life
THE HAPPY LIST
How to protect your mental health during lockdown. BY PENELOPE BIELCKUS
B
eing stuck indoors is never ideal, especially when the weather is starter to get warmer (in theory, anyway... does anyone else feel like April has been colder and wetter than January and February?), but during these unprecedented times the majority of us are staying home and protecting ourselves and others from the C word. And no, I don’t mean Christmas (give me a few months and I will be staying home and hiding from that too, though). Having to stay home and stay inside aside from brief daily exercise, which is allowed for the majority of people, can give even the most introverted soul a spot of cabin fever. As a professional traveller (I think this should be my new job title), it’s been pretty strange to not be able to travel, even just to Spain for the
GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE MAY 2020
weekends. This is the longest I haven’t left one place in... years? It’s a weird, weird world we are currently living in. Protecting your health and the health of others is the main reason for social distancing and staying at home, but being stuck indoors can really impact your mental health. The same goes for being without company (for some people who live alone), not knowing when we will be back to ‘normal’, being concerned for friends and family (or for yourself) and so on. Even something as simple as not being able to go and hug a friend can impact our mental health negatively. Not all is lost, however! There are a multitude of ways that we can protect, help and manage our mental health during these uncertain times. The main ways include:
•
Connecting with others
•
Looking after your health and wellbeing
•
Managing your media and information intake
•
Having a routine
•
Doing things you enjoy
•
Keeping your mind active
•
Getting some sunlight
•
Taking time to relax
29
