Urban Tonic’s Five Simple But Effective Tips For Minding Your Mental Well-Being During A Lockdown

Are we living some sorta nightmare or what’s the craic?!

Our health and social care services are on their knees. Thousands of us are protecting ourselves and others by isolating from everything and everyone we know and love. Schools and colleges have downed PCs and pens. ‘Homeschooling The Wains’ has turned everyday family life back to front and upside down. Business owners everywhere left with no alternative but to shut shop and tell employees there’s no work.

Over the last year, the global COVID-19 pandemic has spread itself like warm butter on fresh toast across almost every corner of the world – disrupting us all in some way, shape or form. 

The stress of losing a loved one, loss of employment, ever-changing dos and don’ts, and the overconsumption of misleading media coverage, can gnaw and gnaw (and gnaw) at the mind.

Here’s our five simple but effective tips for minding your mental well-being during the pandemic…

#1 Find A Routine That Works For You

Depending on your circumstances – sit down alone or with those in your immediate circle – and carve out a structured, easy to live by routine that helps keep the daily plates of work, personal and family life spinning smoothly.

If you’re suddenly juggling lots of spare time, today could be the perfect opportunity to look at that growing list of odd jobs you’ve been threatening to make a start on.

#2 Get Off Your Hoop

Are your jeans tight on the waist after Christmas? Need a brief change of scenery?

You don’t need a gym membership or fancy ‘pavement pounding’ footwear. Kick off a viral weightlifting challenge with all the heads you know currently training from home. Make use of that exercise bike you’re hanging the washing over. Take the dog out a dander twice a day so it can shite somewhere other than the back yard. Make PE lessons fun and informative by getting the kids out on regular walks and cycling expeditions within your local area.

#3 Stay Away From Yourself

Going stir-crazy staring at four walls? Keep the brain and hands busy. 

Practice some chords on an ole acoustic guitar. Open YouTube and learn how to paint on canvas. Take a pen and paper and try penning your thoughts. Learn a new skill that’ll impress the boss and benefit you at work when you’re finally brought back off furlough. You’ll go blind otherwise…

#4 Become A Conscious Media Consumer

The overconsumption of powerful media resources can rob us of our precious time and mask useful, educational information in favour of fun, often trivial misinformation.

Remember that your brain is in charge of your media experience. Strike a nice balance between media and real life. Be it cutting back TV time, trimming time spent on your phone, or being mindful of what you consume on social media. When you look closer to home, real life is always much more fun, enriching and empowering.

#5 Don’t Close Yourself Off 

At times of stress and uncertainty, we work better in company and with support.

Check in regularly with those nearest and dearest to you. Ring one of your muckers for a chat. Message into the family WhatsApp group. Snapchat your granny. Speak to your neighbours when you meet them. Communicate with friends on gaming platforms. Use social media to let people know you’re okay. If you need to, don’t be embarrassed to talk about your feelings or ask for support.

We hope these tips help some way toward making your current experiences that wee bit easier.

Keep following those guidelines. Don’t be a tube.

We’re all in this together.

More content coming soon. 

Blog by “The Derry Fella”