Top Tips for Routine | Coping with COVID-19
In this video Chantal share top tips for creating structure and routine for ourselves in these uncertain times.
Video transcript:
Hello everyone, I am Chantal and in this video I am going to share some of my top tips for creating some structure and routine for ourselves in these uncertain times.
Lets face it, the coronavirus has forced our usual daily routines right out the window but there are some really good mental health benefits to having a daily routine otherwise it might feel like the days are merging into one, we might find ourselves overeating, forgetting what time it is, spending hours on social media just scrolling...just getting into bad habits. We might find ourselves feeling guilty, depressed or anxious. Keeping to a predictable routine can really give us structure; knowing what's next can calm our nerves and it can give us a sense of security or even a sense of purpose.
I recommend deciding on a schedule and sticking to it. Did you know that if you write down your goals you're much more likely to achieve them? That's why I like to create a physical schedule with timings too, and write down on it everything that I both want and need to do over the week.
Okay, here are my top tips for your schedule.
Set an alarm every day at a reasonable hour and give yourself enough time to get everything you need to do done over the day. Try to stick to a round about bedtime especially on weekdays.
If we crawl out of bed and stay in our pyjamas all day, we might hold on to that sleepy sluggish feeling. Have a shower to wake yourself up, get dressed into clean clothes. You will feel fresh and energised and ready for your day.
Eat three meals a day. If we aren't feeling great about ourselves it might increase our cravings for things that give us instant gratification such as junk food. Scheduling time for each important meal and making it as healthy as possible can help us to manage that stress and keep a healthy immune system.
Next tip, exercise. Incorporate into your schedule some sort of exercise every day. Go for a walk, jog, run, do home workouts. I do laps from my front door to my back door. Just make it work for you.
Another tip would be to schedule in work. Now work is different for all of us, it means something different...so there might be students at home doing set work, some of us are working our day jobs from home, some people aren't working or studying from home at all, regardless we can still schedule 'work' into our routine such as tackling that ancient list of things to do. All the things you said you would do when you've got time, now's the time!
Time to comb through your wardrobe and drawers, deciding what to get rid of. Time to sort out those cupboards. It could also mean learning a new skill or language or doing online courses. Just to add to that, if possible try not to work on your bed. Try to move around your house so that your mind can associate different spaces with different activities. For example, your room, your bed, with sleep. Or your garden with exercise. Or your living room or your desk with work. If you spend most of your day on your bed, when it comes to bedtime your brain might find it hard to shutdown and distinguish that it's now time to sleep.
By the way, try to make your weekends different to the weekdays. Most of us will go to school or work during the week and be looking forward to our weekends so make sure you fill as many things into your weekend that you will be looking forward to doing.
This leads me to my final tip which is a very important one; setting aside leisure time. Time for watching TV, spending time on your phone, catching up with family on FaceTime or Skype, meeting your friends on Houseparty. Keep busy with hobbies such as reading, writing, meditating, painting. Just don't forget all the things that make you feel happy and positive.
Well that's the end of my top tips video. Best of luck with your routines.
During times when much is unsettled I hope that having some routine will help you to feel that little bit more settled and in control. Bye for now.
Visit https://www.talkofftherecord.org for more tips, advice and support for young people in Croydon, Sutton and Merton.