We’ve been working with our university clients over the last couple of weeks to share ideas and tips for parents now trying to juggle their new role as teachers – in a confined environment where their children cannot leave the house.
It occured to me that a lot of the advice shared relates to us all (those of us who are being responsible and following the rules by staying at home anyway!!) It’s an uncertain time, our daily life is all over the place and most of us are experiencing a huge range of emotions from fear, frustration and anger, to disappointment and anxiety, and we’re venting those frustrations on the other members of our household because we (and they) cannot escape anywhere else to vent.
So what can we do to stay sane, and to preserve the health (mentally and physically) of those in our households?
Routine
Routine is really important during such disruptive times, and not just for children. It allows us to keep some control, or feeling of control, of our lives and to keep ourselves focussed. Obviously these routines can be a lot less strict than they were several months ago, but without having some kind of framework, what is to stop us from logging around in bed all day?? Try to get up at the same time everyday, make the bed, and follow your normal routine – even if that’s a little later or slower than it used to be.
Exercise
It’s really important to keep active and not spend all day and evening curled up on the sofa. Contrary to what a far-too-large number of people seem to believe here and further afield, we are not supposed to be leaving the house – even for exercise. However, there is plenty you can do at home, whether that’s in your garden, living room, or bedroom. My trainer @joel.neale has some great routine for all levels on his Instagram, and there are a huge number of other trainers and gyms sharing their favourite workouts too (Joe Wickes is a bit too late for us here in UAE – unless you fancy a lunchtime burn!) Personally I’m following the same routine that I had before – weights Sun, Tues, Thurs and a HIIT style card on Mon, Wed, Fri. Find someone that works for you and follow their sessions so that you have a set programme and will get a feeling of accomplishment when you are done – plus if you share your workout, a lot of these trainers will be only too happy to support, coach and encourage you – and share your content and help expand your online reach at the same time!
Meditation
It’s one of those things that has become increasingly popular over the last few years, and for good reason. Even just sitting still for ten minutes every morning can help clear your mind, reduce anxiety, and focus your brain. Again, there are lots of people and apps out there who can help guide you with this. I personally like the Headspace app, although after doing a yoga retreat last year, I was recommended a daily dose of pranayama (breathing exercise) and meditation which I am now using this time to get back into, and which I really find helps me start the day right, and clear my brain. (It doesn’t last as long as I would like it to at the moment, but hey, it’s a work in progress!)
Regular meals and breaks
Having boundaries/time limits to work towards helps you to achieve more, you can plan out your workload/jobs for the time period you have, then stop, rest and recharge over lunch. Being based at home, we have no excuse not to take the time to make ourselves a healthy nutritious lunch and experiment with new ideas. Eating something that you’ve invested time and effort to make, and which is wholesome and nutritious will help to reduce snacking (not prevent – I wish, but at least reduce that fridge creep!) Take the time to sit and eat your lunch with the people in your household (or do a video chat with friends and family if you don’t have anyone in your house) and appreciate that you get to enjoy and savour a lunch with others – rather than rushing through a takeaway lunch al desko. Give yourself regular breaks after each task achieved – even if it’s just to make a cup of tea.
Fuel you body right
Now that we are limited our trips out of the house, most of us (I hope) are now only doing a weekly food shop, and in order for this to be successful, we need to plan out our meals. Personally I’m enjoying experimenting and trying out some of the recipes from the many recipe books I have (cooking does not come naturally to me – but I actually get an amazing sense of achievement and pride from it – plus I do love food!) I’m also browsing through Pinterest, and finding recipes for any products I have that we need to use… We’re sticking to healthy, low carb, wholesome and low calorie (mostly!) for our meals, but making sure they are delicious big filling meals. We also made sure we were stocked up on ‘healthy’ snacks as it seems impossible to go one day of lockdown without a treat or several! We’ve got low calorie popcorn, chocolate dipped rice cakes, diet fizzy drinks, and a few sneaky chocolates for when the sweet tooth calls! (No one’s perfect!)
Don’t stay up all night
Just because you don’t have to be in the office by 8.30am doesn’t mean you should stay up all night. It’s a slippery slope, if you stay up later, you sleep in later, your sleep isn’t as good and you’re tired all day and less likely to stick to your routines and achieve anything. It’s easily done, so try to make the effort to go to bed at the same time all week, at a time that allows you to get up at a decent time in the morning.
Differentiate the weekends
Do something different on Fridays and Saturdays to mentally flag the weekend. Keep work emails and projects for the week, and put them to one side for the weekends. Get up later, give yourself a day off from the exercise, or give yourself a completely different type of routine, make long video calls to family and friends, and spend some quality time with the people in your household having fun and unwinding. We invested in a paddling pool and are enjoying a dip in that on the weekends! We’re also trying new boxsets in the evenings and on weekends, and are starting new books and podcasts.
I’m no expert, but these are just the things that resonated from the advice that’s being given for children, and that I know personally are working for me, and maybe they’ll help others too. Let us know if there’s anything else that you would recommend!
