Staying engaged and connected
Lifestyle changes and interruptions to our daily routine from situations we weren’t expecting can have an impact on our mindset and emotional health, even for the most resilient and easy-going people. This has been seen throughout the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide.
It is crucial to find ways to stay engaged and connected and to find joy during these periods.
Physical activity
Moving our bodies is great for not only our physical health, but our emotional health, and may become a valued element of your daily routine.
TIPS:
- There are many free resources online for home-based exercises
- Local councils usually offer free programs
- Classes can be done live online with others
- Make your own virtual exercise group
Staying connected
For some people, having quiet time at home is a welcome change. For others, especially if you are a ‘people’ person, being isolated at home can make you feel lonely or disconnected.
Here are some ways to try to keep that feeling of connection:
- Seeking genuine connections. While we may have friends and family that we contact on social media, we may not find strong connections through this platform. Consider calling old or new friends to have a chat, giving yourself time to enjoy a long conversation
- Having time away from social media if it is not a positive experience for you
- Organise group calls or video calls to connect with multiple friends or large families
- If you find it hard to approach others when you are feeling down, flag it with them so they can have your back
TIPS:
- Think about your phone credit or that you have enough data on your plan.
- The internet may be disrupted or slow. Map out some offline activities too.
Enjoying the little things
It is easy to be overwhelmed by everything happening around us. We have all experienced the explosion of information around COVID-19.
Re-focussing your thoughts can really help your mindset.
Some people enjoy being still and meditating. Others may prefer to do something more active.
Gratitude journaling
Some people really love this. Other people think it is silly. Have you tried it?
- Sit down at the end of the day to write down a list of things that you are grateful or thankful for.
- You can spend as little as 5-10 minutes every few days.
- The list doesn’t need to be full of big things. It could be as simple as, “wore tracksuit pants all day”
Three Funny Things.
This task is great for a group or for someone living alone. You can share your thoughts or keep them for yourself.
Find three funny things each day and either collect them, take a photo or write it down.
Staying engaged
We know that people who use time in isolation for hobbies generally feel better about being stuck at home. Do you have any hobbies? Could you add any house-specific ones to your list?
| Activity | What you may need |
|---|---|
| Gardening | Tools, gloves, fertilisers, seeds |
| Cooking and baking | Cookware, utensils, ingredients, recipes |
| Music | Access to music, headphones and/or speakers, musical instruments or new albums to listen to |
| Art and craft | Paint, paint brushes, pencils, colouring in books, paper |
| Drawing and sketching | Pens, pencils, paper |
| DIY home projects | Tools, equipment, safety wear |
| Games, video games, puzzles, cross words | Consider personal games e.g., sudoku, or games for the household to do together |
| Reading | Unread novels or access to an online library (are you a member of your
local library? Search for your council area and ‘library’ for more information) |
| Learning activities | Watching documentaries, reading, looking at family history, repairing things |
| Knitting and sewing | Yarn, knitting needles, patterns |
| Watching film and television | Access via streaming services, downloads or DVDs |
| Meditation or relaxation | Access to a meditation app or recording |
| Exercise | Weights, skipping rope, exercise equipment, sporting equipment or home-workout videos |
| Self-care activities | DIY manicure kits, bath salts |
TIPS:
- Prepare a checklist of tools and/or supplies you collect ahead of time.
- Try something new. Some people took the lockdown in 2020 as an opportunity to learn a language or a craft … and many tried baking sourdough.
- Do it together. If you are in a house with other people, you might want to do some of these things together.
- Do you have a library card? Libraries have many online resources as well as DVDs, audiobooks and magazines. They also have education programs and activities for children.
- Have you considered op-shopping for supplies? Second-hand shops are full of videos, games, craft supplies that could get you started for a small cost.
- If you are on social media, you can also find Buy Nothing or Swap groups in your area and organise some contactless pick ups.