Shielding Activities - Selfcare during Lockdown

Coronavirus has shaken the globe, with lockdown beginning in the UK in March. For the majority of people, this has now relaxed, however there are still lots of people who are still shielding. This applies to people who do not live with a disability, who are either at an age which makes them vulnerable, or they are caring for someone in a high-risk category, or perhaps they are choosing to shield to err on the side of caution. However, there are a lot of people living with health conditions which puts them at more risk of catching the coronavirus, or falling very ill if they did contract the disease.

Since millions of people are returning to what is often being referred to as “The New Normal”, sometimes it is easy for the media and general public to forget that people are still shielding in their own homes in order to protect themselves. The momentum supporting those in lockdown seems to have slowed down, so I wanted to write a little article with some ideas that might help anyone who is still shielding to keep themselves occupied until it is safe for them to go outside again.

Learn a new skill

Is there something that you have always wanted to do, but never got round to? Have you wanted to pick up a hobby for months but never found the time? Perhaps this is your chance! Whether it’s arts and crafts, a video game you’ve always wanted to invest more time in, baking, cooking, or learning an instrument, we have all been spending more time indoors with at least some sort of limitations on what we are able to do. Preston has just increased its lockdown measures again, so seize the day whilst we still can. The optimist in me hopes that nothing like this pandemic ever happens again!

Get some fresh air (if you can)

When I was still shielding, I was in my university halls, where we have no garden or space to go outside. However, if you do have a garden, it might be lovely to go and sit outside for an hour or so, weather permitting. If you are able, you could even do some light exercise whilst you’re out there, or plant some new seeds if you can get a hold of some. Watching your new flowers or vegetables bloom will be such a rewarding memory to take out of the lockdown experience. Also, if you have a lawn, why not take your lunch outside and have a picnic with your pets or the people you live with?

Improvise, adapt, overcome

Life has moved online since the world went into lockdown. We are so fortunate to be living in a generation where technology is as advanced as it is, which means that to some extent, a number of activities are now possible in a virtual setting. Lots of board games are available on apps or online (come and find me for a game of Words with Friends) as well as virtual pub quizzes too. I even went to my friend’s birthday party on Zoom! So if you’re ever at a loose end and you’re not able to access some of these activities in person anymore, it might be worth looking online instead.

Try to keep a routine

Oh, the temptation to sleep in until the early afternoon and spend the rest of the day in pyjamas, eating five or six meals a day. Routine will slip to a certain extent, and that is normal and to be expected. But as much as you can, it will make the eventual reimmersion into daily life after the virus a lot easier if you manage to maintain at least some semblance to your pre-COVID routine. Even if you shower and get dressed every day as you used to, this will hopefully help to keep your mental health on the straight and narrow, as well as helping to motivate you for the rest of the day.

Take a break from technology

How many box sets have you watched on Netflix since March? I have lost count. TV and films are great for escapism, which is probably why so many of us are feeling our eyes go square. Social media is also really useful for keeping in touch with people - family, work colleagues, coursemates, or friends who we haven’t seen since the beginning of the year. However, it can be mentally exhausting, as well as fatiguing for our eyes, to sit in front of a screen for several hours a day. If possible, take some time for yourself as well. Before the lockdown, were we really spending such a huge portion of the day in constant communication with those around us? Don’t forget about your own wellbeing as well.

Try to keep your spirits up

This has been so difficult. It’s really important to communicate our feelings and our struggles with each other. But if you are shielding, you are doing so because it is the safest or most sensible thing to do for yourself right now. Nobody has been through anything quite like this within our lifetimes, so to face a global crisis the way you all have takes immense bravery! I am so proud of everyone. I don’t know quite when, but this will end, and we will all be able to go outside and feel the sun (and the rain, since we are in Preston) against our skin, and have picnics in the park once more. I have faith in every single person that we are strong enough to get through this. Have faith, and don’t give up hope as much as you can.

Not all of these ideas are going to be suitable for everyone, and I am aware of that. Unfortunately there is no single answer for every scenario that we may be faced with during lockdown and shielding. But I wanted you to know that I haven’t forgotten that some people are still inside, and I hope that this has helped you if you are one of these people. Take care of yourselves, and hopefully I can see you again before too long!