Having recently written about how to survive the prospect of another lock down, i realised there was still plenty more to say. So here is part 2, looking at further ways to survive a lock down winter.
Lock Down Winter – Keep A Routine
Keep your mind and body active. There is little worse than drifting along every day without any purpose to each day. Plan out your days, and have something to get up for each morning. It is such a nice feeling to have achieved something when you sit down and perhaps turn on the TV at the end of a busy day. So much better than turning on the TV at 9am and watching it for 9 hours. Make plans with people you cannot see too. A lock down is not a reason to lose touch. Phone or video call those you would normally see, and keep active.
Plan For Future
What has helped me get by has been the thought of what i will do when it is safe to do so. When there is a sense of normality. Planning trips and holidays is good for the soul and your sense of wellbeing. Crucial to getting through a lock down that coincides with winter and dark, cold nights, is to appreciate the light at the end of the tunnel. To be aware that eventually this will be over. And if you saved money during this period, you can certainly make up for lost time!
Make Your Home Appealing
If you have to stay at home for a long time, make that experience as comfortable and appealing as possible. So if need be, you could use your time to spruce the place up. Make it as cosy as possible so that remaining at home is less of a chore. This process can include getting rid of clutter, which may help you make money on auction sites as a nice consequence.
Lock Down Winter – Treats Are OK
We often advise that you should not borrow to pay for treats or holidays or anything cosmetic that is not necessary. We also advise that those struggling with debt should avoid treats too. But for those struggling to get by during what is undoubtedly the most difficult of years, we understand that occasionally many of us need a treat to cheat ourselves up. And as long as you do not put yourself in financial difficulty, that is find. We understand. Do not feel guilty about it, but try not to lose control.
Lock Down Winter – Find Ways To Relax
You need to relax, You need to find the best ways to do that, whatever your mood. So decide what works for you. There is a wealth of help available online should you require. There are also many apps, such as meditation apps, that could be of assistance. It might be as simple as a nice, long bath and some relaxing music.
Reach Out
If you are struggling, then reach out. no one has to do this on their own. There are thousands of communities out there for locations, hobbies and other passions. Get talking, and see how it could change your mood each day.
Work Harder?
Hmm. Well i work freelance, and for one employer i can do as little or as much work as possible. So with nothing better to do, i really used the March-July months to get a lot of work done. It helped pay off debts and by filling the day i did not fall into a slumber or a rut. This way i was not watching TV or scraping around for things to do. So if you can fill some time with extra work, you will feel the benefits after this is all over, both mentally and in your bank balance.
DON’T Stockpile
It always amazes me how people stockpile on Xmas Eve, just because the supermarkets are shut for a single day! Well they are not shut at all now, so please stop stockpiling certain items for no good reason. There is plenty of goods to go around for everyone. Just because we have to keep our distance, does not mean that we will run out of items.
