10 tips on staying sane while on lockdown from someone who was housebound for years!

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If you read any of my Lyme Disease posts (here), you will know that lockdown is pretty much nothing new to me! I had spells of being bedridden over the almost 20 years that I've been ill and months and months of being housebound. I'm still sane, still happy and still positive so I am hoping that I can give you some tips that will see you through the next few weeks/months (we just don't know yet how long this will go on for!).

1. Start the day with gratitude. I know this might sound a little 'hippy dippy' however, it works. If you currently are well (safe from Covid-19 or any other illness), you should be extremely grateful as there are so many people ill at the moment and so many people are worried about loved ones. Be grateful that if you have symptoms, that you can get a test and that it is free! Believe me, even on the days when I was too weak to get out of bed, I would still count my blessings - waking up to face another day is a gift. I have a comfortable bed and a husband who couldn't be kinder to me - those are blessings even on days where I feel like I'm on my last legs.

2. Appreciate nature. I am so grateful that if Covid19 had to happen, at least it happened in Spring when the day light is lasting longer. Also, the dawn chorus is such a beautiful way to start the day - just listen to the birds and how happy they are and it can't help but put a smile on your face. I love seeing the blue sky, daffodils and other flowers blooming, buds on plants/trees - Spring always brings hope and shows us that the world will keep turning no matter what happens.

3. There are some positives to the Covid19 - have you seen the clear canals in Venice? Plus the fact that all of the restaurants and cafes are now closed, most of us are cooking from scratch, which can only be a good thing. (Most) people are being kinder towards others (checking in on elderly neighbours) and more respectful (don't get me stared on those not practicing social distancing). Hopefully this will continue when the crisis is over.

4. If you are not ill, try to keep your morning routine as normal as possible. I know that when you are ill, it's not always possible to do this - skincare routines go out the window and it's bed to sofa (if you're lucky enough to be able to get out of bed). If you are not ill and working from home, try to set up an office space that is away from your kitchen or living area (if possible) so that you can close the door behind you at your usual finishing time and leave it until the next morning. Try to get outside for some fresh air, even just for 5 minutes, during the day to get away from your desk.

5. If you are not ill and are not working from home, now is the time to do the jobs that you have been putting off. Marie Kondo and Mrs Hinch weren't wrong when they recommended decluttering and cleaning and how good it is for your mental health. If you have some paint in your garage, touch up or entirely repaint those areas that could do with a lick of paint. Declutter all of your drawers and wardrobes - you will rediscover some old favourites and divide what you have into piles of what to keep, what to dump/clothes bank, what to give to charity and what to offer to friends/family.

6. If you are ill, write a list of al of the things you plan on doing when you are better. They can be big plans (travels) or small plans (being able to wash and dry your hair yourself) - they just need to mean something to you so that you will get a great sense of achievement when you complete them.

7. If you are lonely, keep in touch with friends and family on WhatsApp, FaceTime or even just texts and emails. Also, if there are people who don't make you feel good about yourself or are basically frenemies or toxic, now is the perfect time to phase them out of your life.

8. Self-care. This can take so many forms - for some, it's exercise, for others, it's reading and just having that time to catch up on hobbies that you have been putting off. For me, it's all about a good pamper and I have a post coming soon on what I'm doing to make myself feel better. Not taking care of yourself, seeing your skin looking grey and hair looking greasy will do nothing for anybody's self esteem! Even when I was so ill that my husband had to bath me, I asked him to use my favourite bath products and body lotions so that I would feel a little better.

9. If there is something that you have always wanted to try but never have, now is the time to do so while you have some more free time. You may find that you enjoy it and will continue to do it after the Covid19 crisis ends or you may find that actually, it's not what you thought it would be. If you have always wanted to start a blog, why not do it now? It's so easy to start and you will find that people have more time on their hands to read and I think that people are trying to avoid social media a bit more at the moment as there is so much 'fake news' and anxiety-inducing crap on there.

10. Watch something funny daily. Honestly, I think that laughing not only boosts your mood but also your immune system. Even on days when I was bedridden, my Husband and I would laugh - whether at a story, a memory, a show or a film. It honestly does you so much good.

I could go on and probably write a book on this but I'l stop at 10 tips. They might not be revolutionary but they will help.

I'd love to hear how you are getting on? Are you enjoying being at home more? How are you feeling?

Thanks for reading! 

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