member. If not, talk to a professional, this is why we are here for. Counsellors and therapists can be a great help in moment of difficulties and crisis. Just reach out.
Take this as an opportunity to revalue your life
Moments of crisis and difficulties can feel overwhelming. But they can also become opportunities for growth and reflection. ‘What is really important in my life?’, ‘Do I need all this stuff?’, ‘Can I live a simpler life?’, ‘Am I able to live with less?’ And the questions go on.
If you truly open up for reflection, you might learn a lot about yourself and rethink your true needs. You might realise that you have – and do - much more than you need in life.
Most importantly:
Be kind. Be generous.
Keep calm. Keep positive. Keep well.
We are all together in this.