Want to improve the way you feel quickly? Riding the wave of the Covid-19 situation has been tough on us all so I though I’d put some tips together on what’s worked for me.
Endless scrolling on social media doesn’t help either – I’ve tried that. Unless it’s really funny memes and reels.
Things that have helped during lockdowns include:
- exercise – a run or some HIIT at home via a YouTube or IGTV video
- healthier eating, less crisps (snacking has been a major issue for me)
- a productive work set up
- getting outside in the fresh air whether it’s raining or shining -like a walk or run
- calling a friend or family
- self-care – a pampering session, a bath
- putting a nice top or lipstick on.
- Kitchen parties on a friday night
- cooking
- play with a pet
- Doing something nice for someone else – prepare a quiz or buy someone flowers
Healthy Gut Healthy Mind
Nutritionists always say, ‘you are what you eat‘. And they are 100% right.
- Aim for organic vegetables and fruit where possible. I buy organic frozen berries to add to porridge.
- Eat LESS sugar. Swap processed, unrefined sugar for cacao or organic honey or stevia or xylitol if you need it.
- Aim for less processed food. When I’ve eaten crisps or pizza or a takeaway or had a few drinks I do feel rubbish the next day if I’ve been eating healthy all week. My mind can feel a a bit like brain foggy. I think – why did I do that to myself?
- Preparing food in advance.
This has REALLY helped me to stop reaching for the snacks when I fancy something. - Make a nutritious dish – like a vegetable soup or a 1 tray bake of roasted veggies with an organic salmon (north atlantic if possible)
- Less gluten, wheat, dairy, monosodium glutamate. If I’ve consumed gluten, dairy, been exposed to lots of fragrance, or have a large intake of sugar, it can take days me days to recover and feel back on good form again. Eliminating this from my diet has been a huge benefit.
Be outside – for air or exercise
– The sun and fresh air is a great healer.
– Grounding in the morning is great.
Touching the earth or sand with your bare feet. If you can’t get to a beach, the garden grass will do. Even better if there’s dew on the grass.
I have a grounding mat which I use either for standing on, or use as a mouse mat (I place my keyboard and mouse on it) to get grounding throughout the day.
– Aim for 20-30 minutes a day even if it’s going for a brisk walk or quick run.
– I do a few yoga stretches first thing to get my body moving. Or do a couple of planks to strengthen the core.
– After a 15 min HIIT workout I do feel great. Out of breathe and invigorated. It’s an effort getting changed and putting the mat down and getting the video up on my phone and just starting it, but taking that first step to just do it (thanks Nike) really helps.
Combining the calming yoga with the invigorating workouts is a good balance for me.
Drink more water
– Aim for 1.5 to 2 litres a day if possible.
– Tip: buying a water filter on Amazon has helped me because the water tastes a lot nicer and I’ll drink more than tap water.
– Our body is approximately 60% water. I wasn’t nearly drinking enough daily, I’m better at staying more hydated.
– First thing in the morning I’ll drink a full glass of water before having my cup of tea. Non-negotiable.
– Going a step further – I use a copper bottle to hold my filtered water in – it’s an ayurvedic one.
Amazing as we don’t get much copper in our bodies so water from a copper cup or bottle provides beneficial nutrients.
Mindfulness
- I’m more aware of my thoughts. Being more aware of what my mind is telling me has had the most profound effect. Tell your mind to be kind about you. Get it to say nice positive, helpful things – because what you think is what you become. You’re welcome 🙂
- Gratitude. First thing in the morning with a glass of water I take out my notebook and a pen and write down things to be grateful for today and some ‘I am’ statements e.g. “I am healthy”
- Thoughts are not you. They are just thoughts that come and go. The best thing we can do for ourselves is re-train the brain to think positive and have kind thoughts. (see above)
For every one negative thought or worry, think of five things to be grateful for instead – your mind will thank you for it. - When problems happen – write them down. A written down problem is limited and manageable. They are there and you can chuck them away.
- Box breathing (Google it, breathe in for 4 out for 7 in the shape of a rectangle)
- Be kind and do good for others. Be charitable. Help someone with something and don’t expect anything.
This has been my way of life since I was little. I’ve always been charitable or volunteered.
Be humble. If you can help then do it. Be selfless. Whatever you believe in, we are all spiritual human beings and the universal energy can help everyone via positivity and goodness towards others.
Organisation
– Write to-do lists every day. It sets the tone for the day. Whether that’s a weekday or a weekend.
Do it on your mobile or on a note pad. I prefer a note pad to write things down on but I also have my mobile calendar and if I’m doing a REALLY long list I’ll use a Google Sheet or Microsoft Excel.
– Get a beautiful diary or notebook. I love the old fashioned writing down stuff. I have a work diary and a home diary.
– I asked for an IKEA white board & pens for Christmas (2020) – I write down my weekly and quarterly goals.
– Planning ahead of things to be done for key events or meetings is soooooo important for a clear head.
– Create spreadsheets for projects, tasks, blogs, holidays, camping, Christmas presents, Christmas food.
– Maintain an organised mobile phone calendar with reminders for key things – this will be hugely beneficial to feel organised.
– Declutter frequently, organise your wardrobe, whatever it is, do one thing to make your mind feel clearer.
– Feng shui your home, I’ve done it with mine and creating spaces and mixing wood with metals looks great.
– I have Lazy susan’s (spinny things that you put condiments, oils or products on) in the kitchen and bathroom cupboards for spinning products on. No reaching to the back of the cupboard and everything falling out. Well that’s other whole blog post! Check out my instagram post.
A good work life balance with technology
Tech overload can be, well an overload.
I use 2 screens for work. And a mobile screen for work.
In the evenings I’ll usually watch Sky or Netflix/Prime. on another screen. Check out my top film and series list to watch.
Get a really good work station set up. Invest in a good desk an ergonomic chair and some nice desk bits. Put plants like a spider plant near your desk to get good oxygen. Organise your pens in a pot. Have a desk note book. Make it look amazing. Clean it regularly. Clean your mobile screen and laptop screen.
– Invest in some blue light blocker glasseses to protect your screentime. I have the
BluBlox Wayfarer Sleep+ and use them after 8pm every night.
I never read on my mobile without them in the evenings now.
It’s a bit hard to see the colours on the mobile or TV when wearing them but it’s better for your circadian rhythmn – it regulates your sleep pattern.
– Working hard, making time for yourself and others, having fun, having hobbies. I play indie/rock/pop on the keyboard to relax or I do a jigsaw. (yes I’ve turned into an old person!)
– Surround yourself with positive people that offer encouragement and support, wherever you’re at in life.
– For tiredness when working spritz your face with organic rose water or use an organic mood roll like this one
– Book up some virtual events in advance to look forward to, a zoom call with a Kahoot quiz. Or organise an inpromptu walk. After lockdown, invite however many friends you’re allowed for a meal or BBQ (outdoors!) and cook them that signature dish you’ve learnt and cooked on repeat during lockdown.
Ok so that’s what I’ll be doing anyway. After I firstly see and hug my amazing family up north that I haven’t seen for over a year.
– Wear a pair of home-use only trainers in the home (I have a specific pair I ONLY wear in the house, not outside)
I feel like I’m ‘going to work’ at home and feel more productive.
– Dance – in the afternoon. I often have a 10 min workout to my favourite Spotify playlist. I’m into 90’s house music and EDM so listening to this and doing a geeky running man move gives me an instant lift..
These of just a few the things you could try this week? Give it a go….even just one thing.
I have to say the biggest and best thing is having a holiday but that isn’t always possible in unprecedented circumstances. So in the meantime the above will make do.
How have you been making yourself feel better during lockdown or how do you get a better balance?…
