Written by Emily Cornford
As we enter the last week of lockdown, I wanted to share with you a blog post to help you make it through, and these tips will help as Leicester moves into Tier 3 after the national lockdown is lifted. Lockdown can be tough, and it's important we look after our physical and mental health! No matter the circumstances, you should always put yourself first, and this means making sure your wellbeing needs are catered to. To help you get through this last week of lockdown, here are some fun activities and suggestions to keep yourself in a positive headspace, which are also eco friendly - some even help the environment! This is only a list of suggestions. If you are experiencing serious mental health issues, we advise you to seek professional help, either with a doctor, or with the Uni’s appropriate services.
Feeling cooped up? Go for a walk!
One of my favourite things to do in lockdown is to go for a walk! Going for a walk gives you a break from the scrolling of social media, and the constant glow of our laptops and online lectures - give your eyes a break! The last thing we all need right now is the monotony of social media, so try to get outside at least once a day. I love to take a walk, and see all the different autumn colours at the moment, so take advantage of the lovely weather when it comes. Make a playlist, listen to a podcast, or maybe even just walk in the moment and get outside! Check out our blog post here for suggestions of where to walk in Leicester.
Houseplants
Not only are houseplants an eco friendly and sustainable way to liven up any space, but they can also be very rewarding to care for! There are so many varieties, from hard to kill houseplants (blog post coming very soon!), to more fussy ones, but they all add a beautiful splash of colour. They don’t just add decoration as well, houseplants have been known to have positive impacts on mood. Gardening and taking care of plants is a great way to take a break from studies, as it is good for your mental and physical wellbeing, and gives a sense of purpose in what feels like a very uneventful time!
Check your ScreenTime!
Oh the pull of social media. Shamefully I have had to actively limit my screen time in lockdown, but I did find that when I was more mindful about my phone, and used it less, I did genuinely feel better at the end of the day. It may be hard because who doesn't love Instagram?! But make sure you are looking up at the world around you in 3D, not just through a screen! Online lectures and seminars can also be a pain - my eyes definitely sometimes get tired! Make sure you are taking regular breaks from your desk to allow your eyes to rest and recuperate, even if it's just a walk to make a cup of tea, and sit up straight!
Bored? Here's a few (sustainable!) lockdown activities…
I don't know about you, but I am one of those annoying people (much to my housemates' despair) who is ready to celebrate Christmas as soon as it hits November 1st. A great way to take a break from study, or maybe even a way to spend the day with friends (in your bubble!), is creating fun Christmas decorations and cards. You can use old glass jars and bottles and paint to create fun Christmas vases, or make gifts for friends and family! You make bunting, or even a garland from old Christmas cards and card scraps you have lying around!
For those who prefer to save the Christmas celebrations for December, there are so many activities we can do to fill our time. Calling friends and family who you can’t see at the moment benefits both parties, as it is so important to stay in touch with people during these difficult times. Alternatively, if you are feeling crafty, check out these upcycling activities (I love the mini pom-poms - so cute!).
Healthy habits
Making sure we eat well and get fresh air and exercise is so vital to our physical wellbeing, which is also strongly related to our mental wellbeing. A great way to relieve lockdown stresses and worries is to give yourself time in the day to get some exercise or reflection in, whether that be running, or meditative activities such as yoga. As well as eating healthily, eat what foods you actually enjoy - If you want chocolate and cakes and sweets, have them! Check out the recipes on our blog for some cheap, easy and vegetarian/vegan student meals here.
Self Care - Be Kind to Yourself!
Most importantly, make sure you are kind to yourself. There is so much pressure to have a productive lockdown, but remember that you come first in your life, and you must be lenient and forgiving towards yourself. Whilst all the above are important, remember just because it's a lockdown you don't need to be studying 24/7, you don't have to workout everyday, and you don't need to be perfect! Take the time to care for yourself, do a facemask, watch a movie, go for a walk, anything that you actually enjoy doing! Be good to yourself for the remainder of this lockdown, and try to remain positive - we can all get through this together!