This three-minute read looks at ways to ensure
you don’t go from suffering with lockdown lethargy to suffering from
post-pandemic pressure.

Things are starting to open up again. It turns
out the light at the end of the tunnel isn’t an oncoming train. It could even
be some weak UK sunshine.

Transitioning from lockdown to all your usual
activities may feel like a shock to the system. Use these tips to help keep
your mental health well during this new chapter.

Start the day right

If you’re waking up to a whole new schedule,
the routine change can feel stressful. Try setting your alarm fifteen minutes
earlier. Giving yourself just a few minutes before your day begins can help you
find the inner strength you need. Try one or more of these suggestions in that
space:

·
Make your favourite
drink. Try to focus your whole mind on the taste and experience of every sip.

·
Follow a
brief, guided meditation to focus, calm, or even motivate you. Try a free app
like Insight Timer.

·
Grab a
notebook. Write down how you feel, your first three thoughts for the day. Also
note any negative thoughts and how you could reframe them. Finally, note three
things you’re grateful for.

Don’t forget about Joe

Maybe you didn’t try Joe Wicks’ pandemic fitness
videos but you get the idea. Maybe you’re going back to an office job, or the
kids have gone back to school so you’re not running around after them anymore. Find
time to do some movement within your day. Some ideas could be:

·
‘Yoga With
Adriene’ on YouTube. Choose a short video and see if you improve over time.

·
Go for a
ten-minute walk from your house. Turn around. Walk back. It doesn’t have to be
intense, although you could choose to jog or run. Find a podcast and pop it on
your smartphone for extra enjoyment.

Sleep hygiene

It’s not always possible to follow the suggestions
for a great night’s sleep. Going to bed at the same time every night isn’t
always practical. Choose a different tip to help you get the rest you so need,
and deserve.

·
Hot baths
and milky drinks before bed aren’t just for tiny tots. They can help relax you
too, so you drift off easily.

·
Light a
scented candle and turn off other lights. Watching the flame in a darkened room
can be soothing.

·
Try
audiobooks for stories, or Insight Timer for sleep meditations. Other people
like to listen to music. This can help stop your mind from churning and give
you something else to focus on. You can get flat headphones or pillows with
speakers in so you don’t disturb anyone else.

What are your favourite ways to keep calm and
carry on? We’d love to hear from you. Email warren@cwbproperty.co.uk.