Tips for good mental health at home during lockdowns

LIFELINE is encouraging everyone to implement daily practices to maintain a healthy lifestyle as the region grapples with lockdown 6.

The suicide prevention service and national charity received 711,600 calls from across Australia this year to date, a 20 per cent increase before the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2019, with 203,000 calls from Victoria alone.

According to Lifeline’s Working from Home Tool Kit “people may be feeling afraid, worried, anxious and overwhelmed by the constantly changing alerts and media coverage regarding the spread of the virus”.

To combat these concerns, Lifeline explains there are plenty of solutions you can implement to your daily routine that aid in maintaining good general mental health and mental wellbeing.

* Try to be generous to others in times of need as it not only helps the recipient, but it also enhances your wellbeing too

* Think of creative ways to stay connected with others including social media, email, and phone, while also maintaining regular exercise, eating well, and getting enough sleep

* Create a daily routine that prioritises things you enjoy. This might mean you get to sleep in a little, go for a swim in the ocean on your lunch break or even do things you have been meaning to do but haven’t had enough time to in the past such as reading that book, or watching that show.

Lifeline also highlights that some of these practices can be integrated when working from home.

Things like start and finish times are important because you can base your working day around them and aim for a productive shift.

Waking up more than five minutes before your workday is also a good option, allowing you to properly prepare for the day both physically and mentally.

Another tip is to get changed out of your pyjamas each morning. This will allow you to get in the right headspace for work and avoid getting caught off-guard during a video Zoom meeting.

Finding a routine will allow you to unwind and decompress at the end of the day which is important. Try to find ways to ensure you are still getting that important time whether it be to go for a walk outside or work on your balcony.

Give yourself regular breaks. It is important to step away from your desk during your breaks and don’t look at anything work related.
Try enjoying a cup of tea or coffee, or maybe ring a friend.

Lastly, it is also important to stay connected. Perhaps make a call rather than email, utilise platforms to stay connected with your colleagues and use videos not just audio.

If you require extra help or assistance adjusting to these hard times, either contact your local GP in the area or reach out to Lifeline on 13 11 14 who can point you in the right direction.