Lockdown fatigue- Ways of staying healthy and motivated

With the anniversary of the first lockdown around the corner , many of us are facing lockdown fatigue We spend hours moving between screens, punctuating our time with a daily walk or the occasional trip to the shops.

Maintaining the motivation to be productive, and caring for yourself in the process can become challenging, so it is important to remember to prioritise your own wellbeing. Here are some tips to help you.

Exercise:

Staying active is fundamental to both your physical and mental wellbeing. Try building in some outdoor physical activity every day, even if it is only a twenty minute walk around your local park. Perhaps there is a new activity you have been curious to try, such as swimming in Crookes Valley Park, or embarking on the ‘Couch to 5k’ programme.

Moving about in the fresh air is a crucial aspect of maintaining a healthy balance between studying and personal time, and will improve your concentration when you do return to your studies.

Eating Healthy:

Our health and happiness are a reflection of what we put into our bodies. It is important to fuel yourself with the right foods- making sure you eat fruits or vegetables every day, and that you never skip breakfast (the most important meal of the day) are two easy ways to ensure you are giving your body the nutrition it deserves for keeping you alive throughout the pandemic.

You and your body have survived one of the worst years in living memory, so it is important to treat yourself right, and sometimes, just to treat yourself, full stop. Allow yourself to indulge in the foods that make you feel good, but balance these enjoyments with an attention to your nutritional needs too.

Stay hydrated:

Many of us are guilty of not drinking enough water. For such a simple task, it can be surprisingly difficult to consume the recommended two litres of water per day, especially when you are wrapped up in all the things you need to do.

Try to keep a glass or bottle of water on your desk at all times, and to have a glass of water with every meal. Keeping your fluids up will make you healthier, and will help to kick any feelings or lethargy.

Complete the small tasks:

As we spend so much time indoors, it can be easy to neglect the small tasks: we don’t feel like getting dressed, so we have another pyjama day; our skincare routine feels tedious, so we stop doing it; no one will see if we wash our hair or not, so we leave it another day.

Although much of our time is now spent indoors, it is important to take care of ourselves. In fact, for the first time, you need to complete these tasks for your own sake and not because other people will see you. Take this time as an opportunity to reclaim your beauty routines as self-care routines; make your appearance about you, rather than about the opinions of others.

Most importantly of all, keep going. It is ok to have bad days, or even bad weeks or months. Just remember: there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Edited by Michelle Almeida