It is fair to say we’re living in a crazy time. In one way or another, the pandemic has affected absolutely everybody.

We've had to adapt to living with Covid-19 restrictions, and almost a year on this can still feel overwhelming. Whilst some are finding themselves with a lot of extra time on their hands and not a lot to do, others are busier than ever -  key-workers are still going to work, parents are learning how to home-school and some may feel like they haven’t got five minutes to take a break. 

Whichever end of the spectrum you might be, it is completely normal to feel uneasy or anxious or just plain fed-up! Despite us starting to get used to lockdown, it is important to remember that this is not a normal situation and it’s okay to feel overwhelmed sometimes.

In this post, we share our top tips to help you keep positive and tackle the lockdown blues. 

Allow Yourself To Be In The Moment

Feeling tense? Take a moment to take some deep breaths. When we are stressed or anxious, it shows up in our bodies. You may notice that you feel tension in your shoulders or that it is difficult to take a full breath. Set a reminder on your phone and make some time to practice a breathing exercise. This article by Healthline offers 10 examples you may like to try. 

If you are constantly busy and feeling overwhelmed, you may also benefit from taking a few minutes to write down your thoughts. It may sound silly, but simply having a list of things in front of you can really help to visualise and prioritise the things you need to focus on. It may also help you to manage expectations of what you are able to achieve. Work through your list one thing at a time and remember to ask for help when you need to.

Encourage Yourself To Keep a Routine 

With many of us spending more time at home, it can be difficult to stick to a normal routine. You may feel you’re juggling a bit of everything and struggling with motivation, but that is OK.

Our homes are our safe places where we are used to relaxing but in this scenario, we are bringing work, school and all our social lives home with us! It is normal to feel overwhelmed. 

Try putting together a new routine and build your ‘new normal’. Giving yourself just a few things to do each day is a great way to feel a sense of achievement. It doesn’t have to be strict - now is not the time to be pressuring yourself! Even something as simple as making your bed, going for a walk or taking some time to practice your skincare routine every day can really beneficial. 

Take Some Time For You

We are all trying our best to adapt during lockdown which can be really challenging. Whether you’re rushed off of your feet with lots of responsibilities or are sat wondering what to do yourself, it is important to remember to take some time for you.

Allow yourself some time to relax and show yourself some kindness. Have a bath, treat yourself to a cup of tea and a biscuit or listen to some soothing music. Even just five minutes can make a positive impact on your mood.

If you’re looking for a way to relax and show your skin some extra love, you may like to take a look at ARK Skincare’s Jade Facial Tool. The ancient self-care beauty ritual Gua Sha has been used for several thousand years as a natural way to achieve skin health and provide a radiant, youthful complexion. It can also be a therapeutic way to relax and unwind.

  The sweeping action of the jade tool against the skin stimulates blood circulation and encourages lymphatic drainage. With regular practice facial tension is relieved, the jaw line becomes more defined, fine lines are reduced, skin is lifted and de-puffed. You can learn more about the benefits of Gua Sha in one of our  previous blog posts by clicking here. 

Practice Positive Self Talk 

It is normal to feel anxious or a bit low at the moment. There is lots going on in the world! We are all living in the most peculiar times. Just remember that things will get better. You may not feel 100% everyday but it is important to know that you are not alone. Remember, nobody has a ‘how to happily cope with the lockdown manual’ ...we are all just trying our best. 

This article about positive self-talk is well worth reading. It gives some great examples of how you can turn negative thoughts into positive ones and ways you can improve your internal dialogue.

You are doing your best. Be kind to yourself. 

Reach Out To Others 

It’s no secret that lockdown can be very isolating. We are all missing seeing our friends and family and being able to do normal things. It may feel like there is very little to catch up on at the moment as the days and weeks can be so similar, but even so, reaching out to others is still really important.  

Pick up the phone and give a friend or family member a call. Sharing your thoughts and feelings with others can make you feel so much better. Even a quick conversation with a loved one may be everything you need to pick yourself up and it may even make their day too!

Make Some Post-Lockdown Plans 

As we’ve said before, it’s important to remember that this won’t last forever. It may take a long time for things to go back to normal, but happier times are coming. You may like to think of some fun things you can do after lockdown to keep you inspired.

How about planning a day out with a friend or family member? Perhaps you could research some different places you might like to visit or plan something nice you might like to do for yourself. Having things to look forward to is a great way to help you keep moving forward. We will get through this.

 You can learn more about ARK Skincare and our full product range by visiting arkskincare.com!