Responding well
- Be present – take a moment to notice the sights and sounds around you
- Place an optimists view on what you have, see the real positives of being at home, reframe the negative
- Use positive language- I can do, I want to do, I will do
- See the sky and get fresh air – it is good to see the sky and stretch your legs, at least once a day, if you can go outside.
- Know your reactions and pick your response;
- fight = breathe, label your mood
- flight= breathe, focus on what you can control
- freeze = breathe, talk with friends, set mini goals
- Dress as if you were going to work – wash, shower and wear bright coloured clothes to make you feel strong and in control
Finding joy
- Connect with friends - get good at technology and using virtual meeting media i.e. Messenger, Zoom, Teams etc to see a friendly face, your family and friends. Choose a project that gives you certainty, peace or joy – any length of time is ok and maybe something you have always wanted to learn
- Reflect on the positive things every day, something new that you have learnt, something that made you smile
- Share these positive things with your friends and family
- Choose light and funny things to watch or read that make you laugh
- Have E-drinks/dinner/ morning tea with people that make you laugh
Being focused
- Create a space at home that is known and respected as yours – make it feel yours
- Make and stick to a routine – commit it to paper and make sure there is time for you and work
- At the start of the day set mini goals so that you achieve throughout your day. Break your day up into manageable ‘chunks’
- Focus on what you can influence and let things you can’t go
- Focus on the facts not the stories to reduce any anxiety and fear and prevent you ‘disasterising’
- Limit news and social media - have a trusted source that you can check and ignore the rest
- Think about how you and those around you are using their time - it is an opportunity to really connect with loved ones. Do something just for fun.
Body Strong
- Choose an exercise that you love or have wanted to try that you can do and build it into your routine and attached a reward so it becomes a habit. Start slowly and build up
- Eat well so you feel positive and strong
- Develop a sleep routine so you recharge your body and mind overnight
- Consider your alcohol intake and what is ok