Five tips for managing your mental health and wellbeing during the new lockdown

As we enter the third national lockdown, many of us are wondering how we can keep our mental health in check.

Quite rightfully, you might find yourself worried about your finances, the health of you or your loved ones, or generally feeling anxious, bored or lonely. 

It’s important to remember you’re not alone during this time and many people are feeling the same. 

There are a number of things you can do to help keep on top of your mental wellbeing and cope with the next chunk of time in which we’re stuck inside. 

If you are struggling to cope and need to chat to someone you can text shout to 85258 and speak to a trained volunteer. If you need urgent support visit here. Whatever you are going through, you don’t need to face it alone! 

Your daily routine

While things have changed and your normal daily routine has been disrupted it’s good to put a new one in place. Writing a plan for your week and preparing to-do lists each day can not only help you feel like you’ve accomplished things and you get the satisfaction of ticking things off, but it can also help you engage in new activities such as reading, baking or meditation. 

Connect with others

Remember you can meet one other person who’s not in your household or bubble outside while maintaining social distancing. For those you can’t see in person, consider calling them, chatting on Facetime or Zoom, or over social media. 

You can also text shout on 85258 or use the ‘check in and chat’ service from the NHS, call 0808 196 3646 (8am to 8pm) or visit the website here.

There’s even a new podcast platform, Stereo App, where you can chat live to podcast hosts through voice notes! 

Exercise

It can be quite annoying when people tell you to exercise when you feel down, but moving your body and looking after your physical wellbeing does have a huge impact on your emotional wellbeing.

Things like drinking enough water, eating well-balanced meals and healthy nutritious food all help your physical wellbeing. 

You can try short 10-minute workouts from Public Health England or longer home workouts on NHS Fitness Studio. There are workouts to get your heart rate up, calming and stretchy yoga workouts plus plenty of strength and resistance training too.

Remember you can also exercise outdoors daily! 

Sleep

A good night’s sleep will have a massive benefit on how you are feeling! A wide and varied list of factors impact your quality of sleep, and you can find practical advise on how to improve your sleep on the Every Mind Matters page.

Tips include cutting screen time before bed, reducing caffeine intake and creating a calming environment!

Hobbies

Whether you want to do your favourite hobby or try something new, doing things you love can boost all the happy hormones in your body and should make you feel better. 

Other tips

It’s also good to keep your mind active, take time out to relax, and even bring nature inside if you can’t get outside. 

If you are struggling with drugs or alcohol during this period you can visit NHS Smokefree for help on quitting cigarettes, Down Your Drink to help cut back on alcohol and Marijuana Anonymous to reduce your intake.  

If you need guidance on financial issues or your job see here. 

If you need any further advice check out this NHS page for more handy tips, or the government guidance here – remember, you’re not alone out there, and it’s okay to not be okay!