Tips to look after your Emotional Wellbeing

Things have changed dramatically over the past few weeks.

If you’re well, following social distancing and/or remote working you might be struggling with being inside or having a lack of variety compared to what you’re used to.
 
The Emails, WhatsApp, Messages and Social Media posts I’m seeing are asking for more ‘Face Times’, virtual meet ups and ideas for what to do to past the time.
 
Living Alone?
If you’re used to having a vibrant social life and now find yourself home alone only going out for essentials you might be finding this very difficult and ever so lonely, missing the physical proximity to other humans and what ‘social connection’ brings.

This isn’t going to last forever, be creative with your perspectives and what you can do.

Here are some tips and ideas for you:
 
Catch-ups & Check-Ins
Make a list of people you haven’t seen or spoken to in a while, catch up with them one by one with an audio or video call, check in with them and see if they are ok.

Love Dancing?
If you like dancing, get in touch with your friends who also enjoy dancing and have a live video party, tell them to invite other friends too and before you know it you’ll have one big indoor virtual block party.
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Trying to force those friends who can’t think of anything worse than dancing on camera to dance will go one of two ways, they’ll either love being taken out of their comfort zone or it’s a quick way to lose friends, so make sure to read your audience correctly by asking first.
 
The world revolves beyond you
If you are on your own, feeling isolated and lonely, what can you do to volunteer your time remotely. When we are alone it becomes so easy to be fixated on ‘self’ and what we’re going through. Helping someone else is a great way to help you to stop thinking about yourself or your own challenges by simply changing your focus.
 
With Family?
If you are living with family who you don’t usually spend much time with, things might start to fall through the cracks.

As well as spending time together make sure you also carve out time where each of you can have reflection time or is able to do what you would like or prefer to do.

Boredom, annoyance and irritation are essentially a state of mind.
Try to find a balance with spending time together and going it solo.
 
Home Schooling?
If you have children and are home schooling, don’t constantly worry about what you’re teaching them. If they’re meant to be a Lawyer, Doctor or an Astronaut it will happen.
 
If you’ve been sent guidelines and material for keeping them up to date with schoolwork by all means ensure this is done but remember you can also be creative with what you teach them. Life skills are also very important. Cooking, Banking, Gardening, House Work etc. There’s an incredible amount of resources online to help you, with more showing up each day.
 
Relationships
If you are a couple, some of the above also apply in terms of giving each other space as well as spending time enjoying each other’s company.
 
Think about the things you enjoy together can you also still do something virtually? I’m amazed at the resources being produced to help us through and how people are coming together with suggestions to keep and save relationships.
 
Golden Rules
If you are still struggling with being inside with your housemates, family or spouse, here are some golden rules
 
Practice mindfulness
Focus on the task you are doing in the present moment and only on that task. 'Headspace' is also a great App to help with mindfulness.
If you are worried or anxious about the unknown, practicing to stay in the present moment is very helpful.
Here is an exercise where you can focus on the 5 senses, helping you to stay in the present moment, which also helps you to focus on what is in your control.
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5 Things I see
4 Things I hear
3 Things I feel
2 Things I smell
1 Thing I taste.
 
Performing this exercise or similar whenever you need to, will really help you.
 
Squabbling?
If you’re squabbling remember to ask yourself do I prefer to be right or happy? Walk away before it gets out of hand, hide in the toilet or bathroom if you need to especially if your space is compact and find a way to laugh about it.

There is no right in this or any other situation, your aim is to live as harmoniously as possible for the duration.
 
Go outside
Make sure you get some fresh air, go outside follow the rules for exercising once a day, even if it’s just a short or brisk walk.
 
What else?
Fall in love with podcasts and audiobooks, look up recipes, cook something new with the ingredients you have, create a wish list or a bucket list and start doing things you’ve always wanted to learn. Chances are you now have time.

Just a few tips to get you started and out of your own head whilst pampering your emotional wellbeing as best you can also supporting those around you near and remotely.
 
Rosemarie