Lockdown blues

Feeling a bit meh…a bit flat?

We are too!!

Lockdown #4 has affected us all.

Lockdowns are really difficult and they can be really tough on folk.

Restrictions even when necessary are not easy to accept.

We thought we were just getting back to ‘normal’ but we aren’t.

This ‘new normal’ is hard to accept but we need to accept how we feel about it.

Many of us are experiencing the “I can’t be bothered’s”

We might be irritable and have a shorter fuse… ask those around you if you don’t think this is so

We might be feeling physically and mentally exhausted and drained…ask the pets waiting for you to get up

We might be feeling numb and unresponsive…uncertainty and loss of control increases anxiety and depression…if we notice that we are isolating, unable to face tasks and have no hope…then we need help.

These are some of the ways we can increase our happiness chemicals:

Dopamine = The reward chemical = eat, sleep, take a bath, achieve a goal

Oxytocin = The love hormone = socialise, altruism, petting pets, helping others

Endorphin = The pain killer = exercise, laugh, listening to music

Serotonin = The mood stabiliser = sun, mindfulness, nature

To feel better we can help ourselves (and we do) with

Routine - get up and move around your space (and outside) frequently

Focus on what you have - be grateful for something as simple as a hot mug of tea

Lighten up - enjoy eating carbs and upping your chocolate intake

Focus on today - for tomorrow has it’s own ups and downs

If you’re stuck?

Let’s talk!