Look After Your Mental Health During Lockdown
We’re very proud of how our colleagues across the UK and Europe are adjusting to remote working and making the most of the situation. Whilst ensuring that a usual day’s work is completed to the highest standard, staff are also managing to factor in family activities, hobbies, quiet time and fitness, all while adhering to social distancing rules. However, staying at home may become a little harder on your mental health as times passes, especially now that the weather’s brightening up. To help you stay healthy and happy, we’ve popped together some tips for looking after your wellbeing during lockdown.
Stay social
Thanks to social media, video calls and other digital tools, it’s very easy to stay social despite self-isolation. Since the very start, we’ve been recommending that colleagues take part in Virtual Cuppa Breaks on a regular basis. By scheduling them in advance with your co-workers, you can have a natter and a laugh despite not being in the same workspace. This is also a good time to get in touch with friends old and new, as well as call family members to see how they’re doing – a quick chat can make a huge difference to someone’s day.
Keep active
If you have a garden, this lovely sunshine gives you the opportunity to exercise outdoors without coming into contact with people from other households. Exercising outside also means that you’ll get plenty of fresh air and Vitamin D, which play a major role in keeping your spirits up. If you don’t have a garden, you could exercise indoors – we recommend checking out the weekday workouts by The Body Coach, which are perfect for all the family, and the empowering sessions uploaded regularly to YouTube by YogaDownload. And don’t forget about the sgsco fitness club on Strava!
Get busy in the kitchen
Take some inspiration from Liam Smith at SGS The Maltings and embrace this opportunity to make homecooked dishes every day. From a fresh and nutritious breakfast, to delicious family meals and a bit of baking here and there, we’re sure you’ll find it an enjoyable and rewarding activity, plus it can help you to save money. Also, if you grow some fruit and veg at home, you’ll have the freshest ingredients to hand and won’t have to visit the supermarket as often. Don’t forget to stay hydrated throughout the day too!
Surround yourself with greenery
Our colleagues have set up all types of workstations, from a temporary desk in the kitchen or living room, to converting a spare bedroom or loft space into a brand new home office. Despite being very different, what they all have in common is at least one plant nearby, or if you follow Liam Smith’s approach you’ll have a tray of forty seedlings on your desk! Plants are a brilliant way of cheering up a workspace, as they not only look lovely but also produce clean air and require a little looking after, which creates a wholesome bond between you and your leafy friends.
Incorporate mindfulness
If you find yourself feeling stressed, anxious, down or overwhelmed, it’s time to take a step back and assess the situation. Often enough a solution will appear in a very simple form, ranging from adjusting your workspace so that it’s more comfortable and bright, to stretching your legs more often, drinking more water, improving your sleep pattern, and having a catch-up call with friends during lunch. If this doesn’t work, get in touch with your line manager or HR department for advice, as they’re always ready to help and support you in any way required.
