9 Tips to protect your mental health at home

To all of you working from home and self-isolating, hello. Finding a new routine and spending so much time alone can feel pretty daunting but I want my teeny tiny space on the internet to bring you joy and positivity so I'm writing a few tips to protect your mental health at home. I've decided to use this time to be creative and take care of myself. Due to a turbulent job with no set routine I rarely used to eat proper nourishing meals so my main goal during this period is self-care and nourishment. I hope these tips help you feel less daunted and more positive.

1. Create a workspace - for those lucky enough to work from home you're going to need to find a way to create a 'work-like' space that differs from your unwinding space. Finding a new routine that works is super hard, especially coupled with the added pressure of actually doing the necessary work. I suggest setting up your workspace - you don't need to have a desk or an office, I like to prop up the cushions on my bed and sprawl my books everywhere with a coffee on my bedside table, or you could sit at a dining room table or even make a floor space with duvets. I am currently using my dressing table to work from but it was cluttered with trinkets and makeup so I've rearranged and added plants and a candle to get into writing mode. Not everyone will work well from their bedroom so find what works for you but make sure you're comfy because you may be sitting here for a while. Tip: make it a tidy space!

2. Practice a hobby - like I said, I am using this time to practice my creativity and self-care and I have a million ideas on Pinterest that I've wanted to try but have been too lazy. Now seems like the perfect time to try something new! Even if you're working, there's still time on your lunch break, at the weekend or in the evening to practice something new or make time for a pre-existing hobby if you fancy. I always feel happier and nourished when I've been creative or made a change in my routine. Some of the things I want to try are: making clay dishes, sewing, embroidering jeans, baking and making wire jewellery but check out my creative Pinterest board for more ideas.

3. Home workout - a lot of us rely on exercising and movement to aid our mental health and overall well-being and just because we're avoiding gyms doesn't mean our exercise levels have to fall. There are plenty of ways to stay active at home. Some of you may have some dumbbells at home but using your bodyweight is super effective too. Check out Grace Beverly, Krissy Cela and Meggan Grubb on Instagram for their home workout videos that can be practiced anywhere! Tip: YouTube has tons of yoga videos too if you fancy something a little less intense. But remember that you absolutely don't need to workout, only do so if you want to.

4. Self-care - use this time to take care of you! Journal, write poetry, clean your house or de-clutter, write a gratitude list, do a face mask or cook something from scratch etc! Self-care looks different to each person so however you practice it, make time for it. My favourite form of self-care at the moment is wearing no make-up and falling in love with my natural self again and writing 10 things that I am grateful for each morning. Reconnect with yourself - what makes you happy? Practice self-care and reconnection in whatever form that takes to you personally - I like to take a bath, not because it's cliché and you can fill it with bath bombs and your problems will be solved, but because it gives me alone time to process my thoughts.

5. Stay in contact with your friends / family - use FaceTime or even send an old fashioned letter to your loved ones to remind each other that you're there for support. I can't wait to try the Netflix party! Make sure that no one feels lonely and if you see someone on social media struggling - reach out, even if you're not 'friends'.

6. Do absolutely nothing - if you're sick of people telling you to be creative, read, walk, do a home-workout or a facemask - then don't do it. This is your time to do absolutely nothing if you choose. I certainly will not be judging you if you wear your Christmas pjs and binge watch an entire series snacking on Easter eggs.

7. Get outside - you can still get some fresh air and you will definitely need some during this time. Fresh air always makes me feel rejuvenated so whether you need a break from work or you just need to move then take a walk, open a window or sit in your garden. It has been proven that 30 minuets of your day spend outside can have astronomical effects on your well-being and vitamin D is exactly what our souls need right now.

8. Detox your social media - only follow people that make you feel happy to be online. I've stopped following people that make me feel as though I'm mindlessly scrolling rather than consuming valuable content. I'm sure we can all relate to the increased screen time notification so let us find joy and a worthwhile use of it. I'm loving all the positive quotes at the moment and deleting anyone that mentions the word diet! I also suggest following or picking up a copy of the Happy Newspaper to consumer some brighter news.

9. Let go of control - as a past ED sufferer I have a big phobia of letting go of control. I like to go to the gym and eat particular things because it makes me feel in control of my body. For fellow people that have suffered with disordered eating, you may be feeling anxious about what you're consuming and how much you're moving. For others, control might come in the form of how much you're working, or you may feel anxious because you're not sure how stable your job is right now. For whatever reason, if you're struggling at the moment - try to let it go. Remember that this is not anyone's fault and there's nothing you can do so don't put unnecessary pressure on yourself to figure out the impossible. Have down-time to calm yourself and I would strongly recommend practicing mindfulness to feel present and self-aware.

Check out this Happiful article about embracing the art of slow living. Here's a little snippet from Georgina talking about how her family is adjusting to social isolation...

Self-isolation has been a massive change in lifestyle, and I’m aware I am fortunate to share this experience with my family. We have gone from leading an extremely busy lifestyle – juggling teaching, running a business, preschool and childminder drop-offs and pick-ups, and regularly seeing friends and family – to no rushing around and being able to spend time on everything we do. At first, having nowhere to be and no one to see felt daunting and overwhelming, but now it feels freeing. We take each day as it comes.

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I hope that you feel a touch more motivated and happier after reading these tips. Remember to take care of yourself during this uncertain time and support each other! Please, if you ever feel like your mental health is suffering then drop me a message!

Emmanuelle ❀