Get a dog.
That’s it. That’s all I’ve got.
Dogs = joy and happiness. What more could you want?
I’m joking (not really).
But in all seriousness, we’re living in a time of unprecedented change and upheaval. And it can be hard to stay positive all the time, especially when the media is dominated by Covid-19 news.
So, I wanted to share some tips that work for me, in the hope that they’ll work for you too.
“Books are a uniquely portable magic.”
Maybe it’s because it feels like we’re all stuck in a Stephen King novel, but his words have never rung truer.
Most people know I enjoy a good book – it’s an escape.
I used to read a lot on my commute
(on the move). But since we went into lockdown, I’ve had to carve out time to read.
I know it’s tempting to go straight from your laptop to your phone and back again. But when even the dankest of memes are Covid-19 related these days, a book gives you a nice chance to explore another, less pandemic-y reality.
Unless you’re reading something like The Road which is an even bleaker reality than ours.
I try to take half an hour before bed to read as it helps me wind down after a day of staring at my screen.
If you’ve got a garden, balcony, terrace or just a sunny spot in your living room – try and find a comfy seat to settle down in.
If you’re not much of a reader but want to use this time to get into it, I’d really recommend exploring
Goodreads. It’s a great place to find interesting books suited to the genres you prefer.
Try it, you might find you enjoy it, and it’s not like you’ve got plans anyway…
Let’s get virtual
Whether it’s a virtual drinks or a
virtual tour of the Louvre, there isn’t much we can’t do online nowadays.
Despite not being able to leave the house, I’ve possibly done more pub quizzes in the last two weeks than my entire life before lockdown.
Did you know there’s only three capital cities in the world beginning with O? If you can name all of them, I’ll give you a virtual high-five. I got two.
What I’m trying to say is – keep busy! Get that
Facetime date in, organise that quiz. You’ll find yourself a whole lot happier for it.
A natural high
I know it seems like everyone has picked up running, but this doesn’t have to be Mo Farah marathon training.
It can be anything from yoga and meditation to a walk down the road – the important thing is finding what works for you.
A few things that work for me: I find
Yoga with Adriene really helps me wind down after a day at my desk.
Joe Wicks has some great 15 and 20-minute HIIT sessions you can easily do in your living room or outside to set you up for the day.
Popular studios like
Psycle and
1Rebel host IG live sessions everyday – I’ve got it on good authority the Psycle Barre class will make abs you never knew you had hurt.
Also, seeing trends like the
Run for Heroes 5K raise over £2m, when the original target was £5,000, was so incredible to see and be a part of.
So, whether it’s a yoga class with Adriene or a 5K with my dad, exercise helps keep me sane and positive.
Over to you…
Positivity can sometimes be hard to find. We’re all different and have different ways of coping with situations.
But, if there’s a silver lining to any of this, it’s that we can use this time to focus on ourselves.
So why don’t you start that book you’ve been meaning to read? Or have a go at yoga for the first time? You might surprise yourself.
Or…
You could always just get a dog.
