7 Ways to Stay Optimistic During Lockdown

With much of the world in lockdown 2.0 or 3.0 in some places like Israel, it is easy to feel down but the way to get through trying times is by not giving in to negative feelings and to remain hopeful for the future. Even though the pandemic is now in its second year, the future is so much brighter due to the new vaccines, the second – or third – time around.

Here are some tips on how to keep yourself optimistic and practicing self- care during the lockdown:

Have a Daily Routine

Make sure that you structure your time and have a daily routine. Your morning and evening routines can affect your emotional and physical wellbeing whether you are working from home, homeschooling your kids, or home by yourself during lockdown.

Dr, Paul McLaren, the medical director at the Priory’s Hayes Grove Hospital in Kent told The Independent that structure is vitally important to keeping your spirits up.  “Routine, routine, routine,” he said; “Try to think about the key elements in your life before the current situation: work, social interaction (both formal and informal), play, intimacy, caring for others and chores. It’s worth thinking about what the balance normally looks like and how you can make a new balance work for you.”

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Maintain Social Contact

When you can’t see your friends, family, or co-workers, there’s an app for that. Use WhatsApp, Skype, or Zoom to be able to virtually be with them. During lockdown these virtual communities are an important way for you to maintain connections and not feel lonely. Go ahead, pray with your church or synagogue using streamlined services, visit your grandchildren, keep learning, and even play scrabble or chess online. keeping connected is the key to staying positive.

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Practice Gratitude

Instead of dwelling on the things you can’t do like going to the pub, birthday parties, or traveling; taking stock of the good things in your life will keep you on track. That’s because gratitude is good for your health, relationships, happiness, and mental wellbeing.

One of the best ways to express your gratitude is to keep a gratitude journal. You can jot down three things you were grateful for that day; it could be really simple like appreciating a good book, finally organizing your closet, or taking a self-care bubble bath.

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Soak up Sunshine

Try to go outside every day. Getting out to walk your dog, exercise, listen to the birds, or to just soak up sunshine is important to your wellbeing and a great way to get Vitamin D, an essential vitamin, into your system. Just make sure you wear a mask and keep socially distant. Can’t get outside? Just open your windows and let the fresh air and natural light in.

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Do the Things You Love

Make sure to practice self-care by doing the things you love. Read a good book, take up knitting, make amigurumi animals, sing in a virtual choir, or plant an herb garden in your kitchen. Having hobbies will keep you busy and destress you at the same time.

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Maintain a Good Work/Life Balance

When you are working from home, it’s important to keep your work and the rest of your life separate and balanced according to The Independent. “It’s vital to recognize the importance of our work life balance, which needs to support all areas of our life,” Cheryl Lythgoe from Benenden Health, a nonprofit private healthcare provider, told The Independent. “If we allow these lines to be blurred then we run the risk of not mentally and physically switching off.

“When working from home, you should maintain normal working hours and practices where possible; get ready for work as normal, take regular breaks, schedule in a lunch period and ensure any work-related tasks are finished at business close of day.”

(Khakimullin Aleksandr / Shutterstock.com)

Read Good News

You can also stay optimistic by reading positive and uplifting news. So, watch CNN or The BBC in small doses and read Goodnet to find out about people and organizations who are doing good, learn new yoga poses or meditation techniques, find healthy recipes, and get the scoop on new medical and green technology advances.

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