OVERCOME LETHARGY AND FIND YOUR MOJO AGAIN!
Having been stuck at home, unable to enjoy seeing friends and family, travelling, and meals out, lots of us feel sluggish and down. Emma suggests strategies to lift your mood again
Twelve weeks into quarantine, many of us are finding it difficult to motivate ourselves. Having been at home for so long, we might be feeling anxious, depressed, or stressed. And being stuck in such circumstances may well result in a lack of enthusiasm and loss of focus – but we can overcome it.
KEEP TRACK
Get your nearest and dearest to act as cheerleaders. Ask them to check in weekly to go over what you’ve done, as we often fail to notice our achievements. Write them in your diary, too. Set some short, medium and long-term goals to work towards. Mine include spending more time with my boys outdoors, building stronger bonds with friends, and training in new therapeutic areas. Long-term, my goal is to take my family backpacking on a shoestring budget around South Asia. These goals make me feel hopeful, so when my mood dips, I explore them.
SET SCHEDULES
Routine helps keep you on track, so make a daily plan and stick to it. Even committing to waking up and going to bed at certain times is useful. Rewards are important, so decide what treats you will give yourself each time you achieve a small win.
STOP COMPARING
If you believe everything that you see online, some women have baked daily banana loaves, home-schooled their kids to degree level, and trained for a marathon during lockdown. To reclaim your va-va-voom, stop comparing. Consider unfollowing those who leave you feeling bad.
MAKE A MOOD BOARD
Decide what inspires you. Think about goals that are going to be easy wins, and some that are going to require a bit more thought or time. As a family, we have a colourful inspiration board, full of pictures and words about what the future looks like. Do something similar, as it makes you feel more connected to the possibilities you are creating. These weeks have been tough, and we will still have a struggle in the coming months, but positive planning can remind you that your future can be bright.