5 Staff lockdown tips for survival

The world has changed, and we are learning to re-adjust as best we can. We are deep within the pandemic now, with life still providing us with an uncertainty that can be overwhelming and exhausting at times. The effect of lockdowns, restrictions, and the illness's threat has been highly damaging to many people's mental health. Locations worldwide have had different levels of severity and impact, with some places like Australia still in heavy lockdowns and some places pushing forward and opening back up to the movement of life. No matter where you are in the world, it's likely your life has been impacted in some shape or form by the last year and a half.

Most of Australia in the past few weeks has had or is having a lockdown. Because of this, we thought it would be nice to provide some tips that helped our team personally stay healthy in mind and body.
Lockdowns can be isolating and tiring, which drives home the importance of self-care during these times. It's the way we create a sense of certainty in uncertain times. Creating routine and day to day patterns that support mental and physical wellbeing is more important than ever.

Here are a few things that helped our team get through their personal stints of lockdown:

Now, this wasn't just suggested by one person in the office; this was a suggestion from at least half the team. Which makes it something worth exploring. Personally, I am not a baker, but to honestly give this as a helpful suggestion, I dived in and did some baking!
I made banana bread twice this week; the bread itself turned out TERRIBLE. Still, the process and meditation of baking were highly therapeutic. If the mind is busy and scattered, it's a really great way to just focus on a task. Put your favourite tunes on, prepare to make a mess and either follow the recipe or don't follow the recipe. The end result hopefully being a clearer mind and some yummy treats to snack on.
This suggestion comes with a warning from our Socials Coordinator Gemma, self-control is more challenging when home all day!! She ate her whole batch of chocolate chip cookies in one hour. Luckily my Banana bread wasn't as tempting.

Take advantage of the limited time slot they allocate for exercise. If you have a pooch, this will set a good routine to get outside and move your body. If you are without the extra motivation of a furry companion, then dive deep into your self-motivation. Movement helps to clear the mind and soothe the soul while unlocking all those happy endorphins. The preferable setting for us is nature, a park or the beach. Location can go a long way in encouraging inner calm and a sense of connection.

This might seem like a pretty obvious one, but dealing with a pandemic can get depressing and pretty tiring. The stress at times can deplete our motivation to even take a walk. Try and stay committed; set a daily alarm or reminder if you need to. Once that alarm goes off, pop your activewear on and take yourself out and about for a hot lap around the block. Your mental and physical well-being will thank you for it.

We have all been there when our wardrobes start to overflow with the fruits of our outfit building labour. We all know those times when we are looking for something to wear deep within the depths of the wardrobe. The third item on the hanger kind of deep. Your search comes up with a long lost relic, low and I mean low jeans. Back from when Christina Aguilera had her moment defining the fashion of popular culture.

It may not be that extreme for some of you out there. Still, there is something so rewarding seeing your wardrobe colour coordinated, folded with every item you own you are aware of and willing to wear. The moral of the story, we can always benefit from a tidier, more organised closet.

If you feel yourself getting a little overwhelmed, stressed or agitated, head to the bedroom and focus your mind on the spring clean of the closet. You will feel better for it.

What's taking your breath away? We hope it's not worry and stress. When we feel anxious or worried, our breath tends to become a little shorter. We hold it in the body in moments when we don't even realise it. This can stress our nervous system out and add tension to the body. Not ideal when we are trying to chill the f out.

A few deep breaths can go a long way in calming the nervous system and re-grounding you into the space of the body and the mind.
We only want your breath to be taken away with a blossoming romance or good news that gives you a serotonin hit and floods the body with positivity.

Hot tip from the gals and guys in the office, legs up the wall with your deep breaths will send you into a well calm state of being. You'll be ready to take on the day headfirst, calm and collected.

Suppose you find yourself going too deep within the rabbit hole of news. In that case, take a step back. Overconsumption of negative new stories is simply is not healthy for our minds when consumed in significant quantities, put your devices away. Take a step back, put your phone away for down time and try one of the activities above.

Just remember that there is a lot of good in the world as well and joy can be found in the smallest moments of life. A simple but profound reminder when the mind is overwhelmed.

We hope these small tips have motivated you to get out of your mind and into a task that will help settle and calm the nervous system. The little things we do day to day really determine our sense of resolve and certainty in life. Stay focused, have fun and know you can get through this!!