self care in lockdown

My lovely Mum sent me an interesting post from LinkedIn the other day, written by Poppy Griffiths, a mental health advocate and R U OK? Ambassador (if you're interested in reading it, you can find it here). She writes, "Many of us across the country may feel a sense of languish right now... What is this you may ask? A feeling of just ok, not mentally unwell but not flourishing." I found this read super interesting, as it seemed to vocalise the emotions of indifference and flatness that I've been experiencing the past few weeks. It was this article that prompted me to write this one you're reading now.

Lockdown 6 began in Melbourne at the beginning of August, and it is now the last day of the month. Time appears to have lost a great deal of meaning, and days are easily blurring into one frustrated lump of mental exhaustion. In my last post, I talked about recognising the signs of burnout when in lockdown. I have no doubt that I, along with many others, are currently experiencing a few of these symptoms. This time around, I wanted to focus on a few ways that we can take care of ourselves in lockdown when we do begin to experience these feelings of frustration and languish.

Before I recommend some methods of self care that I've found have been working for me, I'd like to briefly touch on what self care is. Generally, self care refers to any activity that one undertakes to help ease stress or mental strain. Self care is different for everyone, as everyone finds relaxation in different ways. The recommendations I'm going to outline are things that have worked for me, and I share them in the hope that someone out there will find them helpful, or find a new method that they can try for themselves.

1. Get the creative juices flowing. This is the number one way I like to relax - creating something, anything, that makes me happy. As someone who works in design and social media, it can be difficult at times to remember that creating art isn't always for the likes, or for the client. Creating art to relax means creating art that makes you happy. I've been drawing happy fruits, smiling mushrooms, and objects from my favourite video games. This allows my mind to relax, and often times I find myself getting lost in creating stuff that makes me smile and forgetting, even for a moment, that we are in a global pandemic and life is very far from normal right now. I would highly recommend creating, even if you have no artistic talent at all, because it's just so gosh darn fun. You can draw, make clay figurines, paint, make music, write - try something new!
   

2. Mindfulness meditation. I was introduced to mindfulness meditation when I was in my early 20s, when I was experiencing an extremely tumultuous time in my mental health. Since Lockdown 6 began, I've taken up the practice again. I will find a comfortable place to lie down, normally on my living room rug, and lie on my back with my hands at my sides. I will walk myself through each of my body parts, starting from my toes and working my way to the top of my head, registering how each body part feels as I lie on the ground. If an intrusive thought interrupts this walk, I acknowledge the thought and allow it to fall to the side to continue my wall. This exercise can take anywhere between 2 to 30 minutes, depending on how well I can concentrate. It takes practice! If I'm distracted, my thoughts will prove too difficult to tame, and sometimes I just lie there and think about everything and anything for a while. If I'm lucky, I'll get all the way to the top of my head without too much distraction. These quiet moments of walking through my body helps me detangle my brain. Give it a try - find somewhere comfy to lie down, close your eyes, and start with your toes.
   

3. Dance like nobody is watching. This sounds like such a cliché, but it works magic for my mood. I'll pop on some music in the living room, and just dance around and sing out loud. I no doubt look stupid and goofy, but I feel incredibly free doing this. It makes me feel like a kid again, and my heart lightens as I boogie around the apartment laughing at myself. I've also discovered a way of combining my exercise and dance - Apple Fitness+ has dance sessions! If you haven't tried them, I'd recommend it. The instructors are engaging and I get my workout and my goofy dance session all in one.
   

4. Walking, walking, walking. Okay, I know that everyone says getting out for a walk is the best way to get out and about during lockdown and shake off the blues, but it does actually work. There's a reason everyone says to go walking! I love putting on a podcast and going for a walk, even if just for a short 10-15 minutes. My partner and I try and go for walks on the weekend together, and we talk about all sorts of things (and we have "friendly debates" and definitely not heated discussions). If you're able to get out for a walk with a family member, friend, or partner, it's a wonderful way to move your body, reconnect your mind to nature, and connect with that person you're with.

I know that some of these methods are constantly mentioned as soothers for the languish we experience in lockdown, but surprisingly enough they do actually deliver on helping with mental health. Now, more than ever, we have to take extra steps to care for ourselves. Working from home, caring for children, and the loss of regular work and socialising has a profound impact on our mental wellbeing, and it's up to you to make sure you're being looked after.

I am sending all my positive vibes to those experiencing lockdown at the current time, and those who are feeling the effects of this pandemic. I hope you found a tool here that might help you with your mental wellbeing. This is a reminder that you are not alone, you are loved, and you are worthy of care, both from yourself and from others.

Love,

Ella.