10 tips to stay sane during COVID-10 lock-down!
By: Bhupinder Sandhu
Tags: Self Care, Self Love, Covid 19, Stay At Home, Helping Others

Here we talk about 10 self-love ideas for consideration during this lockdown. Find that work for you and try to integrate those into your daily schedule. Who knows, this boring lockdown can become the best time of your life.

Learn from the history

Mankind is not new to these kinds of pandemics; we have been through few like this in the past centuries. The most known of all is the 1918 Spanish flu which infected 500 million people worldwide. But this tragic event left a lot of useful inspirational stories about how to survive in difficult times.

Try to find out these stories and learn from them, you’ll be surprised that there could be many helpful ideas that you can adapt during your lockdown. Old pictures, videos, literature, or historical records are all good sources for you to learn about the interesting life in those tough times.

2. Rewire your mental well-being

Self-love during lockdown should not be limited to nourishing your body with healthy nutrition and spa. But you should also look after your mental, emotional, and spiritual side too. You are lucky that nature has answers for all of it.

You all know that when you spend time outside in nature, even as little as 10 minutes a day, it has a huge effect on your health, reducing anxiety and stress. You can rewire your mental well-being through nature without violating social distancing rules:

Walk barefoot in your garden

Do some stretches near the patio or in balcony

Take a couple of deep breaths after you wake up and regularly through the day

Listen to relaxing music in your garden and enjoy the warm sunshine touching your face.

You can use apps like “calm” and “headspace” to rejuvenate your mental well-being.

3. Love yourself first to love others

There is an old saying, “If you can’t love yourself, how the hell you’re going to love somebody else?” And, I truly believe that. This quote has really helped me develop as a better person and understand the importance of “self-love”, so that I can give something back to the community. You have to fill the bucket before you can water the flowers.

Therefore, why not take your time and ask yourself:

What can I do today to appreciate more for my well-being?

What can I do to give myself more care and love?

How can I support others and show gratitude?

What can I do to support others in these difficult times?

Remember, we are all in this together! It’s so important to practice compassion for yourself by taking care of yourself first, then only you’ll have the strength to help and support others.

“You can’t drive a car with empty tank!”

You can start with cooking healthy meals or enjoy home spa to relax your body and mind.

4. Practice healthy eating

These days it is more important to practice healthy living and boost your health during this difficult time. It starts with best nutrition.

A healthy immune system needs the right nutrients to enable your body to function optimally. We’re in a rare phase where most of us have a lot of time to find out different foods and healthy living strategies that we’ve never tried before and put them into practice.

There are many free resources online to help you to navigate the rocky road of eating well and feeling your best. From healthy recipes, fitness ideas to healthy living, figuring out what works for you is the key to have a quality time with yourself.

5. Explore the world digitally

It’s a shame that you couldn’t spend your Easter holiday with your friends and family. But there are many ways through which you can explore the world during lockdown without risking an inch from your door.

You can be easily do this by using google pictures and earth, for example. Or consider virtual day trips that you can now register for online. In there you simply enter the destination that you want to explore and see where the digital virtual tool can take you.

6. Find new exercises to boost physical well-being

I know it can be hard when you can’t go to the gym or your favourite fitness classes right now, but this should not be the excuse for not moving your bodies. There are many useful resources so that you can move your body in the comfort of your own home, or in your garden and even on the balcony. And you still can practice social distancing.

Check out online and discover the workouts that you would like to practice at home today to burn calories, lose weight, and feel great. These fun, safe, and efficient home workouts can get your body moving during lockdown.

7. Talk to someone

Communication and interaction with other humans is our very basic need, we all need to talk to somebody, particularly during this current global crisis. Lockdown could be a deserted place and you may possibly not get the support you need. But should remember that you are not alone and there is always somebody that you can talk to.

Here are a few charities which you can call. These are totally free and confidential. You can arrange online sessions or make a telephone appointment at the comfort of your home.

Anxiety UK. If you are diagnosed with an anxiety condition, then these are the people you should talk to.

If you are diagnosed with an anxiety condition, then these are the people you should talk to. Men’s Health Forum. They provide 24/7 stress support for men via text, chat, and email.

They provide 24/7 stress support for men via text, chat, and email. Minds. This charity promotes the viewpoints and needs of people with mental health problems.

This charity promotes the viewpoints and needs of people with mental health problems. Macmillan Cancer Support. They provide physical, emotional, and financial support to help you live life as fully as you can.

They provide physical, emotional, and financial support to help you live life as fully as you can. The Mix Specialise in providing free information and support for under 25's in the UK. They provide advice about sex, relationships, drugs, and mental health.

8. Have some fun at home

Because of the lockdown, we all have a lot of time to for ourselves and to spend with our dear ones. So, why not use this time to do things which bring in joy to life? Remember that a tiny thing can make a huge difference! Let’s discover some choices, shall we?

Baking a pie, baking a cake and cooking a healthy meal with your child.

Dance with your kids/partner at home.

Play online games with kids or sing with karaoke.

Explore and connect with online people who share the same interests, like, zoom meetings, WhatsApp, Facebook groups.

“If you can’t have fun yourself, how the hell you gonna entertain somebody else!”

9. Find a way to serve

Self-love during this time is not just about taking care of yourself, but also giving back and supporting others in need.

Seek out organisations that help elderly people or feed people; your local food bank or care home can be a great start. If you want to go for the extra mile, you could even support your local businesses, for example by ordering your grocery through independent producers that are losing business, etc.

10. Learn a new skill

Want to learn how to say “lockdown is a badass” in French? This is the great time to learn a new language or any other skill that you always wanted to learn.

Here are a few options that are suitable for every learner, organise time and also encourage other family members to join you, make learning fun!

Duolingo — This is easy to use free app for those who wants to learn new languages. 25 different languages are available.

This is easy to use free app for those who wants to learn new languages. 25 different languages are available. Do Yoga with me — Amazing online learning source for yoga lovers. Try their free online tutorials during this lockdown period, from stress-relieving breathing exercises and popular yoga postures, you can find 100s of helpful videos here.

Amazing online learning source for yoga lovers. Try their free online tutorials during this lockdown period, from stress-relieving breathing exercises and popular yoga postures, you can find 100s of helpful videos here. Harvard free online courses — The University offers many free online courses for people who want to learn new skills. Free courses.

Be kind, be compassionate to yourself and others. If you are able to help, donate, and give back to the world. Remember, every little help Helps.

Let’s all spread some love, positivity, smiles and help others in need.

Stay home and Stay safe.