If you feel like you need a slight break from the C word, you're on the same track as me.
At the point now where the news is no-go zone, it's a dark place in the world at the minute. Yes, I agree that it's so important to be up to date and aware of what's happening but I don't think that hearing the amount of deaths per day is good for anyones mental health.
So, here are my ways to avoid the negativity which just lingers in the air during this pandemic. All we need is tasks to take our minds off it and actually live a little and not just sit and wait for this to 'blow over'. Good times will come. We will have our lives back.
1. Outdoors
Whether you are lucky enough to be able to go for walks or not, feeling the breeze or the coldness in the air can make you feel that are real is this crazy world. Getting back into nature with gardening, collecting flowers or simply just sitting on the grass can make you feel calm and that you are stable to earth.
If you feel you can get some fresh air, get some trainers on and go for a wander. Go down streets you never have, walk into town to see the places you never have because its always too busy. If you feel up to it, go for a run, run as slow or as fast as you like and when you return back home you will have done something so productive and something you would have never done prior to isolation.
2. Stretch
Whether morning or night, stretch out your body. Youtube have some great videos that guide you through stretching, to be able to relax your body and stand that little bit taller.
3. Be creative
Make a sketchbook, that you can write, draw, tear up, stick rubbish in, something creative for your mind to relax and something for you to keep forever. Use this time to reconnect to things you can't do when you're working full time, in amongst the business.
Draw your past memories, write a story about them, write about your dreams every morning before you forget. Writing can be such a good form of therapy, release your emotions whether you cry on the page or simply just doodle. Do something creative every day to keep your spirit up.
4. Re-watch or discover your favourite series
Download Netflix or Disney+ and treat yourself to films you haven't seen since you were 10 or series you have rewatched 10 times over. This is the time to have chilled days where you can roll out of bed onto the sofa, watch Friends all day with 3 empty crisp packets by your side, looking as ugly as you possibly can because who cares... nobody is coming round to visit! If you're in the same position as me, once I get into working life, I won't get many more days like these.
5. Plan for your future
This is a great time to sit back and think about what you really want for your future.
Stop and think, is this life I'm living enjoyable? If not, write a list of things to improve on, whether it be fitness, friends, love life, life style, it could be absolutely anything. Set goals, where do you want to be in 5 years? What do you want to have achieved by next week? Plan a holiday. Make Pinterest boards full of hair goals, outfits, tattoos. Plan to spend more time with loved ones.
6. Cook
Although we can't go to the shops whenever we like, baking and cooking can be a brilliant task to pass the time. You'll find yourself forgetting about your troubles, either being frustrated because your cake is burnt or how amazed that you actually made a carbonara.
7. Stay connected
Please, check on people. Check on your neighbours, family, friends, put a post on your social platforms. The worst thing is for someone to be going through this completely alone. Give that family relative a ring because you finally have the time, ring your friends just because you can. Tell your loved ones that you love them. Send letters in the post. Smile at people on the street, for some reason people won't look you in the eyes anymore. Stay talking, keep normality.
Finally, the most important thing to remember is that this time is unnatural and its okay to have days where you just can't get out of bed. It's okay to be sad that your plans are getting cancelled. It's okay to cry and be frustrated at the world because we all are. It's okay to lie in bed absolutely terrified about tomorrow. We are all going through 150 emotions each day trying to figure out what the fuck is going on, but keep your spirits up and spread positivity, we are in this together. Stay standing.
STAY HOME. STAY SAFE. AVOID THE SPREAD. THANK YOU NHS.
Wash your hands, stay safe.
Char X