As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to grow and we’re all being forced to stay indoors to protect our health and that of those around us, it can be difficult to remain positive and motivated without fun times to look forward to.
Having been in lockdown for several months with no sign of the situation improving, you may be struggling to even get out of bed in the morning to face the day ahead, but rest assured, you’re not alone. In this guide, we’re going to provide a list of some useful tips on how you can stay motivated during the lockdown and make the most of the experience:
Stay connected with others around you
While you may not be able to physically see your loved ones, staying in close contact is essential for your mental health and wellbeing. When you’re feeling low, it’s easy to become introverted and shy away from social contact, however, having a short conversation with a close friend or family member each day can really lift your spirits. Thanks to the development of technology, it’s now easier than ever to stay in touch with friends and family from the comfort of your own home via video call.
Find a purpose
One of the main reasons why you may be lacking motivation during lockdown is because you don’t have a purpose to get up in the morning and this may ring even truer if you have recently been made redundant from your job. As a result, you need to give yourself a sense of purpose throughout this challenging time. If you have goals in mind, now would be the time to work on them, due to having so much time on your hands.
Alternatively, you could make use of your time by helping those in need. This may be by checking in on the elderly in the neighborhood to ensure they have all they need, volunteering or even starting up a fundraising campaign for a charity you’re passionate about. There are many fundraising ideas you can consider during lockdown such as online bingo night, knitting, walks or runs and even Fundraising Bricks.
Go offline and get outside
As there is very little to do while in lockdown, now is your opportunity to switch off from technology and enjoy the great outdoors. Spending time out in nature has been proven by researchers to improve mental health and wellbeing, which in turn will keep your stress levels down and can help you feel more motivated.
Get organized
While you may feel out of control as a result of the pandemic, focus on things you can control, such as your daily routine and goal-setting to help you retain motivation and a sense of normality in your life. If you didn’t have any goals in mind previously, now is your chance to set new ones and come up with a plan of how you’re going to achieve them. You could carry this out by creating a weekly plan noting small steps on how you intend to achieve these goals in the months ahead.