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London 13 January 2021

Seven self-care tips for property guardians to stay sane during the pandemic

The news is again dominated by harrowing stories about covid-19. Combine that with keeping to the government's lockdown by staying at home as much as possible, can lead to a rise in stress and anxiety.

The pandemic reports can be overwhelming. The steady stream of coronavirus figures and reports can take a toll on anyone's mental health. This, combined with staying at and working from home, can leave us feeling isolated and in many cases stressed and anxious.

Try these free and simple ways to take care of your mental wellbeing - some tips for protecting your mental wellbeing in 2021:

Break up the stream of negativity and boost your mood. Some days, skip the bad reports and seek out happy news, or funny-peculiar stories that have nothing to do with the news but make you smile. Or check out stunning scenes of nature, cute puppies, kittens (apparently the most sought-after pictures on social media), or head for websites like The Poke, which takes the mick out of everyone.

Put yourself in someone else's shoes and do something you've never done before

You can google almost anything and add ‘GoPro' so you can be as part of any adventure you wish for (POV or point of view, it's sometimes known as). For example, watch this avalanche ski-jump, and dare tell us your heart didn't skip a beat.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwbP9WLX3fY  Google (videos) for roller coaster GroPro, and this was second on the list, and explains why the authors of this article can't stand them.

Do something different.

Learn something, study it, on a wealth of free YouTube courses. Astronomy, Spanish, Sewing, building a website, keeping newts, cooking Moroccan cuisine, playing backgammon, Italian art, or how to yodel - there is a course out there for you.

Turn off your notifications

Turn off notifications - it is impossible to relax while your phone is constantly pinging. Set a clear time for a quiet, social media, phone-free period.

Set aside time for yourself

Taking a break from your usual routine; speak to someone you haven't spoken to for a while, and reset. Getting some fresh air and exercise, even for just 30 minutes, can vastly improve your mood.

Community

We spoke with several guardians after the first lockdown and they all said that living in a community where they offered support for each other helped enormously. One guardian, a police officer staying in a former hospital, found the diversity of ages, occupations (from key workers to artists) and interests, a key factor in that feeling of being in a supportive community. Most guardian properties have formed their own WhatsApp groups to exchange contactless messages and requests.  Try a group film night (in your own rooms) and then review together online. If there's a few musicians present, organise a covid-secure music evening  from your front doors, by your windows or outdoors. Create an ongoing support community.

Finally, do not be afraid to ask for help

Be kind to yourself. If you feel overwhelmed and that you cannot cope, tell someone. That's not being vulnerable, that's actually saying ‘I'm being strong and I'm admitting that something is happening to me'. Check in with others and ask how they are doing.

Raising your own issues helps raise awareness around mental health with all of us; we all need tools to manage stress. 

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/

https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/stress/what-is-stress/

https://www.webmd.com/balance/guide/tips-to-control-stress#1