For many of us, the latest lockdown has been harder to deal with than the previous ones. Psychologists are reporting a rise in people experiencing the symptoms of sustained stress, including problems with sleep and concentration.
However, what are some of the things we can do to build happiness and resilience during these times?
1. Do something that’s good for you.
A great way to turn lockdown from a negative to a somewhat positive experience is to do something that’s good for you. Take up something that you’ll look back on and say, “If it wasn’t for lockdown, I wouldn’t have done that.”
Whether it’s taking half an hour to yourself each day to do something that will benefit your physical health, your mental health, or even financial health, find something you can do during this time that your future-self will thank you for.
2. Create things to look forward to.
In lockdown, things can feel very bland. Each day very easily can blend into the next. However, this is why you need things to look forward to.
Keep a feeling of anticipation by having something to forward to. Whether it’s a game name with your family, a phone call with a friend, or an hour reading your favourite book, having something to look forward to will help make your days feel like less of a grind.
3. Limit TV news.
Philosopher and Author Yuval Noah Harari has said,
“People rarely appreciate their ignorance, because they lock themselves inside an echo chamber of like-minded friends and self-confirming newsfeeds, where their beliefs are constantly reinforced and seldom challenged.”
Looking for information beyond the mainstream media is a great way to find different opinions of what’s really going on in the world.
Rather than getting information from the top-down, online streaming services like Rumble, BitChute and Odysee have highly interesting and informative videos from independent journalists, doctors and scientists to give you a broader perspective.
4. Think about what you can do rather than what you can’t do.
Many of the things we like to do like travelling, dining out or catching up with friends have been taken away from us.
However, rather than looking at the negative, think about all the things you still can do. Appreciate the smaller things in life and make each day the best you can with what you have!