Changes in our bodies and mind: being kind to yourself during lockdown

Change can be a scary thing: it can cause all sorts of negative responses in our body which can have an impact on our mental health and wellbeing. For me, it is about embracing those changes and figuring out what makes YOU feel good, which will help you get through this period that we refer to as ‘The New Normal.’

The ‘new normal’ for me has been very different to my usual working week. A typical day as a school teacher would involve me working at one hundred miles per hour from the moment I wake up  to the moment I go to sleep. Not exactly great for my mental health.  So why, now that I have slowed down, do I feel worse? Recently, my days have been full - not with my usual chaotic commitments, but with overwhelming feelings of guilt and anxiety. Am I doing enough? I have been sat at this laptop all day - why haven’t I got much to show for it? I wonder what everyone else on my team is doing? Should I check in? Will they be ok? 

But the biggest change- the most difficult change for me and I’m sure many others- is the changes I can see in my body. Being from a bodybuilding background, I am no stranger to seeing drastic changes within my weight and appearance; my body weight has fluctuated significantly over the years, and there has always been ‘something’ to diet for - that special party, that wedding, that holiday. But lockdown leaves all that in a sort of limbo. ‘There’s no point in eating healthily or exercising - I’m not going anywhere or seeing anyone. All my special occasions have been cancelled, it’s a waste of time. I feel sad and my coping mechanism is eating food - I don’t want to look after myself and fuel my body properly.’ And sure enough, I watched my body change and get heavier. 

Recently, I have been trying hard to accept these changes - I have read many books based on body positivity and intuitive eating (I have listed these below) and followed a lot of Instagram bloggers dedicated to self love and acceptance. I have also been working hard to be kinder and less critical of myself, which is important in our work and home life. And I have LOVED challenging myself in this way - and made a lot of progress since my days of dieting for bodybuilding competitions and working 7 days a week with no time off. 

Now, I feel that I have found a healthy balance and routine, and wanted to share some tips for anyone who is feeling out of sorts in regards to their physical and mental health. 

1. Get moving in a way that makes YOU feel good! - I have always, always been a fan of exercise, but got stuck in a rut with weight lifting after competing sucked the enjoyment out of it for me. With the gyms being closed, we need to get creative with what we can utilise. Yoga has been a lifesaver for me, not only does it release the pent up anxiety that I’m holding onto, it creates space for some ‘me’ time whilst also being good for the body.  I have also gained a new found love for HIIT workouts- high intensity interval sessions designed to get your heart rate up and those endorphins running! 

2. Take some ‘me’ time! - This might seem silly since a lot of us have found ourselves with a lot more time on our hands, but actually, it is really important to set aside that time to do something you actually WANT to do. That may be going for a walk, drawing, reading that novel you’ve been meaning to pick up, trying out that new recipe - or something completely different! The world is your oyster at the minute (well-sort of!) and YOU can choose what to do with it. 

3. Accept the change as inevitable - If you are like me and find it hard to accept things that you can’t control, then this one is tough! I find that I am constantly comparing myself to my former self, whether that be the way I looked a year or two ago or what I was able to do before the lockdown which I have taken for granted in the past. It’s important to reflect but also to move forward - I have accepted that I will never look the same as I did 5-10 years ago and I am ok with that now! I have accepted that everyone has experienced drastic change and that I’m not missing out or going at this alone. Focus on the now and your present goals. Change doesn’t have to be a bad thing after all. 

​4. Everyone is on a different journey- don’t guilt yourself! - I think it is really important to remember that we are going through a difficult time at the moment and everyone’s journey is different. If your friend has managed to start a new exercise regime, if your colleague has been sat at her laptop for 8-10 hours a day and been really productive, if your mum has managed to decorate her whole house - it doesn’t mean you should! If you don’t feel like moving or being active or productive- that DOESN’T MATTER! Use the time for you only and stop worrying about everyone else. Some days we feel like sitting in bed watching Netflix- other times we get stuff done! 

Remember, the main focus of this post is that you need to do what is best for YOU. 

Thank you for reading :) 

Book List 
The Goddess Revolution- Mel Wells 
The Comparison Cure- Lucy Sheridan  
Just Eat It- Laura Thomas