5 Ways to Create a Better You During Lockdown

Let’s set the record straight right away – there is no ‘right way’ to be, during lockdown. These strange circumstances are something that we’ve never experienced as a community before now, and there’s no one way to cope. If you’re feeling a lack of motivation, feeling overwhelmed, struggling to maintain your everyday routines, eating or exercising differently than you would normally – that is all OK! The most important thing right now is to do whatever you need to do to get through this time.

That said, if you’re finding that you’ve got some extra time on your hands, and wondering if you could benefit mentally or physically (or both!) from spending some time on your personal growth, there are some great ways to make the most of this unusual time. Here are five of them!

1. Learn a new skill (you know, the one you’ve been putting off because you’ve been too busy?)

Learning a new skill is not only wonderful for your brain (helping to strengthen your brain and even fight off dementia), it can also do wonders for your mental health and self-confidence, and be a great boredom buster! Whether it’s learning a new language, learning to paint or draw, learning an instrument, or undertaking further education – learning something new is a great way to spend that extra time at home, and give you that feeling of accomplishment you’re craving right now!

If you’re working from home or have found yourself out of work because of the COVID-19 crisis, this time can be an excellent opportunity to think about your career going forward. Is there something you’ve always wanted to do, but haven’t found the time to enhance your skills or improve your CV? Perhaps you’re just ready for a change, but aren’t sure what’s right for you? Spend some time thinking about what it is you really want to be doing, or what new career you might venture into. There are countless online courses available through places like Open Universities or Coursera, that can help you to skill up!

2. Create a holistic self-care routine

Self-care might sound like some new-age buzzword to many, but really, it’s the key to living a happier, healthier and more rewarding life. According to PsychCentral:

“Self-care is any activity that we do deliberately in order to take care of our mental, emotional, and physical health. Although it’s a simple concept in theory, it’s something we very often overlook. Good self-care is key to improved mood and reduced anxiety. It’s also key to a good relationship with oneself and others.”

Whilst creating a good self-care routine is more complicated than simply taking long baths or learning to meditate, there are a few basic elements to get you started.

• Identify things that you want to stop doing – things that cause you unnecessary stress or anxiety – such as checking emails at night, overcommitting to friends and family, spending too much time on your phone or on social media etc.
• Get enough sleep, even if this means setting yourself a prescribed bedtime and wakeup time during lockdown. Sleep is one of the most crucial aspects of our physical and mental health, and the lack of routine right now can disrupt this.
• Do at least one ‘you time’ activity that brings you joy each day. This might be spending some time reading, going for a walk to clear your head, cooking, talking to friends, or watching your favourite TV show.
• Dedicate time to relaxing and/or meditating without distractions each day.
• Get into a healthy eating and exercise routine that’s right for you. Don’t punish or guilt-trip yourself. Do the types of exercises that you find fun, and cook the kinds of foods that excite you!
• Finally, enlist an expert. Schedule sessions with a counsellor who can help you to hone your routine, talk through and unpack the things you’re struggling with, and support you through the changes you’re making.

3. Spring clean your life

By now, we’re all familiar with the Marie Kondo phenomenon, or the ‘KonMari’ method of tidying up, which prescribes removing things from your life that no longer ‘spark joy’. Whether or not you’re a fan of the philosophy, there’s no denying that tidying up your home can have an impact on your life, overall.

“When you put your house in order, you put your affairs and your past in order, too. As a result, you can see quite clearly what you need in life and what you don’t, and what you should and shouldn’t do,” writes Marie.

During lockdown, tidying up and getting rid of unnecessary items in the home can be especially important – as you’re spending more time surrounded by them than ever before. Decluttering can also be a whole-family activity and a great way to spend time together.

4. Help others

Creating a ‘better you’ during lockdown doesn’t mean only focusing on yourself. Helping others who are struggling during lockdown is not only a great way to feel good about yourself, but can provide support to someone really in need. Consider assisting older relatives and neighbours who might have difficulty getting to the shops, or connect with friends and loved ones who are feeling isolated (through phone or video calls, for example). If you’re a volunteer and have suddenly found yourself unable to volunteer as you normally would, look for online volunteering opportunities.

5. Enrol in a life coaching program

This unprecedented time in our history has given many of us the time and perspective to evaluate our lives and realise that there are some things we’d really like to change. Of course, that can be easier said than done, especially while in lockdown! That’s why enlisting the help of an expert to create a plan built especially for you can be so beneficial. And best of all – you can do it virtually. Our life coaching programs can help you to tap into your personal potential, uncover what’s holding you back, and equip you with the tools to make changes. We’re supporting our clients during the pandemic by offering online sessions over Skype, so you can begin achieving your goals and unlocking your potential even from the comfort of your home.

Despite the lockdown causing huge disruptions to our daily lives, we can use this time to focus on what we really want, and build a plan to create a happier, healthier and more fulfilling life for ourselves. There’s never been a better time to focus on your personal growth. Try one or all of these five ways to create a better you during lockdown, and get in touch with us today to put your plan into action.