Well, 2021 has been less promising that first hoped and with lockdown 4.0 continuing in Melbourne, each day can feel like the last. Anyone feel like its groundhog day?
So, let’s keep our minds and our bodies active to protect our mental health through this latest lockdown challenge.
1. What can be done?
Do your research and if you were in the middle of home improvements before the lockdown, what works can continue? You may not have to come to a complete hault! Are outdoor works permitted? Work within the rules and follow the Government directions but you might find that some of the works you want to get done are allowed to continue.
2. Organise
If you work allot and are not home very much then lockdown might be the perfect opportunity to organise something you have been putting off. Organise your pantry, your fridge, your cupboards, your wardrobes. If you get really excited, jump onto the Ikea website and order yourself some boxes, trays etc. to help with the job.
3. Bake and cook
If you didn’t quite master cooking skills during the first coronavirus lockdown, maybe it’s time you try again and start with the basics. This is a great one for keeping the kids entertained (although, they may not be so enthusiastic when it comes to cleaning up the mess afterwards).
4. Practice some self care
Whatever you enjoy doing on your own that relaxes you and gives you joy will suffice! Some people might enjoy a bubble bath whereas others might listen to heavy metal music. Other ideas: read a book, give yourself a manicure, exercise.
5. Exercise
If your working from home during this lockdown, it can be so easy to be a slob and forget that your body actually requires exercise. Replace your gym visit with an at-home work-out. Jump onto YouTube and find a video or channel full of videos you can follow along with. Most smart TV’s these days can access YouTube so, gear up and set yourself up in the lounge room in front of your TV and get moving!
6. Don’t put it off any longer
Do something you have been putting off for a long time i.e. have you wanted to write a book, story or article? start a Podcast, write a blog, paint a picture, make a photo album – anything at all you have been putting off but really want to do.
Don’t be discouraged if you find yourself getting cabin fever and loosing the plot – these are challenging times and we are all feeling it. Reach out to friends and family and do what you need to do to get through this. Remember, we are all in this together!