What lockdown can teach us

Although the pandemic has brought destruction to our everyday lives, this pause could help us change our lifestyles for the better.

We live in a world of fast-paced and stressful environments, with small glimpses of rest and comfort. Many people work in busy cities, bustling into public transport every morning to rush to work. Spending the day completing endless piles of tasks, stressing about workloads and rushing from one meeting to the next.

To then come home after another wrestling match onto a sweaty, claustrophobic train or bus to do more work. Whether that’s preparing food, going to the gym or cleaning the house.

We are bombarded with expectations to have a full-time job and a happy family, come home and keep fit, eat healthily, have a clean house and be prepared for the day ahead.

But where is the time for us?

Our day to day lives inhibit us from ever truly relaxing and slowing down and it is having a detrimental effect on our mental health.

The Mental Health Organisation shared the worrying statistic that “49% of 18-24-year olds who have experienced high levels of stress,” caused by comparing themselves to others, and “60% of 18-24-year-olds and 41% of 25-34-year-olds” shared their stress comes from the pressure to succeed.

The only times we get to rest are on our day’s off, we spend a few days of the week lounging on the sofa, socialising, household chores, eating our body weight in food, or drinking. All to commiserate for the long hard-working weeks we just endured.

Since the lockdown, I have discovered the importance of mindfulness. I am a worrier and constantly think about what needs to be done, where I want to be in the future and the long journey I have ahead of me. It drives me insane and makes me feel inadequate and unproductive.

I, amongst others, have struggled with this idea of being unproductive during the lockdown, concerned that we are not doing enough.

We beat ourselves up even in the times when we physically cannot do anything to help our situation other than staying at home. Our part to play in such a worldwide pandemic of this magnitude is to stay at home, but we feel we must turn into Kim Woodburn and cleanse the whole house or redesign the garden like Alan Titchmarsh.

The same goes for those working during this lockdown, whether you are on the front-line or working from home. We must give ourselves a break, the house may be untidy but your mental health is more important.

You're allowed to have an untidy house, a not-so-healthy diet and a cheeky glass of wine on a weekday if you want. You are allowed to destress in the bath and ignore the domestic 'problems' for a while.

There is no right way to deal with this pandemic, so do what is best for you.

As the Mark Black quote goes

“Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is relax”

so take this newfound free time to empty your mind and check-in with yourself.

Society is full of impossible standards that only lead to us neglecting our wellbeing and mental health.

Now that lockdown has forced us to slow down our lifestyles it’s time to think about what’s important to you, what makes you the happiest, what you miss the most and what you hope to achieve. Taking all this into consideration and when the lockdown is relieved you spend more time doing the things that you genuinely want to.

I choose to see lockdown as a break from reality, all those thoughts that gathered in my mind on the daily disappear and I get to do what I want.

Slowing down and being present truly benefits your mental health, allowing your mind that break from constant flutters of worries, anxiety and stress letting you just live in the moment.

Going out for a dog walk and appreciating the scenery, breathing in that fresh air and feeling every part of yourself in those true moments of bliss. It has been stated by Mind.org that going outside reduces stress, so let’s do just that.

I think after all this is over and we can slowly return to our normal lives we will have a new perspective on life, a new idea of our future and a new plan for bringing happiness to our lives.

So, whilst it is uncertain when we will be allowed to leave our homes properly, take every day as it comes. If you wake up unmotivated and desire to just binge watch Netflix or sunbathe in the garden, then do it. If you force yourself to do something “productive” you’re only going to tire yourself out.

If you finish your day at work exhausted then rest for the remainder of the day, if you feel up to doing something then do so.

Every day is different, perhaps tomorrow you will wake up with the urge to do some work, read a book, do some baking or gardening so do it. Allowing yourself your desires for that day will replenish your mind.

Remember, slowing down and resting is productive for your mind.