This Week’s Thrive In Five is 5 Tips For Wellbeing During Lockdown 2
Now I’m recording this two days after Boris Johnson made his latest announcement about lockdown 2, which will be kicking in about three days time. Whilst necessary to stop the spread of the coronavirus we know lockdown is not going to be a good thing. It’s catastrophic for the economy, it’s not great for people’s mental health or financial health or general wellbeing. But I always try and look at the positives in any given situation. There are five things that we can think about and build into our days, that will make perhaps the lockdown experience a little bit more palatable.
Tip 1 For Wellbeing During Lockdown 2 – Learn a New Skill
Now, the first thing is to learn a new skill. Having something else to focus on can be really helpful. It may be that you’ve got a little bit more time as well, usually, the social calendar gets really stripped down as a result of lockdown. It certainly did for us during the last lockdown.
I’m brushing up and learning some new survival skills. Some of you will know I’m a Bear Grills survival instructor. I’ve also been learning the guitar. I’ve been teaching myself a lot about the property business because that’s an area of real interest for me. That has really helped to keep my brain sharp and give me something else to focus on that isn’t all about the lockdown situation.
Tip 2 For Wellbeing During Lockdown 2 – Declutter
Point number two is about decluttering, now you’ve got a little bit more time on your hands. We can get quite a bit of dopamine. Dopamine is known as the feel-good neurotransmitter—a chemical that ferries information between neurons. The brain releases it, contributing to feelings of pleasure and satisfaction as part of the reward system. So we feel good when we do things like decluttering.
It’s a good opportunity to get in the loft, get in the cupboards, clear stuff out you don’t need, bin it, recycle it, reuse it, give it away or sell it online. Get rid of that stuff, make some space. Feel a little bit freer, and get some nice dopamine.
Tip 3 For Wellbeing During Lockdown 2 – Connection
Point number three is about connection. Really take this opportunity to reconnect with somebody who you’ve not seen for a while. An old colleague, an old friend, a family member that you’ve fallen out of touch with. Connect or reconnect with them.
It can make us feel really good and certainly can significantly help the way that people might feel.
Tip 4 For Wellbeing During Lockdown 2 – Get Outside
Point number four is getting outside. I talk a lot about hormones and neurotransmitters, because they make us feel good. They’re a stable element of wellbeing and mental health.
Now when we get outside and we get exposed to natural light, something called serotonin produced, which is important for a few things, but certainly as a mood regulator. So getting outdoors, getting lots of nice serotonin will only make us feel better.
Getting outside also opens up our world a bit. Your world can become very small in these prohibitive circumstances, in a way that we aren’t very used to. We have already done three months of lockdown, so we are more prepared for Lockdown 2 and we know what to expect. Your world will become smaller, as it becomes your bedroom or your flat or your house. So get outside making it a little broader. We are allowed to do that with the current restrictions, and I strongly urge you to do so.
Tip 5 For Wellbeing During Lockdown 2- Movement
Last, but not least, tip five is to really try and move every 60 minutes. Yes, I did say move every hour! Whether it’s doing a little movement snack, like 10 reps of an exercise or some squats. Or going up and down your stairs a couple of times. It could be something more significant. I’m not advocating doing a structured exercise session every hour, but suggesting you incorporate some sort of movement, little and often is really good every hour.
One of the things that it will do, apart from energising you, it gives you a nice dose of dopamine, of oxytocin, potentially serotonin, endorphins. What we call a dose of happiness or a dose of wellbeing.
Movement is absolutely key. If you only did one of these things, make it movement. I honestly think that will be the most impactful tip for your wellbeing during lockdown 2.
These are our 5 tips for wellbeing during lockdown 2. Take on all of them, take on just one of them, but do something as a positive to try and get you through this in the best possible shape. As always, if you need anything from me, do not hesitate to ask, stay healthy and all the best for now.
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