As we come to the end of lockdown, 3 it’s time to start preparing ourselves both mentally and physically for life ‘returning back to normal’. I think it’s important to note that ‘normal’ does not necessarily mean the same as before, and we should take what we have learnt over this past year to help improve our new normal. Ensuring that we start making small changes to our routine now will help to ease us out of lockdown, and hopefully reduce any anxieties that we may be feeling.
These 5 steps will guide you to getting back into tune with your body, boost your confidence and get you feeling good:
STEP 1: Start Filling Up Your Diary
One of the most important things when you’re trying to feel good is to look good too, they go hand in hand. Now that we have some dates as to when most places will be open we can begin adding to our diaries, so get that hair appointment booked! It is also a good time to organise outings with friends, having something to look forward to will help to brighten your mood and get you feeling yourself again.
STEP 2: Focus on Fitness
With gyms opening soon now is the time to start building your fitness back up, and getting your body used to some slightly more strenuous exercise than a walk. This will also help to mentally prepare you for going back as I’m sure some of you may be feeling a bit nervous, especially with spring/summer approaching. However, over lockdown you may have discovered a love for at homework outs and decided that the gyms aren’t for you, in that case why don’t you check out some of our fitness blogs for inspiration:
STEP 3: Care About Your Skin
Your skin is like a mirror reflecting your habits and behaviour, and studies have shown that over lockdown our bodies entered a physical-ageing overdrive most likely brought on by stress and anxiety, so it’s important to focus on trying to reverse these effects. In addition, there are many other factors that have contributed: a disturbed sleeping pattern, a change in diet and snacking, increased time indoors, and also longer periods spent in front of a screen. It’s important to acknowledge these bad habits and start to change them, we also have a simple skincare routine that can be added into your routine.
STEP 4: Declutter Your Wardrobe
One of the best ways to feel prepared for any new situation is to have a declutter of your space, clear space = clear mind. Now is a great time to go through your wardrobe and get rid of any pieces that you no longer wear, add some spring/summer items, dig up all the jeans that you have neglected over the past year and have a general tidy. By going through your clothes you will hopefully discover pieces you have forgotten about and gain some inspiration on post lockdown outfits, because I don’t know about you but I’ve been living in same outfits on rotation.
STEP 5: Love Yourself
Lockdown life has been incredibly difficult for each and every one of us in many different ways, so don’t be too hard on yourself. The big adjustments we have had to get used to came with a lot of unknowns and very little guidance, so it’s important that we take time to reflect on how far we have come and the lessons we have learnt. I for one have learnt to focus more on the things that make me happy, this can be anything from having a pamper day or reading a book, to doing some calming yoga.
Feeling anxious about the end of Lockdown? Get some tips on how to cope.
