Life on the inside: 10 ways to boost your mental health during lockdown

The pressures and challenges caused by the ongoing coronavirus lockdown may leave many of us feeling overwhelmed and uncertain.

The Action for Happiness movement is proposing that people observe a “daily pause” amid the crisis to help look after their mental health.

Supported by historian Sir Anthony Seldon, co-founder of Action for Happiness, the concept would see participants spend two minutes each day to breathe, relax and reflect.

He said: “We need to be humans being, not humans doing. At this vexed time, it is vital that we look after our mental health.”

Everyone is different and will find their own way to cope, but here are a few more ideas Action for Happiness suggests that could help you care for yourself:

1. Giving to others

There is a long list of organisations and groups of people who need supporting during this pandemic. If you are able to, giving your time to support others or donating to a charity might give you a boost.

Action for Happiness says: “Doing things for others makes us feel good and activates the reward centre in the brain.”

A good place to start is to visit this website to find a volunteer community near you who are helping local vulnerable residents: covidmutualaid.org.

2. Connecting with family and friends

“Our connections to others help us feel like we belong and support our mental health, this matters now more than ever,” says Action for Happiness.

While lockdown means we are cut off from family and friends, technology can help you stay in touch.

Scheduling a phone or video call will give you something to look forward to and hopefully make you feel less isolated.

3. Exercising

Under the lockdown rules, everyone is still allowed to go outside for one exercise session each day.

Action for Happiness encourages people to take advantage of this daily opportunity to ensure your physical health supports your mental health.

4. Taking a pause

Under the “daily pause” concept, everyone is asked to spend two minutes, at 8am, focusing on breathing – inhaling for three seconds and then letting breath out for five seconds.

The aim is to help people be in the present and benefit from a few moments’ peace.

Sir Anthony said: “Taking just two minutes out of the day for a moment of mindfulness can help to set us on the right path for the day. We need to learn to be calm to deal with the tumult that surrounds us.”

If you are not able to take a pause at 8am, you are encouraged to find a couple of minutes at some point in the day to do the mindfulness exercise.

5. Trying new things

“Learning helps us stay curious, it also boosts our sense of accomplishment and self-confidence,” says Action for Happiness.

One positive from the lockdown is the innumerable ways that people have filled the long isolation hours.

This includes baking experiments, learning instruments, writing quizzes for friends and practising new languages.

Why not have a browse online and see what skills you can develop?

6. Setting yourself some goals

Action for Happiness says: “Have goals to look forward to, even if it’s a simple to do list each day, ticking off the things you have achieved will give you a boost.”

The loss of normal daily structures, particularly for people not working, might be leaving many feeling aimless at times.

Without putting too much pressure on yourself, shaping a list of tasks to tackle could help give you some direction.

7. Reflecting and finding resilience

Sir Anthony believes there is a need to “be grateful and reflect” during the current coronavirus lockdown.

“Those lucky enough to have a garden can listen to birdsong. Others can shut themselves in a quiet room,” he said.

“You can do this alone, with your family round the kitchen table or even over Zoom with friends.”

The message appears to be that people use the environment and connections they have to build resilience and find healthy ways to cope.

8. Embracing emotions

“Lockdown is full of emotional ups and downs, it’s OK if we remember that all feelings are our friends,” says Action for Happiness.

“Have a good cry if you need to. Then look for what’s good and bring some gratitude into your life.”

9. Learning acceptance

Action for Happiness believes that we should try to “put things in perspective” during the lockdown as much as we can.

“Focus on what things we have available and the things we can do. Choose to make the most of each day.”

10. Finding meaning

Action for Happiness argues it can also help to “be part of something bigger than yourself”.

Finding ways to engage with the world, where possible, can give you purpose during the lockdown.

This could be through taking part in the weekly applause for NHS workers, volunteering locally, or supporting others online.