We are all experiencing extraordinary times at the moment, something we may only see once in our lifetimes. With many having to stay at home it can be hard to keep a routine especially if you are unable to work. Here are 5 simple things you can put into practice to help keep a routine during lockdown:
1. Stick to a regular sleep schedule
It is important to stick to a set bedtime routine if you can. By going to bed every night at 10pm and waking up at 7am your body will find it’s natural rhythm and you will find waking up in the morning so much easier than crawling out of bed after a late night gaming session.
2. Drink water
You should be doing this anyway, but it can be easy to forget when you are at home and not in a work environment. Drinking water is so important for your health and wellbeing and coincides with your sleep health, you need to drink enough water in the day to avoid dehydration at night. Health authorities recommend drinking around 6–8 glasses a day or 1.2 litres on the average day but you will need more if you have been exercising.
3. Structure your day
Create a schedule for yourself either mentally or physically. Write down what you want to achieve in that day and how long you need to set aside to do this. Not only will it help to offload your thoughts but every time you tick something off that ‘To Do’ list you will feel a buzzing sense of accomplishment!
4. Get fresh air (if you can)
If your restrictions allow, go outside and get your daily dose of Vitamin D. Scientists have shown that being outdoor boosts our energy and makes us better people. Being stuck inside can understandably be difficult and make us irritable. Have a change of scenery, breathe in nature and restore your focus.
5. Switch things up at the weekend
Treat a week in lockdown like your working week. We all need time out to relax, try to keep your chill days on a Saturday and Sunday.
If you are working from home this step can be extremely important as if your work environment is now blended with your home environment it can be hard to mentally “shut off”. If you can shut the door on your workstation do it and try not to return until Monday morning. Use your weekend to do something creative, bake a cake, paint, read a book! Anything that will help stimulate your mind. Since the restaurants are closed use this as an opportunity to brush up on your culinary skills, broadens the mind and fills the belly!
Following these 5 simple steps can help both your physical and mental wellbeing and when the lockdown does come to an end, they should help to ease the transition back to normality. Not every day will be the same and you will not be able to do these things all the time but do not beat yourself up about it. Changing a routine can be difficult but think of the end goal and it will come easier to you, and you never know, you may even learn a new skill by the end of it!
