Keeping Mentally Well During Lockdown

If you’ve been in lockdown for an extended period of time, or you’re still in lockdown, how are you coping? Here in Sydney, we’re about to embark on our ninth week, a drop in a puddle compared with some countries (and Victoria), but the longest we’ve seen in our state of New South Wales. Regardless of the length, the need to physically isolate ourselves from each other, can impact our mental health. Humans are social beings, we’re wired to connect.

There are a lot of articles about how coronavirus lockdown restrictions impact mental health and how to look after yourself during this time. As someone who is prone to feeling anxious and overwhelmed, here are some of the things I’ve found have helped me:

Establish a routine

A routine keeps us anchored and can relieve the mental load resulting from uncertainty. We might not know what is going to happen in relation to COVID restrictions but we know what we are doing day-to-day.

As much as possible I’ve tried to maintain my routine. Hubby and I are lucky that we’re both able to work from home and I’m grateful that the exercise classes I attend have continued online. I have more time now that I’m no longer “commuting” but that’s quickly been filled up with household chores, care services for Hubby’s Mum, and the administrative tasks that come from running a business under ever-changing COVID restrictions.

Although routines are, just that, routine there is a danger of them becoming mundane, a feeling that you’re in a rut. Be flexible and open to changes (for example, enjoy that unexpected phone call that disrupted your routine) and find ways to keep things fresh (maybe, try a different activity or start a new hobby).

Move

If I wanted to I could spend the whole day in front of a screen, and sometimes, I end up doing just that. But this can lead to tired, dry eyes and a stiff, achey body. If I’m working I find that my focus diminishes, I’m easily distracted and I’m not as productive.

Regular physical activity can help improve and maintain our physical fitness, manage health conditions, boost our energy and improve our mood.[1] The important thing is to find an activity that you enjoy. It might not be yoga, it might be walking or a sport or something else. Under our current lockdown restrictions, we're allowed one hour of exercise. Why not take that opportunity to ‘escape’ from home, get a change of scenery, and move?

Lacking motivation? Pay for classes, find a buddy to exercise with either online or in-person, schedule the time into your routine. I prefer the social interaction I get when I attend classes online but there are lots of free videos online, including the “Stay Home” series of accessible yoga classes that I’m currently posting.

Rest

What do you think of when you think of ‘resting’? Having a cuppa? Watching TV? Sleeping?

To me, rest is more than that. It's a state where the body and mind are both relaxed and quiet. Rest lets us completely recover from our physical and mental activities; it can help reduce stress and improve sleep. [2]

Relaxation and meditation practices can help relax the mind. Breath-linked practices like yoga asana, tai chi, qigong can help relax the body and calm the mind. But I think, to truly rest, you have to do nothing. And that's hard!

Most days I try to find time for a relaxation or meditation practice. When I can, I attend the Yoga Australia guided meditations (running every weekday morning during lockdown and available as recordings for those unable to attend) or choose a meditation on the Insight Timer app. If I really need the rest, I’ll set myself up in a Restorative Yoga posture (using blankets and cushions to ensure I’m really comfortable), minimise all those sensory inputs, set my timer, and do nothing!

Connect with others

Social connection, the feeling of being connected to others, is increasingly seen as a core human need. [3] This need might differ from person to person but we all need to feel connected to some extent.

I currently live online: I attend and teach classes online, catch up with friends online, interact with people through social media. But I also speak to friends and family on the phone, and I even wrote a letter (not an e-mail) to an elderly relative. My connections to family, friends, and community help me through the low days.

What connections do you value? Is there a friend or family member you haven’t spoken to in a while? Why not give them a call or send them an email? It might just make their day and yours!

Get in touch with Nature

“[studies show] Nature is not only nice to have, but it's a have-to-have for physical health and cognitive functions.”
— Richard Louv [4]

Nature has always grounded me and I’ve been getting outside as much as possible, especially now as the days get longer and warmer. I particularly love my ‘awe walks’ [5] where, armed with a camera, I try to view the world as if I’m seeing it for the first time. I have discovered so many hidden delights in our neighbourhood.

What if it’s not a pleasant day outside? I might find a warm, sunny corner in which to work or treat myself to a bunch of flowers, something colourful and bright.

This article[6] even suggests yoga and painting as ways to get in touch with the natural world.

Be kind to yourself

At times, that little voice inside my head can be quite critical and discouraging. Is yours like that?

Christine Carter’s TED talk, The 1-minute secret to forming a new habit advises perfectionists like me to not try and do everything and just take things one minuscule step at a time. Life will always be full of ups and downs, the good days and the bad. And despite all the advice, all the tools and techniques, there will be days where staying in bed might be the best thing in the world.

It’s at times like this that reaching out to a close friend or relative might be just the pick-me-up you need. And if you don’t feel comfortable confiding in friends and relatives, these organisations can help:

Further information

I’m sure there are many other things that I could be doing to remain healthy during the lockdown. Personally, as long as I’m feeling positive and mentally strong, everything else just seems to fall into place.

While writing this post, I came across the following articles:

I also discovered that Beyond Blue has resources dedicated to supporting people through the coronavirus pandemic. If you’re interested, see coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au.

References

References accessed 22 August, 2021.

  1. Exercise: 7 benefits of regular physical activity, Mayo clinic
  2. Resting vs Sleeping, Sleep.org
  3. Social Connection, Wikipedia
  4. Ecopsychology: How Immersion in Nature Benefits Your Health, Jim Robbins, Yale Environment 360
  5. What are “Awe Walks”?, Bryan E Robinson, Psychology Today
  6. 10 Ways to Get in Touch with the Natural World, Carlo Alcos, Matador Network
Personal practice, General interestDeb @ LaiLin Yogalockdown, health, practice, COVID-19, coronavirus, mental health