How to spend your lockdown

OK, so we somehow unexpectedly entered a dire pandemic lockdown situation, where it feels like the world have stopped turning. Everyone seems stressed, worried and confused. It can be a very difficult time for our mental health, physical health and economy.

So what should we do now? Well, I’ve always believed in turning adversity into opportunity and making the best of our situation no matter what the circumstance are. So I’ve made a list of activities we can do to help us get through this lockdown period. It composes of things to do to keep us safe, healthy, productive and mentally healthy. Here are the list:

1. Be healthy & boost your immune system!:

One of the most important thing to do is to ensure you are healthy and have a good immune system to handle any potential infection that may come your way. Here are list of things to do to improve your immune system

a) Exercises: Include regular exercise to counter the inactive home bound lifestyle. Here are some ideas: free weights, cycling machine, resistant ropes, aerobics, circuit training, skipping, step-up and jogging on one spot.

b) Take vitamin supplements: To ensure your immune system is healthy, take daily doses of vitamin C. Other immune boosting vitamins are vitamin B6 (also found in green vegetable and chickpeas), vitamin E (also found in nuts, seed and spinach) and vitamin D (through sunlight).

c) Keep hydrated: Drink adequate amount of water

d) Get enough sleep: Sleeping allows your body to recover and repair.

Bad things for our immune system you want to avoid: poor diet (especially too much sugar intake), smoking, alcohol, dehydration, stress, sleep deprived, obesity and not enough exercise.

2. Sort out your finances and start budgeting:

You need to make sure you are not in a difficult financial situation throughout the lockdown period. I suggest effectively managing your finances and start budgeting. To find out more tips on managing your finances and budgeting, please click here… If you need immediately financial support, please seek governmental financial support.

3. Reduce the frequency of going out:

I do not promote panic buying or hoarding but I do recommend having an adequate supply of essential goods at home to minimise your exposure of going outside. This reduces the risk of getting infected. Online shopping is ideal way to purchase your goods. I also suggest disinfecting parcels and goods, as well as not touching it for a few days to allow the virus die off (except for things that needs to be in the refrigerator or freezer).

4. Set some goals: 

Now that we got some time on our hands, use it wisely and achieve something. Set goals and start working on it. It is also important to have goals to keep us focused and not dwell in the state of negative emotion. Have a clear, realistic and measurable goal.

Here are some ideas:

• Learn new work skills: It’s a perfect time if you want to pivot or progress further in career path. There are a lot of affordable online course.
• Learn life skills: Learn how to cook healthy tasty vegan food, sew, gardening or growing vegetables.
• Have fitness goals: Perhaps aim for more reps or duration time of your exercise. Joining a online virtual fitness community can be a great motivator and it gives you a sense of community.
• Learn a new hobby: New language, programming or musical instrument?

However, sometimes it’s fine to not have a goal and just relax and indulge if you want to. Sometimes if we are very stressed or down, doing what we want is a way to lift our mood up and recover. So learn to be kind to yourself and know when not to be too hard on yourself.

5. Have a structured routine:

Being at home can be the worst place to get anything done. Therefore I strongly recommend that you have a structure routine schedule to prevent you from being distracted or  mentally wonder off into a negative state of unhealthy fear, anxiety or frustration.

Make sure you are discipline enough to follow through the schedule and routine. It may be difficult at first but over a period of time it will become a positive habit. Perhaps assimilate your routine to be the same routine you usually have. I also suggest incorporating morning ritual and night ritual in your routine for psychological benefits.

Try to allocate different rooms for certain task. For example have a separate office room that is not in your bedroom. This will help your mind to switch to a particular mode of thinking and thereby optimising your performance.

Don’t forget that it is also OK to not have schedule and let yourself go when you need to. Sometimes a period of binge watching or playing music instrument is a form to take your mind off stress and heal yourself. So don’t be too rigid on strict routine if you feel you need a break to do nothing.

6. Tick off those pending task!:

Remember those little task you said you will do later but somehow it is still pending on your today list over the years? Well, it is a perfect time to get it done now! This could be organising your storage, making a pile of things you want to get give to charity or just organising you digital photo albums. You will definitely feel so much better after this!

7. Home improvement:

As you will be home bound, I suggest you turn your home into a haven or sanctuary. Spend time to tidy up and work on the interior design. It is important to have a comfortable comfortable and relaxing atmosphere. This will avoid any unnecessary stress which you may not be aware of.

8. Learn to be self sufficient and self sustainable:

Nothing brings more confidence and reduce anxiety than having a plan and being self sufficient. Here are some self sufficient skills: growing your own fruits and vegetables, make your own bread/pasta from flour or solar powered energy as back up in case of power failure. Have equipment to filter water.

9. Learn how to maintain a healthy relationship during a lockdown:

Lockdown can negatively affect our relationship with people around us. With most people experiencing fear, anxiety and frustration already, the interaction between people around us becomes very volatile and can lead to arguments and even verbal or domestic abuse. This is why we need to put extra effort in how we interact with each other.

My first advice is to ensure you have ‘me time’. Everyone needs to have there own space otherwise they will feel tired and grumpy. I suggest have more relaxed therapy, baths, spend time in the garden or balcony and just have space where you can relax.

Another important thing is to be more mindful, understanding and forgiving. Know that they are also going through emotionally hard times too (especially with fear, anxiety and frustration), so just be more patient, understanding and forgiving. Learn to overlook the trivial matters. There need to be one cool headed, compose and positive person otherwise hell may break loose at home. One day they will thank you for your patience and understanding.

10. Get connected with love ones & the community. Help each other out:

In times of trouble, it is so important to make sure we are closely looking out for each other. Take the initiative to contact your love ones and community to check up on them. Ask if they needs any help such as food supply or with groceries (especially vulnerable people). Even lending a listening ear is important in times like this.

Make sure you regularly check up on them. Remember that humans are social creatures. Community gives us a sense of security, comfort and strength. We are stronger together than alone.

11.  Have time for reflection and planning:

With enough time on our hands now (which we hardly get). it’s a perfect opportunity to start re-evaluating our lives and make plans. Perhaps ask fundamental questions such as how do I want to spend my remaining time on earth? What is the most valuable thing to me? What do I want to achieve? Do I want to change my career? And then make plans on what to do after the lockdown is finished. It is nice to have something to look forward to, instead of aimlessly stumbling through your life.

12. Mental self care:

Pandemic lockdown is a very stressful time. Emotion runs wild. There is mixed emotions of frustration, irritation, fear, anxiety and dread. Stress can also weaken our immune system and damage our health. It is so important to look after ourselves psychologically during this time.

I am not a psychologist but here are some tips I think may help:

• Reduce exposure of news: Be informed but do not overly watch negative news.
• Be confident though taking the right actions
• Be connected with family and friends and build a have a good community
• Have someone to talk to and have emotional support:
• Music therapy: Music really helps to uplift our mood and sooth the soul
• Meditation and prayers: These are powerful tools to transform the heart and bring inner peace.
• Work on positive thinking, philosophy and attitude

To read more about how to mentally cope a pandemic lock down, please click here…

To conclude…

I hope this blog will serve you well in times this difficult time. Remember that you are not alone, and everyone is going through this difficult times as well. We are in it all together. Remember to wear mask, keep basic hygiene and social distancing. Be calm, be patient and help each other. This moment will pass.