How to cope during lockdown

Living alone during lockdown can test people’s coping skills.

Mental health needs to be prioritised.

Information and awareness project leader Masutane Modjadji from the SA Federation for Mental Health (SAMFH) shared some useful tips for self isolation:

1. Create routines and rituals for yourself to follow daily to help you protect your mental health and maintain your functionality.

2. Listen to your favourite music. This is a great way of integrating relaxation with your routine and can help declutter your mind.

3. Read good books that will keep you engaged, take your mind off your environment and transport you to another world. Look out for recommendations of good books from other people and consider looking for books online instead of just in hard copy.

4. Exercise is essential for preserving good mental health, so try to build exercise into your daily routine. Even small amounts of exercise at home can lift your spirits and have a good effect on your body and mind.

5. Despite people practising social distancing and isolating themselves, having conversations with someone you know can help recharge you and give you fresh, helpful perspectives on the world.

6. If you’re a parent, playing with your children allows you to connect to those closest to you. Through this you will learn from and about them, which will help give your life meaning and bring you joy. Quality time like this is always a good investment.

7. Engage in ‘deep work’, where possible, create a distraction-free environment, focus on on one task at a time to be as productive as possible, and be proud of your when you complete work.

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8. Set time aside for meditation and quiet contemplation, even just 10 minutes has been shown to assist with reducing stress and maintaining mental well-being. Try to schedule this before starting your day or just before you go to sleep.

9. Sharpen your concentration skills and resist distractions. For example, avoid checking your phone every time you get a message.

10. Take time to visualise, think and dream about important pathways for the life you want, review your goals, and refine them.

11. Try to limit your engagement with social media as it offers little value in return for the time you spend on it, and it could become addictive.

12. Contact your managers or colleagues if you are struggling with being isolated.

For more information on the SA Federation for Mental Health go to www.safmh.org.

Source: Masimanyane Women’s Rights International (2020). Staff contingency mental health protocol.)

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