Staying mentally well during Winter lockdown

[Pegs11]

Hi, a lot of people I know seem very concerned about the prospect of another lockdown over Winter, and the potential effects on mental health.

My husband and I have been thinking about how we can start preparing for this, should it happen.

Ideas so far:

-Buy more board games
-Get a hot tub (!)
-Get a VR headset so we can still “go” to the beach!
-Buy waterproof clothes so we can always go for a walk in any weather

Not sure we can afford most of these though!

I thought it might be interesting, and maybe helpful to some, to start a thread about this so people can share their ideas on how we can all keep as mentally well as possible this Winter.

If you’d like to share your ideas I, for one, would really appreciate it!

I dont think we will have another national lockdown, maybe local ones but I think it will be more families having to self isolate due to symptoms while waiting for a test.

To us if there was a lockdown it won't be much different as we have no garden so we would still go for walks etc.... just wrap up warmer and with wet weather clothes.

Definitely going to buy a firepit, and have winter bbqs, will prob have a Christmas one between Christmas and New Year. Could really see that with Mulled wine/Baileys and Mince pies. Am also picking out colours to decorate over Autumn and Winter, and going to have Hot Choc and movies some evenings, will also buy some good books and read the books I have bought but never read. Will start soon to spread the cost. Think it is really important to take time together and apart, and do stuff for you too.

I think being physically healthy will really help with mental health. So I would get enough vitamin D and borroca to see us through winter.

Hot tub idea sounds like the dream

If you have a garden maybe some kind of outside but covered space so you can still go outside regardless of rain... I need to be outside!!

I’ve got all weather outdoor clothes for the boys so we can go out whatever the weather!!

A sledge incase it snows and they always sell out!

Save a good new box set or series on tv

Get a kindle

Register with online supermarkets now who are taking new customers incase you have to isolate for 2 weeks

Another lockdown isn’t feasible. Not unless you want to destroy the economy.

I would prefer if you asked me how we can
Take action to ensure this never happens again

I think we're more likely to get local lockdowns. Also, at the moment many of us are taking advantage of having a coffee or meal outside, but in winter there won't be many tables availlable inside so we won't be doing things like that for a change so much.

It'll be important to get yourselves out of the house, so make sure you've got a warm or waterproof coat and suitable footwear (or a backup if your trainers get soaked).

If you don't mind cooking, might be worth searching for some new winter recipes or cakes you can easily get DC involved with.

If anyone in your family enjoys art, books, craft, jigsaws or games, then it's worth buying whatever you need. Glitter and coloured paper for paperchains if you have DC,so they can make xmas decs.

@Calledyoulastnightfromglasgow But that’s not what I’m asking, and not what this thread is about. I want me and my loved ones, and indeed all of us, to be mentally resilient enough to make it through a winter which is likely to encompass significantly greater isolation for many people than in previous years, whether we’re under full lockdown, local lockdown, or no lockdown. A lot of people don’t feel comfortable socialising in large groups or going out to restaurants or shopping in crowded places, etc especially those among us with underlying health conditions which I believe is about one-fifth of the population.

Thanks to all who have replied so far with their suggestions. This is really helpful! My fave one is creating a warm and comfortable outside space, as we love being outdoors. We are thinking marquee and firepit (firepit outside the marquee of course!). Looking forward to doing that!

just been talking about this as we are in an area which may be subject to a local lockdown! Just can't see how the country would survive another second national lockdown!

Even if there isn't a national lockdown I won't be galavanting off to days out or staying with family on the coast. That usually scrapes me through winter.

I'm de-cluttering now and might get some more weights for the garden.

Gosh yes this is a helpful thread. I'm undergoing cancer treatment. I've been enjoying the sun, meeting up with people outdoors but so much of that will go in the winter, I am worried for the kids and my mental health.

DP came home last night with a big gas patio heater. I’m not sure how hot it’ll actually get but hoping we can have a few evenings sat outside in the garden with some mulled wine.

If I spend one more evening sat in front of the TV I’m going to scream!!

How about not worrying about a potential/possible/unpredictable lockdown and just looking after your mental health NOW?

Hoping also to, together with the whole household, make a pizza oven no idea how to start though

Ooh yes we've ordered a pizza oven - it won't arrive until September as they're so in demand but I'm looking forward to trying it out. DH already cooks on the BBQ all year round so we'll carry on doing that.

I will have a newborn (my first) this autumn so even if things loosen up a bit we'll still have to be careful and it's likely there will be a real shortage of baby groups etc. DH was shielding too so I will have to be careful even if there aren't any more lockdowns.

And there's a difference between getting stressed about the future and just wanting to be a bit prepared, just in case! It may not be prepping in a food sense but it's the same sort of idea. No harm in doing a spot of planning in advance.

You have NO authority to state that as fact

NONE

Cripes, calm down.

As long as it's stuff you will likely use anyway, doesn't hurt to prep. I've ordered some outdoor clothes in the next size up for DS, and a new sewing machine for me. It used to be one of my hobbies so I thought may as well!

Ooh a pizza oven!! Great idea

Re:boardgames (huge fan here)

1. no point in buying new, ebay is usually good and much cheaper
2. look at boardgamegeek for inspiration
3. select a variety of styles and complexity at first, 3-5 types, and then go along the route that suits you best

easy 2 player:
7wonders duel
Tiny epic kingdoms
backgammon

bit morre compex:
Dominion

pentago
ticket to ride

very complex:
terraforming mars
through the ages
risk

Give me a shout if you need more info :)

Many congratulations Now a very special time

Thanks @MarshmallowManiac! Exciting but scary haha

@TheSunIsStillShining, any recommendations for coop board games that work with two people? I love board games and card games but my DP won't play anything competitive which is a bit limiting. We have Pandemic, Forbidden Desert and the Elder Signs but always on the lookout for new ones...

*You have NO authority to state that as fact

NONE*

PMSL
No one has any authority to stare anything as fact on mumsnet. It certainly doesn’t stop the doom mongers who post as fact we’ll be locked down, wearing masks, SD and kids not back in school until 2039 at the earliest

@Nowisthemonthofmaying

Thanks *@MarshmallowManiac*! Exciting but scary haha

@TheSunIsStillShining, any recommendations for coop board games that work with two people? I love board games and card games but my DP won't play anything competitive which is a bit limiting. We have Pandemic, Forbidden Desert and the Elder Signs but always on the lookout for new ones...

You could play terraforming mars in coop mode if you don't count points at the end. Arkham and Gloomhaven are good, but expensive.

We tend to play competitive (with 15yr old is there any other way?), but here is a very long list from bgg,
boardgamegeek.com/boardgamemechanic/2023/cooperative-game/linkeditems/boardgamemechanic

I'm going to buy the paint needed to redecorate some rooms which haven't been touched in a very long time.

@TheSunIsStillShining Thanks! Will check that list out. I was eyeing up Gloomhaven but couldn't quite bring myself to pay that much...

Been having another think:

Also could plant plants in your garden which have a later flowering date to give your garden some more colour in the late autumn!

Fire spit to make s’mores- Delicious

Have you got an inside log burner/fire-
Would order wood now so got lots ready and all dry

Get some of those adult mindful colouring books