Many of us are in lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic and although you’ll find plenty of social media posts and online content about getting in shape, there’s one part of our bodies that we seem to be neglecting - our mental health. 

Being locked down at home may seem like a paradise for some, but for others, the isolation can be very difficult to deal with. If you’re struggling with your mental health, or just want to make sure that you’re giving your mind the attention it deserves, then here are some things to try. 

Stay connected

Connecting with others is perhaps the single most important thing to do during the lockdown. Don’t just check-in with family or friend’s but really listen to how they are doing. There are a number of ways to communicate during the lockdown, including writing postcards, video chats, and of course simply picking up the phone. Alternatively, you can search counselling singapore, or something more relevant to your area, to find a therapist to talk to if you're really struggling.

Learn something new

Learning as an adult has been scientifically proven to improve a person's wellbeing, so why not use the extra time you now have at home to learn a new skill or to pick up a new hobby. Not only will this give you a sense of purpose and achievement but it will also help to keep your mind busy and away from things that could cause you stress or anxiety. 

Exercise every day

We all know that exercise is good for us, but now more than ever it is vital that we try to stay active. Exercise is a very important component of health and wellbeing and can help to release happy hormones that make us feel good. Make the most of no longer commuting by using a workout to help you transition from home to your work time, and if you have access to the outdoors, then use exercise to ensure you are still getting some Vitamin D. 

Reach out for help

Just because we are being told to stay at home does not mean that you should put off getting help if you need it. Whether you need counselling, drug rehab or simply someone to talk to, most of these providers are offering some sort of online or virtual service to ensure that they can still meet the needs of those who need them. Don’t wait until the lockdown is lifted to get the help you need, contact someone today. 

Try to limit your intake of negative media

Finally, many people find that their mental health is negatively affected by negative media. Try to limit your intake of social media and the news, especially if you find the discussions around COVID-19 to be particularly harmful. Instead, surround yourself with positivity, focus on the good that is happening in the world rather than the bad. If you want to ensure that you are staying up to date then give yourself a small time period to check the news each week, or inform a friend that you are coming away from the media and ask them to summarize anything you need to know for you.