For many of us, three months of living the quarantine life has felt like three years. Before lockdown, we relished the idea of staying at home—spending the days in snuggly loungewear and sweatpants, working from our couches and drinking endless cups of tea.
No make-up routine, no commuting and zero socializing, apart from the odd Zoom call. With nowhere to go, there’s no need to get a manicure or dress up for a big night out.
Being stuck indoors gives us freedom, and should make us feel more relaxed than we usually do in our normally hectic and busy lives. But that doesn’t seem to be the case.
Sure, the luxury of staying in and working from home is fine for a few days, but any longer than that can have a negative impact on us, according to mental health experts.
Many people are complaining of feeling unusually tired and low in energy and they’re lacking the motivation to do things. Each day feels like it’s merging into the next and life is beginning to feel like Groundhog’s day. Finding the energy to wash our hair is an achievement, even on a good day!
Quarantine life is taking a toll on our self-esteem and how we feel about the way we look. When we look in the mirror, we don’t feel attractive, either because we’ve experienced the Quarantine 15 or the COVID-20 weight gain, or we’re tired of looking at our ungroomed selves and makeup-less (or unshaven) faces in the mirror, and we feel unattractive in the baggy loungewear we’re stuck wearing all day.
It’s no wonder that so many people are feeling down, irritable and not in their best spirits. The new normal is causing them to feel abnormal.
So, what can you do to feel better and get out of this funk? How can you get our mojo back and prepare for the time when we’ll be allowed back into the world to resume life as we knew it?
Instead of staying stuck in the lockdown haze and fantasizing about going back to “happier” times, there are things you can do to feel good right now and stop feeling frumpy during the lockdown.
Avoid beating yourself up if everything isn’t going as perfectly or as quickly as you want them to. It’s not the end of the world if you can’t fit in your at-home workout one day or you forget to wash the dishes. Avoid negative self-talk and be kind to yourself. In this difficult time, it’s much more valuable and productive to cut yourself some slack and do the best you can every day.
Just because gyms are closed and you can’t attend spin class doesn’t mean you should let yourself go and sit on the couch, watching Netflix all day and spooning in a pint of ice cream. Exercising from home, running outside (while social distancing) and following a workout routine will not only help you stay fit and healthy but it releases feel-good hormones that improves your mood and boosts your confidence.
The headlines about the crises on our TV screens and newsfeeds can cause us to feel anxious and concerned about the uncertain future. You can stay informed without letting the hysteria get you down. Remember that this isn’t going to last forever and you can use this time as an opportunity to grow and develop – learn a new skill, develop a new business concept and connect with friends and family.
In the midst of a pandemic, focusing on our appearance may seem superficial but if dressing up and fashion are an important part of your identity and how you express yourself, it can be a great way to cope. According to personal stylist, Lindsay Edwards, “When we like the way we look, our self-esteem skyrockets and this has a ripple effect on the rest of our life, from work to relationships.” This psychological concept of attached value to what we wear is called “enclothed cognition.” So, go ahead and wear your favorite shade of red lipstick, get your hair done and wear some colorful headscarves and let yourself feel like a million bucks!
Being of service not only benefits your community but it can also have a positive impact on your mental health. It gives us a sense of purpose and helps us feel connected to others—we realize that we’re all in this together. Organize efforts to send food or supplies, support front-line workers, ordering takeout from local restaurants to support their business and fundraising can help those who are severely impacted from the financial fallout that’s happening all over the country.
Listening and creating music has been shown to have various positive effects on mood and mental health. If you need motivation to get off the couch, play some killer tunes from your favorite playlists and dance till you drop— you’ll instantly feel better and find it much easier to get going.
Social distancing doesn’t mean emotional distancing. You don’t need to be alone and isolated from everyone in the world. With the help of the internet and social media you can stay connected to friends and family. Pick up the phone or schedule videoconferencing sessions with your network of support. If you’re single, schedule video dates on the Say Allo app, where you can experience the intimacy of a face-to-face connection with someone you’re romantically interested in and get closer to finding that ideal relationship you’re looking.
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