What positive things people doing/focusing on to help their mental health?

[ImfinallyaMummy]

I suffer with anxiety and prone to depression so I'm desperately trying to distract myself and look for positives but finding it difficult.
I've already had bouts of tears this morning and feel like I'm constantly telling my toddler 'no'. We are both frustrated already.

I'm in lock down here in Cayman Islands, juggling work and home educating.
I'm balancing my day by working from 3am-9am online, and then teaching from 9-2pm with the kids.
Then back online during course of day to check on my team and divvy you're tasks and urgent requests.
I'm interspersing all of this with sunrise yoga, meditation where I can and a shit ton I'd exercise.

I'm lucky I have DH too but he is still working externally as he has a huge team of guys he needs to keep in work so the bulk of teaching is falling to me.

We're on day 4 of lock down here and exercise and staying active are key mentally. Luckily it's hot here so we can get outside to bike ride and stuff but I won't pretend I'm not already going a bit nuts staring at 4 walls.

It's trial and error for what works though, i don't want my kids to take the brunt of my WFH frustrations hence me adapting my day so that I can focus on them. Mentally it makes me much calmer.

I hope that helps, there are so many apps you can use, but key is keeping as active as possible and downloading as many books as possible!

My DD and I did a 'what's positive about Coronavirus' list this morning. Her first answer was 'I get to spend more time with Mummy', just about broke my heart.

I know it's important to her as she's always been in full time nursery and then wrap around care whilst all her mates have parents that can do school drop off and pick up.

A daily check in post on a Facebook group. Daily walk. Calming music.

Exercising!

I go out running in the woods every morning, and DD and I go for a longish walk every few days.

If you can't do that get some exercise in, there's loads of workout videos on youtube. Exercise is genuinely good for mild depression.

I was feeling quite anxious a few days ago, and put on some fun music and baked biscuits! It worked a treat, I felt so much better. I find music so therapeutic. Also, disconnect from any news for a while, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by it all. HTH 🙂

Or come over here op:-

https://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/coronavirus/3849530-mindfulness-support-thread

Mumsnet mindfulness thread!

I find reading, crafts, and music really helpful.

DD and I are going to have a go at beginners yoga, using YouTube, because some exercise is necessary.

Music does help you are right but my toddler is getting very frustrated so tending to scream over the music 😬

We have started yoga online.
Also making sure we do meditation.
It isn't easy though.

I downloaded a pixel art app on my phone, didn't really expect much of it but it's actually proving to be a really great distraction.