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Asked by anon-283696 to Lisa on 2 Mar 2021.
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Lisa Grünwald answered on 2 Mar 2021:
Hi Elle, That’s a great question! It’s absolutely possible, I think the key to it is to try new things. Going for a different walk, trying a new hobby etc. Creating new experiences can definitely help you stay active. It is also good to keep in mind that physical health and mental health interact quite a lot – so moving around, putting your favourite music on and having a little dance etc can also help 🙂
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Comments
David commented on :
So, my tips (other tips are available…) would be similar to Lisa’s: while having some kind of schedule (and sticking to it!) is important, you can mix up little bits of it. So – try a new recipe, a new cuisine. Challenge yourself to find a new route to a destination that you go to everyday. Watch a documentary about a subject that you know nothing about. And a wee walk everyday works wonders, too…
Harry commented on :
This is a great and really important question! There are lots of things you can do! One of the things I’ve been doing is learning a new language! I’ve lived in Wales for almost 5 years now, and although I haven’t had much opportunity to use it through the lockdown, I’ve been using Duolingo to help me learn! If this doesn’t take your fancy, there are loads of other things you can do! My wife and I play games every Friday night! While we are partial to a video game, we also love to play games that involve more strategy such as chess, cribbage or scrabble!! Physical exercise is also great for you mentally! I’ve been really getting back into my karate since the lockdown which is keeping me physically and mentally fitter! I’m also partial to reading a book!
Myrto commented on :
Excellent question! I think that there are a lot of things that you can do to stay mentally active and its important to recognise what works and what doesnt work for you. For example, in my case, I know very well that I will not work properly if I wake up at 6.30am and start my reading or going for a walk. I will probably not even get up from the bed at that time! But for others, this works perfectly, so try and think where you can fit an activity within your schedule. Then, you can decide on the activity that you truly want to do. What are you curious about? What skill would you like to have? For example, there are so many applications and resources which help you learn a new language or a skill such as baking, knitting, painting etc. Again, pick a skill that you actually want to learn, and you have fun learning it. In my case, I love cooking and I have been experimenting with baking during the pandemic as I find the tasks very relaxing and I also get a nice reward once I complete all the tasks! I try and keep baking for Fridays evening and weekends as in this way, I have something else to look forward to after my work week. Another thing that can help you stay mentally active is being physically active. Start slow, go for a walk if you can, or put a video on youtube and dance around the house. Keep it fun and do it with someone if you can.
Victoria commented on :
All of the stuff the others have said is really great, totally agree! I usually try to exercise every day and have a walk too. Sometimes I do zoom classes with my friends so we keep each other motivated, especially when we’re lifting heavy weights and it’s hard! Sometimes if I go for a run I have a phone call with someone and that’s nice too and the time passes quicker! I also celebrate any achievement at all with my husband, either by having a nice/special meal or finishing work early sometimes! I’m very good at rewarding myself even for the small things and think this is really good for our mental health :).
Lisa commented on :
Some great ideas here! For me, I’ve been making sure I dedicate time to my arts and crafts. I find it really great for escaping from the world for a little while.
Dennis commented on :
Lots of fantastic tips already given by my fellow psychologists here. I just want to share that because of lockdown, I had more time to do gardening (which is also a good way for me to catch the sun becaue I’m vitamin D-deficient). I love the soil and plants. I also had more time to read all those books that I’ve meaning to read. Bottom line: spend your time wisely! 🙂