(This picture was taken pre pandemic)
I think this is a v important one- and something that’s particularly important during this time when we don’t know when things will be ‘normal’ again. This is just a few tips to help you stay mentally positive during this time.
*I am not a medical professional. If you have any medical problems or issues- contact one of the links below*
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/mental-health-helplines/
1)Create a routine for your day
Not having face to face stuff for uni + not having social events can make it very hard to create a routine for your day. I mean last year a typical day for me would be going to a lecture, coming home, napping, working, going to polo, and going out. Obviously all of those things don’t really happen anymore, so it’s really important to create a routine for you day to ensure that you’re getting out of the flat and getting outside. I think its fair to say that if I didn’t make myself go and swim/exercise/go for a walk I would have some days where I just wouldn’t leave the flat- and that’s really not good for me mentally.
2)Lean on your friends
The silver lining of this pandemic is that everyone is going through it. Everyone has had to sacrifice things and everyone is struggling with their mental health on another level that they’ve not experienced before. And truthfully it’s really really hard. But this is why we have to lean on each other, support eachother- make that effort to meet people for walks and coffee and just be there for eachother. Its so so important. Especially make an effort to message people/ring people who are isolating. They’ve got it the toughest.
3)Reward yourself
This has actually really worked for me. If I have a day where I wake up hating corona and feeling v stressed and overwhelmed by the situation, I say to myself- Okay ette, finish this Essay, and then you can watch an episode of something. Work really hard today- and then you can order takeaway with your flatmates. Just little things that can actually really give you a boost are so so important during a time where we don’t have many social things to look forward to.
4)Accept that not every day will be productive
This is something I struggled with in particular actually- because I’m v used to having v productive, full days and I struggled to accept that some days you just won’t be feeling it. But its true. On some days you might just need a self care day- where you don’t look at that essay you’ve got to finish, and you don’t finish that lab report. And that’s really okay. Take the day and start afresh tomorrow.
5)Try not to get into bad habits
It can be very tempting to watch Netflix all day, eat junk and sleep. V easy to do- trust me. But its so important not to.
I love podcasts. So sometimes, rather than stay in and watch Netflix, I’ll go on a walk and listen to a podcast. Its very fulfilling and very calming.
Equally, I love yoga. Starting the day with ten minutes of yoga is the most mindful satisfying thing and I would really recommend it.
Whatever it is that you’re bad with whether it’s watching Netflix or scrolling through social media, try to limit it during this time. It will just make you feel worse.
6)Get Dressed daily
This sounds so silly. But its something that I really noticed helped. I got into a habit of putting on v comfy joggers every single day. But realistically this can make you feel v unattractive, v low, and v tired.
It sometimes really helps me therefore when I’m having a bad day to get properly dressed (Eg, jeans ect) put on a bit of makeup, and pretend that the day is more normal. Trust me, it helps.
7)Accept that this is the new normal, and adapt accordingly
This is a really tricky one. But I think its one that needs to be addressed and accepted. This pandemic is not going away and you can’t hibernate until it’s over. You have to live your life to the full; you owe it to all the people out there who haven’t survived this. If I can do it- we all can.
This is a really awful time. But we’re in it together.x
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