A Quick Guide To Surviving Lockdown 2.0

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As the UK is bracing for the second national lockdown, with many countries worldwide are going through similar restrictions, it’s time to take a deep breath and remember that we can get through this. It’s a tough time for everyone for different reasons. For those with chronic illnesses, the essence of not going out may not be very different to normal, but the difficulties with getting groceries, being overwhelmed by the news or struggling to get your medical care might be.

This collaborative post takes a look at a few suggestions to help you get through lockdown 2.0.

Lockdown Round 2

In the UK, the first lockdown was hard enough for many people, and now another one is here it’s no wonder we’re all scared, frustrated and on edge. We can get through this difficult time, but it’ll take a bit of work. Let’s take a look at how to survive lockdown 2.0.

Declutter Mentally & Physically

A tidy up can be good for the soul, and getting your physical space at home more organised and tidy might just help you to feel a little calmer mentally, too. It’s time to let go of what doesn’t serve you or what you don’t need, to let go of the things that are hurting you, and usher in the things that support your wellbeing.

Gather Your Essentials 

There’s absolutely no need to stockpile – remember what happened last time? Photos in the newspapers of elderly people unable to get the essentials because of selfish shoppers? Don’t do that. You can be about you and yours without hurting others. Just get what you need. Supermarkets aren’t closing, so you can get food once a week or as required just as you would usually. We’re already seeing supermarket shelves going bare, with loo rolls the victim yet again.

If you need prescriptions, place your orders now and make sure you’re able to collect them or have them delivered. If you need supplements online, purchase them now. Think you need more to keep you occupied, like books or games? Gather what you need.

Knowing you’ve got what you need for the time being might help ease a little anxiety. Don’t forget, it’s not forever, just the upcoming weeks. If you are shielding, try different online supermarkets at different times of the day to get a delivery slot. If you’re struggling to find anything and don’t have anyone nearby to help you, give the supermarket a call or speak to your local council to see what other help might be available.

Find A Way To Socialise 

You may be over the whole Zoom thing, but you still need to socialise. We probably all do in some way to some degree. We need human connection. Start a WhatsApp group, or schedule in catch ups on the phone with people you love. Try to check up on people you care about. They may be going through things you know nothing about. 

Drop someone an email or a text to let them know you’re thinking of that. Try a video chat with your relatives, or write a long email with photos. Forums, blogs and Facebook groups are all places to communicate, too.

Show Kindness

Now more than ever it’s a time of coming together – at a distance – and supporting one another. It can feel as though the world is splintering and the selfishness of many individuals lately makes us feel angry and disheartened, as though the goodness is being sucked out of the world. But that’s not true, and there’s a lot you can make a difference.

A small gesture, whether it’s an email to let someone know you’re thinking of them, a little gift in the post, offering to do some of their chores around the house, or picking up a neighbour’s groceries if you’re able to, can brighten someone’s day. Even a smile at a stranger can leave a lasting impression. It needn’t be a grand gesture. Sometimes the smallest, simplest of things make a big difference to another person.

Make Sure You’re Caring For Yourself 

Take the time for plenty of self care. Drink water. Cook meals. Take naps. Keep taking your medications. Find time for mindfulness and meditation. Do things you enjoy. Make time for peace and quiet. Find something to laugh at each day.

Look at added ways to support your mental and physical wellbeing. For example, things like cbd gummies can help with better managing anxiety or helping with sleep. Take regular supplements as needed, like Vitamin D, C, B and magnesium. Please speak to your doctor if you have any concerns or if you’re already taking other prescription medications.

Just make sure you do plenty of research and everything you do is with your health in mind. 

Do What You Need To Do

Just allow yourself to ‘be’. There can be so much pressure to be super productive and use this time to do a whole host of new things. Ignore the pressures and what others are doing.

You don’t need to learn a new language. If you’d rather spend hours lounging in the bath, or watching Netflix for 3 days straight, do it. Nobody is judging you. If they are judging you, don’t worry about it because they have their own lives they should be focusing on.

For some of us, rather than being bored we’ve found ourselves with more to do, more responsibilities to take on and more stresses. It can be frustrating to hear of others doing all these wonderful new things they never had time for, or moaning about being bored. Just focus on what you’re doing and what you need in order to better manage life right now.

We just need to get through this – we don’t need to come out of it as different, smarter, richer or more productive people.

Indulge In Distractions

Distractions can be great for both chronic pain and stress, so if you’re feeling overwhelmed then find something to occupy your mind and sooth your frazzled nerves. Distractions can be anything from breathing exercises, listening to music & being with a pet, to focusing on an art project, reading and playing games.

Try Journaling 

Journaling can be a great way to understand yourself better and notice patterns in your feelings. Many people are put off journaling because they think they have to write a neat, cohesive story every day. You don’t. Write a page one day and a sentence the next. It doesn’t even need to make sense, and you don’t need to read it back. There are many journaling techniques that could suit you. 

Try To Keep Some Routine To Your Days

Getting out of your usual routine is to be expected, and fine. Don’t get up at 6am if you don’t have to or want to! However, do try to get up at the same time each day. Don’t stay up all night just because you can if you think it’s not going to do you any favours the next day.

When we lose structure in our days it can be harder to motivate ourselves or stay on top of the things we need to do, including self-care. Some routine can be beneficial to your mental and physical well-being, not to mention your sense of meaning and achievement.

When it comes to the latter, start celebrating every accomplishment, big or small, without comparing them to what other people are doing right now. It’s easy to feel you’ve not done enough, but if you look a little harder you’ll probably find you’ve various things to be proud of.

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If you’re struggling, please reach out. Speak to a friend or loved one, offline or online. Speak to your GP or call a mental health crisis line. A list of telephone numbers, along with mental health freebies like free meditation apps and colouring pages, can be found here.

We will get through this. Focus on what you need to do to keep well, and look out for one another.

Related Reading :

• What’s The Link Between Vitamin D & Coronavirus?
• Floradix Magnesium Review
• 10 Chronic Pain & Stress Distractions

[ This is a collaborative post & as such the ideas expressed here are that of the author ]