Working During Lockdown

As we are going through another lockdown it’s even more important to look after your mental health and physical wellbeing.

This time it’s tougher. We’re going into Winter. The nights are drawing in, there are fewer daylight hours. The weather isn't as good and there are few opportunities to get outside and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine.

Here are a few tips to keep you sane and positive:

Take breaks. Make sure you take regular breaks throughout the day. A few minutes away from your desk or away from the computer every hour or so. Use apps like FocusBooster or FocusKeeper or even the timer on your phone, to help you stay focused. Also to let you know when it's time to take a break. When you work from home it's too easy to keep on working.

Get out into the fresh air. There are some glorious sunny days in Autumn and Winter, so make the most of them. Recent studies have shown the benefits of even a short 10 minute break in, around and with nature for calming and de-stressing.

Have your coffee or tea break out in the garden, if you're lucky enough to have your own small, green space. Wrap up warm, put on your walking boots and take a walk during your lunch break. Find a local park or garden where you can connect with nature. Take time out to stop, look and listen. Even if it's raining - brave it (there's no such thing as bad weather just inappropriate clothing). Spend a few minutes nature-watching through your window.

Keep up the exercise and activity. In the first lockdown many classes went online. People discovered the benefit of having time to exercise, now they weren't spending time commuting. They also took the opportunity to try something new. I managed to slot in a couple of Joe Wicks sessions!

I’ve been doing online classes since my regular group classes were cancelled. I was getting enough fresh air and exercise over the Summer, out in the garden. Now I’m back into a Autumn weekly routine of Cardiobox, PiYo and HITT sessions.

Relax and de-stress - download a meditation or online yoga app to help build a few quiet moments into the start or end of your day. Especially if you're concerned or worried about what's going on around us at the moment.

If you’ve been following me for a while, you’ll know I’m a big fan of yoga. It builds strength and flexibility and is great to counteract the effects of spending all day seated in front of your computer. Even a few minutes of ham-string stretches, hip openers and mobility will improve your posture and release built-up tension.

Eat healthy. It's easy to reach for comfort food, snack on chips and chocolate, or the raid the fridge when working from home. It’s not going to be great for your health or your waistline. It's even more tempting when we feel stressed to reach for food as a comfort. Possibly you've put on a few lockdown pounds as we've been less active.

Make sure you stock up on healthy snack options too, replacing some (but not all of your treats). Perhaps having more time at home has given you the opportunity to cook and prepare fresh meals. Create a menu for the week, so you can shop more selectively, especially if you're shopping less often. Food boxes are doing well in delivering healthy options direct to your door.

Stay social. It’s been difficult not being able to visit or meet up with friends and family face to face. That doesn’t mean you can’t maintain connections or even reconnect. By now, most of us are used to online video calls whether it’s for work or personal use.

Chat with friends online using Zoom, Skype, FaceTime or WhatsApp. Arrange Quiz sessions, cocktail hours, coffee and chat, share virtual meals, movie nights or your favourite box set. Send messages, phone them up or even send a hand-written note or letter. Check in regularly with friends and family, especially anyone you know might be struggling.