7 ways to beat the Christmas lockdown blues

7 ways to beat the Christmas lockdown blues

 

The UK and most of the rest of the world are affectively in Christmas lockdown and some of us are effectively living under virtual martial law.

 

We know that mental health issues, depression and even suicides are on the increase.

 

What can we do to overcome this? Here are seven quick tips to help you through this period:

 

Firstly, put things into perspective.

 

Christmas is a religious holiday, one of many “holy” days in the Christian calendar. Christmas can be celebrated quietly by attending a church service or joining one of the thousands of online services.

 

Perhaps it’s time to get back to basics and forget about all of the hype and overeating!

 

Secondly, get out and exercise.

 

Thank goodness we are still allowed to go out for a walk and get some fresh air and sunlight. Yes, there is sunlight behind the clouds, otherwise would be in darkness! Sunlight is very important to our physical and mental health, which is why the government even recommended giving vitamin D tablets to elderly people who have been caged in all summer.

 

Get back to nature. According to the mental health charity Mind.org, Just being around nature and green spaces, has numerous physical and mental benefits and can literally lift our spirits.

 

Mind advises that a simple walk in your local park, planting flowers, gardening or being around animals can:

 

·        improve your mood

·        reduce feelings of stress or anger

·        help you take time out and feel more relaxed

·        improve your physical health

·        improve your confidence and self-esteem

·        help you be more active

·        help you make new connections

·        provide peer support.

 

 

You can also ask your local council about taking on an allotment for a very small rental in order to grow your own fruit and vegetables. If you can’t get to the gym, a simple 30 minute walk every day will do wonders for your health.

 

We can also do many other exercises or physical activities at home, which includes housework, decorating or clearing out some junks and donating unwanted stuff to charity.

 

Thirdly, use this time to reflect and revisit your goals.

 

I’ve been listening to a podcast by Mark Victor Hansen, the co-author of the chicken soup for the soul series which has sold 500 million copies.

 

Mark has as many as 200 goals that he is working on at any one time. They are also big audacious goals such as providing education and scholarship for millions of children. At 72 he is still going strong and writing more books and setting new goals. He reminds us that if you don’t have a goal, you are not going anywhere in life.

 

Fourthly, read and listen to inspirational books and audios.

 

As Mark Victor Hansen said, the ability to read sets us free and opens our minds. For thousands of years, most people were not taught to read and were kept in servitude. Reading and writing were preserved for leaders and scribes. I know there are some great shows on TV and Netflix, but don’t spend all your time taking in “passive” entertainment. You also need to actively use your mind.

 

Fifth, keep learning and exercising your brain!

 

Your brain is like a muscle and needs exercise so do something every day to learn or stretch your mind. The author and TV personality, Giles Brandreth, tries to learn a new poem every day. He said that people often say that as we get older our memories fade, but it’s not a memory that’s fading but our power of recall. Research is now showing that you can fend off the effects of Alzheimer’s by using your brain more actively. It seems more people are getting dementia and Alzheimer’s in this TV age where we sit in front of a screen and expect entertainment to be fed to us.

 

Sixth, look UP and look ahead!

 

Did you knowing up, instead of down, can literally change our mood? You’ve heard the expression, “things are looking up” or you look a bit “down” my friend.

 

Looking up at the sky makes you realise that we live in a vast universe. Look up at the stars at night and the beauty of the ever-changing clouds during the day. Look up at the sun rising in the morning or setting at night.

 

Seventh, count your blessings.

 

Use this downtime to look up and reflect on the many blessings you have in your life. If you feel down and depressed remember that there are always people worse off than us. There are millions of people who were going to sleep hungry or have no shelter. The fact that you can listen to this podcast or watch it on Facebook and YouTube means you are better off than millions of people.

 

The best way to stop feeling depressed is to do something for somebody else. Volunteer or join organisations like Rotary, your local Foodbank or the thousands of charities. You could even just call up a few people on the phone to help them with loneliness.

 

In my experience, people who volunteer and help others are happier and seldom depressed even when they face their own challenges in life.

 

Have a safe, happy Christmas and a successful 2021!

 

Shops closed? Looking for a last-minute stocking filler?

 

There are more examples and practical steps being happy and getting rich in my book, Yes, money can buy happiness, I cover the 3 R’s of Money Management, the Money B.E.L.I.E.F System and much more. Order now on Amazon http://bit.ly/2MoneyBook or contact me direct for a PDF version.

 

If you’d like further information on wealth mentoring and coaching, how to survive the crisis and even quit the rat race, email me at Charles@CharlesKelly.net or send me a message through Facebook or my Money Tips Daily community. See more articles at www.moneytipsdaily.com