No tears for the tiers – lockdown tips

As London and other places have moved into tier 2 and restrictions become stricter, many feel their freedom is being taken away again. Is it people’s freedom at stake though or our lives? I mean… we are social beings so I know it is a struggle to stay apart but what if all this effort meant we are saving a loved one’s life or indeed our own?

I wrote about collective responsibility at the beginning of lockdown so I will try not to repeat myself here, and instead reflect on coping mechanisms. Many friends mentioned the part they struggle with is the idea of having to spend a long winter pretty much confined to their own homes with very limited interactions with others and the outside world. Whilst the thought sounds far from fun, if I had to summarise how I’m copying with the idea, here is my two pennies’ worth:

• I take it one day at a time. I hardly ever think of ‘another six months of lockdown’ or anything of sorts. There is really no point as we don’t know how things might unfold and the only certainty is what’s here in front of us right now.
• I try to keep a routine which includes good food, plenty of water, daily meditation and some form of exercise, as well as staying connected to the people I love.
• I cherish my time outdoors, even if I only have time for a short walk in the park. I find that time outdoors soothes my soul and calms my mind.
• If I’m really down, I ask for help. People are not mind-readers so it is not fair to expect others to pick up on your struggles. I know I can reach out to friends and family – even if it is just with a text message. Sometimes all you need is a virtual hug.
• I give myself time to navigate the uncertainty, because – whilst things are far from perfect now – what’s important is how we react to the situation we are facing, not the situation in itself.

I hope this is somewhat helpful to those who are struggling out there.

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash