What are you doing to look after your mental heath in locdown?

[Crampon]

Interested in what everyone's doing in these tough times.

We have weighted blankets and relaxing oils (lavender). I try to knit and colour too- I used to think all this was a bit 'woo' but now understand the biology behind stress a bit more.

Fresh air, exercise, meeting friends for a walk . I make sure I get out everyday even if it’s raining as being stuck in the house is really what gets me down and also my baby is a lot less settled if we haven’t ventured out for our walk. I also do a long run about 3 times a week. I have always hated doing nothing and being at home too much so this lockdown is really hard. I’m on mat leave this time but was working full time in lockdown one so I found that much easier.

I found the manic screaming back and forth pro and aginst lockdowns and their impacts, to be very hard to read. Horrible patronising accusations flung in both directions.

Yes I totally agree with that. It seems on here either you're a frothing, curtain twitching "weddings will never take place again" type or an anti-vax covid denier loon.

I've been called both a doom monger and a covid denier on here by each side, respectively, so that's been amusing if nothing else.

Had breakdown.... got lots of drugs and counselling!
Was taking long walks with friend, but now have Covid so can't leave the house and would not be able to manage more than a few yards.
Was making lots of lovely meals, but again Covid has robbed me of both energy and the ability to taste.

Thank fuck for gin....

I don’t know, I’m really struggling today 😢.

Me too @LadyCatStark

I've been so positive but this is just relentless.

Only listening to the news once a day
Only watching positive, feel good TV programmes
Going for walks and taking the time to look at the sky, watching the clouds, sunrises and sunsets
Knitting, crocheting, baking
General pottering around the house, sorting stuff out
Listening to music
Chatting to friends
Having plants and fresh flowers in the house
Believing that spring will come again

@LadyCatStark

I don’t know, I’m really struggling today 😢.

Sorry to hear that. Can you watch something relaxing - I found the Christmas Bake Off on YouTube the other day and it was perfect.

@frozendaisy

Wish I could knit

Have you looked for beginner's guides on YouTube? There are some good ones. Even if you knit squares and sew them together it's really good for you as using your brain to coordinate seems to stop the worrying.

Books. I have rediscovered my love of reading.
Gardening (not so much this one yet)
Writing

Spending far too much money on car parts and learning how to attach them to my car.

Smoke weed

It's legal here. Blessed.

Apart from that. Usual, supermarket for food, tv, netflix, decluttering, domestics, adult son dropping in, working online, etc.

Yoga
8 min workout sessions
Lots of outdoor time for fresh air

But then lots of chocolates and cakes also

The company of my beautiful tabby cat.
Drinking far too much tea.
Trying to eat better.
Setting a daily routine with the DCs
Starting each homeschooling day with either a walk in the park or PE with Joe.
BBC Bitesize is our saviour.
Reading with the DCs and re-reading my Harry Potter books myself.
Taking it day by day and not putting myself under the homeschooling pressure I did first lockdown.
Keeping on top of the housework.
Dancing on Ice, Death In Paradise, Junior Bake Off, Masked Singer.
Noticing a little more daylight each week and looking forward to getting out in the garden more.

Great post thank you, I’m also trying to get out the house everyday for a walk, it’s nice to hear everyone’s ideas.

Trying to hope the strong suppression strategy doesn't cause more harm than good.

Running
No news
Book reading
St Johns Wort

Running.
Fresh air everyday
Luxurious baths
Lovely candles
Good food and wine
Family board games
Focussing on work (Covid stuff so I have to relax outside of work)

Books and baking although the later is not doing so well for our waistlines

Things I tell myself I’m going to do:

• daily yoga
• weights 3 x per week
• not sit looking at my phone all day
• watch less TV
• Read
• Lots of decluttering
• eat healthily
• lose a stone

Things I actually manage:

• walking for an hour every day
• logged out of Facebook
• eat pretty well and keeping my weight under control but not lost any.

Getting lost in virtual reality although lately it feels more like a chore rather than an escape. I have started my night walks again which tends to be a sign I am heading into a mental health crisis :(

Work is a huge distraction for me as it's manic post-Brexit, but also pretty stressful, so my daily walk is really important.

Not watching the news or any press conferences - occasional viewing of BBC app only.

Watching live webcams on YouTube - it somehow keeps me grounded knowing the rest of the world is still out there, especially nature and the natural world just doing its thing. Explore.org has loads.

I have them on tv when I'm pottering about.

Napping.
Sleeping in.
Indulging in wonderfully normal, mundane dreams.
Keeping news to the headlines only and treating most news like the annoying background noise of my DCs' constant bickering.
Only watching iPlayer/ Amazon to avoid intrusive propaganda.
Sparing the few fucks I have left for essential things.

How’s everyone finding this week? Are you finding some things are working better than others at keeping you in good spirits? I’m trying to get out for a walk everyday, which most days this week has been in the rain!

Reading
Walks
Chatting to family and friends on WhatsApp
Skincare
Washing and straightening my hair everyday
Naps