6 TIPS ON HOW TO REMAIN POSITIVE AND REDUCE LONELINESS
Author: Robert Murray (March 2021)
The Covid-19 pandemic has brought uncertainty, stress, unemployment, loneliness and isolation to all. Here are 6 tips on how to remain positive and reduce loneliness during these tough and unusual times.
Tip No. 1: Call on Family and Friends
Keeping in touch with friends, neighbours and family is more important than ever. It’s really important for your general well being and helps combat loneliness. It’s an opportunity to connect, or using the pandemic as an opportunity to re-connect, with others. Bear in mind, we’re all in the same position and all can benefit for a good catch up. Use video calls and if you don’t know how get someone to set you up. Once that’s done, it’s easy.
Tip No.2: Get out and exercise
Exercise has really positive effects on our general mood, feeling of well being as well as improving our overall health. It needn’t be strenuous exercise. A light walk, swim, gardening or an indoor workout all get your body moving and blood pumping and help reduce feelings of anxiety, loneliness or depression. We’ve exercise aids that can help you exercise and keep you mobile, such as; pedal exercisers that can be used while watching TV, rollators/walkers and mobility scooters that all deliver independence and give you the confidence to go outdoors with friends to get some fresh air and company.
Tip No.3: Set a goal or target
Setting a target or goal is the best way to encourage you to make positive changes and follow through with them. Decide to walk to the shops or church, or if you have a fit-bit or mobile phone set a target number of steps each day. This encourages you to maintain the changes you make.
Tip No.4: Take up a hobby
There’s never been a better time to try something new. We’ve more time on our hands so use that time to try something new. This is great for your brain and overall well-being. Try to paint, read books, make up a jigsaw or start to learn a new language. Some of these activities can be shared with friends and open up new possibilities for socialisation and fun.
Tip No.5: Embrace your Emotions
Remember it’s normal to feel negatives emotions from time to time, that’s all part of the human condition. We’re all having to deal with similar problems during this pandemic and the important thing is to recognise this and work around them. It’s not possible to remain positive and motivated, especially now. If you’re having a bad day, embrace it, in the knowledge that tomorrow is a new day and provides an opportunity to reboot and start anew.
Tip No.6: Treat/Reward yourself
In these times if you feel the need for a treat, or pick me up, just go for it. If you’ve achieved a goal, big or small, recognise it and reward yourself. This will provide you with some positivity and motivation to keep goings.
We hope this tips provide some help or insights to encourage you to change for the better. The more of them that you embrace the better you’ll feel.
Stay positive! 😊
