Extreme self care is the answer

The world appears to have gone mad due to the Coronavirus and I am sure that, like me, you are doing what you can to adapt to your new circumstances whether that’s carrying on working if you are a key worker, under intense pressure and indeed danger, or you have simply had to move your workplace into your bedroom or living room. This is going to be a very difficult period in all our lives and right now we don’t know exactly what this will consist of…

We are finally on lockdown and so now we are doing the job of adapting, and it is a job of work. It’s certainly not at all easy to have a life in which you are out and about with an active social and physical life to be reduced, overnight, to living within the confines of your four walls. There are people who don’t like doing this for a weekend, let alone three weeks. Everyone is different and so our coping mechanisms will differ too. I am always very happy lying on the sofa watching something on Netflix, so I’m not feeling as though I am suffering when I have to stay largely indoors but many people find this very challenging.

1. Acknowledge that things are changing and say to yourself that this is necessary, it’s for my good and I can do this. Don’t pretend that things are going on as normal and expect yourself to feel normal because you won’t. Many people are experiencing heightened emotions and anxiety and it is really important to recognize it. Don’t keep telling everyone you’re fine if you aren’t.

2. Give yourself a new schedule but don’t try to stick it rigidly. Try to give yourself a routine because the things that you do on a daily basis will act as anchors during this time and your mind will settle when you are doing things that you normally do. If you write a journal before bed, keep doing it for example. If you worked in the office between 09:00 and 17:00 with an hour for lunch then do the same at home but remember to factor in more breaks than you would naturally take in the office to account for the time that you would be moving around the office or engaged in some office chat. Take regular breaks from whatever you are doing throughout the day so that you can maintain your focus when you are working. Having said that, be flexible too so that you don’t feel under too much pressure. If you need to change up the routine that you have made for yourself, then do it. Take a very soft approach.

3. Listen to what you need for yourself by taking things much more slowly than you usually do. Pace yourself in a kind and caring manner so that any anxiety you’re feeling is kept in check and that way your relationship with yourself and with others won’t suffer.

4. Eat well and try to avoid heavy carbs which is what we all crave when we are in a crisis. Comfort foods in moderation so that your body doesn’t become sluggish and you end up punishing yourself because you’ve put on extra, unwanted pounds. Watch your intake of alcohol too.

5. Punctuate your day with fun stuff like dancing to your favourite tune or telling your flatmate ridiculous jokes. Find the comedy programmes on Netflix and spend your evening laughing. Distraction is highly underrated as a strategy when coping with change.

Whatever you do or don’t do this week, figure out what you need and give it to yourself and if you are feeling low then reach out for support from friends or family.

Take good care or as we are all saying at the moment, stay safe!

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