A month ago, our Prime Minister told us to stay at home.
The COVID19 pandemic has seized the world. Entire countries have been in lockdown for months. Businesses have been shuttered, workers sent home & all of our lives have been put into some kind of surreal stasis.
Over the past month in the UK, we have seen our NHS staff hailed as heroes, vast swathes of support for all our keyworkers & we have had out hearts captured by Captain Tom Moore, who at time of going to press had raised over £27M for NHS charities.
The COVID19 pandemic has changed us forever. A recent poll of UK citizens found that only 9% of those questioned, ever want the UK to return to whatever we were like before, with many thousands of people seeing vast positives in amongst the heavy weight of the COVID19 crisis.
One aspect of our lives which has many people reflecting upon, is the ability & time the crisis has given many of us to reflect, to pause, to consider what is important.
At a time when movement is restricted, we are all making do with the necessities of life rather than the frivolities & millions of us are wading our way through the murky waters of the COVID19 crisis; being mindful & keeping our mental health in check is imperative.
With this in mind, Virtually Smart Ltd have prepared some ideas to help you be more mindful during the lockdown.
Note: Virtually Smart Ltd do not profess to be mental health specialists.
Be thankful diary or blog
Despite everything seeming to be monumentally stressful & days slip into each other seamlessly, one way to remain mindful, to remain in the moment, is to create a mindfulness thankful diary or blog.
Every day find some time to write down at least three things you are thankful for. It could be your own health, the sunshine, the spring flowers, the laughter of a loved one, a kind message from a friend or the hope a Thursday evening applause gives you.
Through even the darkest days, there are always things to be thankful for, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant.
Walking
We are all encouraged to take exercise every day during the lockdown. This can not only keep our physical health in check, but also our mental health.
Going for a walk & changing the walls of your home for the outdoors, gives your brain a different perspective to focus on.
While you are walking, take time to observe the world around you. Look up in the sky, look at the trees changing colour, the flowers blooming, or the colour of buildings. If you choose to walk the same route for a few days, being mindful of how the environment changes, even over a few days; can really help reduce your stress levels & enable you brain to create positive memories for you to focus on once you have returned home.
Listen as you walk. Notice the sounds around you, maybe the birds singing, the few vehicles as they pass, the sounds of other people & remain present with these sounds, being mindful all the time of the different sounds surrounding you & how they make you feel
Breathing
When anxiety takes its grip, it can be difficult to regulate breathing. However, now more than ever, being mindful of your breathing can really help reduce stress levels & bring you back to yourself.
During your day, find some time to breathe. Sit or stand quietly & breathe in through your nose & out through your mouth three or four times.
Take notice of your breath, be present & mindful of how it makes you feel. You should notice that if you include this activity a few times during your day, that this simple breathing exercise can help bring your stress & anxiety levels down & help you re-focus.
Written by Katy-Jane for & on behalf of Virtually Smart Ltd.
