Winning the Lockdown Lottery

So here we go again, back into the black hole of another national lockdown. Only this time it’s a bit different. This time we know what it’s about, know what to expect, have an idea of how the world will keep turning. But knowing all of that doesn’t necessarily stop how we feel about and react to the situation we find ourselves in. And it doesn’t change the fact that for many of us, some of the adaptations we make for lockdown will continue beyond as we accept a more flexible, virtual working world where we may be at home a lot more than we were. These adaptations aren’t just about working life, they also affect our home life, balance, general wellbeing and coping mechanisms, and whilst there is a wealth of advice out there with tips on how best to practically and logistically work from home, the emotions, habits and mind play we experience also needs to be tackled, and that’s the hard bit.

It’s a Game of Chance

During the first lockdown I was fully self employed and found myself with literally no work as the places I conducted my work were all closed. The first week or so was fine, but as time ticked on it got harder. I wasn’t always able to pinpoint how I was feeling and why, there was no consistency in my moods and no connection between activities I was doing and how that consequently made me feel – even previously guaranteed high activities, such as exercise, weren’t hitting the mark. It was like playing the lottery. A game of chance. The ‘Lockdown Lottery’ meant not knowing which Jo I was waking up to each morning and feeling totally out of control of more of myself than ever before. The unpredictability meant sometimes winning, sometimes losing, sometimes just about breaking even.

Create Routine and Purpose

In an effort to create some sort of routine and purpose (and hopefully sanity) I began to plan things each day. For me, what worked best was having a list of things I wanted to achieve. It wasn’t anything particularly exciting – it started with things like sorting out the cupboard in the spare room and cleaning the oven – all those things I’d been putting off for ages but now had all the time in the world to do (so no excuses not to do them).

My goal was to do three things from the list each week, and if I did I was winning. Trivial as these things were in the grand scheme of things, it felt good to see my low pressure list diminishing and the evidence of the jobs I’d completed. As time went on and the big jobs got done, the list became a weekly list. It didn’t matter when I did them, how many (if any) things I did each day, so long as it was done that week. My sense of achievement gave me motivation and so I then started to throw in different, more enjoyable things and this gave me balance. I was able to have the days where I felt demotivated and to be honest, a bit rubbish – I very much needed to allow those days – but I also had days where I had purpose – things to do, places to go, people to see (virtually, but still…).

In amongst all the madness I was starting to find things that made me feel better, or at the very least didn’t make me feel worse, things that gave me a range of purposes, allowed me to both relax and achieve, and helped me to cope better with the stresses of such a different, uncertain, unstable world. These things are micro-renewals, but I like to call them ‘breaks’ and ‘boosts’ and they can be for the brain, the body, or both!

Take Breaks and Boosts

I count myself extremely lucky that my lockdown circumstances have changed now that I’m a Delver (hooray!), but I am definitely still finding that incorporating some breaks and boosts into my day is helping me to be as productive as possible, to keep focused, to achieve and to quell the potential emotional rollercoaster that lockdown could unleash. Here are a few of my breaks and boosts, you’ll notice there are a fair few overlaps!

Brain Break                                                                                         

• Do a puzzle
• Go for a walk
• Read a chapter of a book
• Watch a bit of a TV programme you’re into
• Reply to a message
• Play the piano
• Paint by numbers
• Jigsaw puzzle
• Change tasks

Body Break

• Sit somewhere different for a while
• Go for a walk
• Unload the dishwasher
• Lie on the floor
• Stretch/yoga
• Get a drink
• Play the piano
• Get a drink

Brain Boost                                                                                      

• Phone someone for a chat – work related or not
• Go for a walk
• Learn something new
• Change tasks
• Have a break from the computer/screens
• Try a new recipe/food
• Play the piano
• Rediscover a childhood hobby

Body Boost

• Stretch/yoga
• Go for a walk
• Stand up for a bit
• Get a drink!
• Do some exercise
• Rediscover a childhood hobby

This very much comes from my own experiences, but it worked for me and I think it is highly adaptable to suit anyone. You don’t have to choose revelatory activities, you don’t need to be a lockdown overachiever, but it should be enough for you to notice the effect. For me, each micro-renewal gives me some sort of pleasure or satisfaction and it very much depends on the day. Some days I might wear leggings and a jumper to work from home, other days I give myself a little boost and dress as I would for the office. Some days I drink water, sometimes I’ll throw in the treat of a hot chocolate, just because that’s what I need that day to keep feeling good. Variety is apparently the spice of life and who doesn’t love a bit of flavour? Make it work for you, help your own wellbeing and increase your chances at winning in the Lockdown Lottery!

Get in touch on [email protected] to find out more about how Delve can help you with your wellbeing.