Kevin Su on Keeping Yourself Busy and Mentally Healthy While on Lockdown: 3 Things You Can Do

As we continue to deal with the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, it’s important to do what we can to support both our physical and mental well-being. Even if you’re working from home, it may still feel like there is lot of time to fill during the day.

To help ease the burden, Kevin Su, skilled mechanical engineer and designer located in Vancouver, British Columbia, shares some great advice on how to keep you and those around you busy and mentally healthy during lockdown. Combine these with the tips with your work-from-home schedule to make this time as easy and as fulfilling as possible.

Schedule Video Meetings with Friends and Family

Now more than ever, people are reaching out to friends to offer support if they need help during this unsettling time. Even though businesses are beginning to reopen, life certainly isn’t back to normal. Gatherings consist of fewer people and more of us are spending more time alone.

When it comes to being alone, try to avoid this during lockdown by proactively scheduling times to check-in with family and friends. This might be as simple as arranging a weekly video call or by simply scheduling a time each week for a telephone call. Above all, virtually everyone is feeling disconnected from human contact, so it’s likely they’ll be eager to connect!

Plan for Regular Exercise

With gyms being closed and most team sports disallowed, getting physical exercise may seem impossible. However, here are some simple tips Kevin Su shares on how to maintain movement and fit in regular exercise:

· You can engage in sports like golf and tennis, as long as you strictly adhere to social distancing rules.

· Exercise at home; there are countless free online exercise classes and routines springing up every day that require little to no equipment.

· Enjoy a long walk or a bike ride outdoors.

· If you’re a parent, look for kid-friendly routines that can provide daily movement for yourself and your children.

Whether you already have workout equipment at home, have just purchased a yoga mat, or need to find a bodyweight workout online, there are many ways to keep fit while on lockdown. What’s more, evidence shows that exercise can make you mentally healthy — something we all need during this time of uncertainty.

Kevin Su on Maintaining a Consistent Routine

Although the uncertainty of COVID-19 has disrupted regular routines, it’s important to find a consistency in this new reality. If you’re working from home — or even if work arrangements are halted — structure is key. Kevin Su recommends the following tips for maintaining a consistent routine during lockdown:

· Start your day by waking up at the same time.

· Take your lunch and your breaks at the same time each day.

· Make time for movement and exercise (even if it’s just for 20 minutes).

· Get enough sleep; try to go to bed at the same time each night.

If you’re a parent, do the same with any kids you’re looking after. This isn’t as easy as it sounds; however, having a consistent routine will stop minds from wandering or from allowing negative thoughts to settle in.