Here we go again… It’s lockdown 2.0. We can’t help to bring back memories from when we first got to grips with the Coronavirus.
Mental health and a sense of community encompass most of everything we do at Helios Retreats. As we head into the second week of a month-long of social restrictions in the UK, we asked the best tips from Helios experts on how to keep you motivated and sane throughout November.
Sarah Highfield
Move Your Body
Try to keep as active as possible during lockdown. Schedule time in to each day for exercise & movement, whether it's a home workout, a jog in the park, or a brisk walk in the fresh air - or all three if you can! Physical activity is so important for both mental and physical wellbeing, it's a valuable tool in helping you to remain calm and continue to protect your health during this time.
Eat Well
Make the most of having extra time at home to spend a little more time on cooking healthy delicious meals, which nourish and support your body. Try to eat a balanced diet from a wide-range of foods, including lots of fruit and vegetables, whole grain carbohydrates, lean proteins, a little dairy and healthy fats. Stay hydrated too.
Follow Sarah on instagram @yogise
Stay Connected
Lockdown can be incredibly isolating, especially for people who live alone and even for people who are living with others. Make sure you stay connected to your family and friends throughout this period, and with today's technology, there's no excuse not to with FaceTime, Whatsapp, Zoom and Skype at your fingertips. If you know anyone who lives alone, keep in touch with them as best as you can.
Follow Joe on Instagram @iamjustjoe
Joe Davies
Tip 1
Get outside every damn day. A walk in the park or just around the block, but get a change of scenery.
Tip 2
Never underestimate a good meal. With all the extra time there is no excuse to not cook the odd meal from scratch.
Tip 3
Make calls and catch up with people. Call a friend you've been meaning to check in on, everyone needs to talk
Emma Jones
Fill your cupboards with nutrient dense food
You can only eat what you fill your cupboards with. Reduce the amount of higher sugar and fat foods, and replace with delicious fruit, veggies, beans, pulses and wholegrains. Eating well is good for both your physical and mental health, leaving you feeling energised and happier throughout the day.
Follow a routine
During lockdown, it’s important to create a routine and give your day some structure. Try to get up and go to bed at the same time, aiming for 8 hours sleep minimum, each night. Schedule in your lunch breaks and time to move, stretch and exercise. This can be anything from an online fitness class, a long walk, or a 5-minute desk stretch. I find setting alarms throughout the day helps.
For anyone struggling with sleep, try peppermint tea, turning screens off at least 1 hour before bed, and Egyptian-cotton bed sheets ;) you spend a third of your life in bed, so you may as well invest in comfy sheets.
Daily habit for enjoyment
Make sure you're doing something for yourself, at least once a day.
Making time for yourself is so important for your mental health. We want to avoid going to food for emotional support, and instead, rely on enjoying activities that make us happy. Over lockdown I've found a new love for reading, so I'm going to make sure I have time for this each evening.
Follow Emma on Instagram @energywithemma
Follow Dylan on Instagram @builtbydylan
Dylan Rivier
Create a routine for yourself
One of the hardest things for me became training. For the first time in my life, I found myself lacking the motivation to train, continually 'putting it off till tomorrow'. I had everything I needed to train and zero excuses - but I had 'all the time in the world' which ended up being my worst enemy!
Bringing back routine into my life was the best thing I could've done. Obviously, you don’t need to fill your calendar, but little things like scheduling in meals and training will go A LONG way.
Take each day as it comes
Trying to plan too far can get extremely frustrating, especially when you're dealing with an unknown! For us in Australia, lockdown went from 4 weeks to almost 9 months. Try planning when the deadline gets continually moved further and further back.
Try to keep (semi) regular work hours
Working from home can actually be great, but when the lines between work life and home life become too blurred you begin to feel like you're never really clocking off. That can lead to all sorts of issues down the track. As hard as it can be sometimes, try to switch off from your emails, close your computer and silence your phone at night. You'll sleep better, be more productive and overall in better mental shape.
The message is clear;
Eat well, keep active and check on your social environment as frequent as possible!
We wanted to reassure you one thing, the Helios family is always here for you.
Together, we will get through this pandemic like a boss!