so what are my tips?
Firstly, Stay Positive, I know its easier said than done in these uncertain times but a good mindset helps your overall wellbeing and mood. If you have a negative mindset, you can fall into the trap of being depressed and unhappy, this is not the approach you should have in self-isolation.
Moreover, keeping a routine and structure to your day. Even if you are working from home or maybe not working at all, a daily routine is so important because you can soon slip into a laid-back and lazy lifestyle. So, still set your alarm for the time you would usually get up for work like normal, structure your day and try and keep it similar day to day. Also, go to bed at the same time you would usually do.
If you are living with other people, try to respect each other's privacy and give each other space. For example, some people might want to discuss everything they’re doing while others won’t.
Stay in touch with friends and family, a good tool to use is Facetime because you can see people face to face and enjoy talking to them. This will help to avoid feeling low and lonely.
Try to keep yourself busy. Trying activities such as cooking, reading, online learning and watching films.
Exercise if you feel well, only once a day remember. Get as much sunshine, fresh air, and nature as you can. There is nothing fresh air cannot cure! Go on a walk, get out in the countryside but please be careful and keep your social distance. Bringing nature into your everyday life can benefit both your mental and physical wellbeing. It can improve your mood, reduce feelings of stress or anger, and make you feel more relaxed.
Eat well and stay hydrated. Your appetite might change with your routine. Eating regularly and keeping your blood sugar stable can help your mood and energy levels. Drinking enough water is important for your mental and physical health.
Have a spring clean/ clearout! Take advantage of any extra time you have by having a clearout in your home, sorting room by room working your way through the house. Or an alternative is you could also have a digital clear out. Delete any old files and apps you don’t use, upgrade your software, update all your passwords or clear out your inboxes.
Take this time to take up a new hobby or discover your new creative self! This could be anything from art, writing, music, etc. Maybe watch youtube videos to help you learn more.
The most important and last point is please try and support small businesses in this pandemic! Whether this is doing some online shopping or if premises are open, visiting and buying some produce from small farm shops/ food stores. These are very uncertain times for a lot of businesses and people, so therefore we all have to pull together and support each other.
On a more important note:
if you live alone and you have symptoms of coronavirus illness (COVID-19), however mild, stay at home for 7 days from when your symptoms started.
if you live with others and you are the first in the household to have symptoms of coronavirus, then you must stay at home for 7 days, but all other household members who remain well must stay at home and not leave the house for 14 days. The 14-day period starts from the day when the first person in the house became ill
for anyone else in the household who starts displaying symptoms, they need to stay at home for 7 days from when the symptoms appeared, regardless of what day they are on in the original 14-day isolation period.
Call NHS 111 if you are in any way concerned you might have this virus.
P.S. Heres a checklist, I found from mind.org.uk
Food: do you have a way to get food delivered if you need to self-isolate?
Work: can you carry on working, including working from home? If not, can you find out your rights to payment or benefits?
Medication: do you have enough medication or a way to get more?
Health: can you reorganise any planned therapy or treatments?
Connectivity: have you got ways to keep in contact with people you see regularly- mobile numbers etc?
Routine: can you create a routine or timetable for yourself? And if you live with other people, should you create a household schedule? Do you need to agree on how the household will run with everyone at home all day?
Exercise: is there any physical activity you can do inside your home, like going up and down the stairs, using bean tins as weights, or exercises you can do in your chair?
Nature: have you thought about how you can bring nature into your home? Can you get some seeds and planting equipment delivered, or put up photos of green spaces?
Entertainment: have you thought about things to do, books to read or TV shows to watch?
Relax: have you got materials so you can do something creative, such as pencils and paper?
I hope you found this blog post beneficial, stay safe and healthy! From H x
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