Wellbeing for young people during lockdown

Life is pretty crazy right now. We are all going through a global pandemic called Covid-19, a once in a lifetime (hopefully) experience, and this can cause lots of different emotions. The wellbeing for young people during this lockdown is more important than ever. You may feel more anxious, stressed, angry, confused, scared or depressed, and all of these emotions are normal and valid. However it is important to take care of yourself both physically and mentally. So below we created a little list of some tips to help get you through…

Stay active / exercise

The body was made to move. Movement and exercise are great for the mind, body and soul. Thanks to technology there are so many options available to motivate you to move, even in small spaces. Just hit up YouTube for a yoga video or Zumba workout, or download one of the many free apps for short burst workouts. If you are allowed outside, go for walks or runs. Challenge yourself to a couch to 5K run or to move at least once a day. There are no rules, just do what feels good for you. Even if you pump out the tunes and jump around your bedroom, this will elevate your heart rate and your mood.

Eat well & stay hydrated

Healthy food fuels your mind and body and with the right nutrients to help you feel good. Eating lots of fruit and vegetables when possible will help lift your mood. Did you know that your brain is made up of 75% water? Even in winter and when you are indoors you need to keep hydrated and aim to drink at least 2 litres of water every day.

Sunshine and fresh air

Vitamin D is vital to help you feel good. This can be hard when you are stuck in doors. If possible sit near a window and let the sun shine in on you. Open the blinds and window and let the fresh air come in.

Breathe, slow down and meditate

Taking long, slow breaths, practising mindfulness or meditating can help slow down are thoughts and reduce anxiety and bring about calm. Download an app such as ‘Smiling Minds’ or ‘Insight timer’ for guided meditations. You can also google the benefits of mindfulness and meditation to get a better understanding or examples of things you can do if traditional meditation isn’t for you.

Be kind to your self

Go easy on your self and practice self care. What is self care you ask? Well anything that makes you feel good and recharges your batteries. This may be taking time to read a book, cooking a nice healthy nutritious meal, calling a friend, or even not answering the phone when it rings. Take a moment to check in with yourself and ask ‘what do I need right now?’.

Stay connected

Although we can’t physically be around other people, don’t let that stop you from connecting socially with friends or family. Talk to people you trust – either by phone, zoom, messenger, WhatsApp, or whatever works for you. There are so many options now. If you don’t feel comfortable connecting a friend or family member right now, there are groups and forums you can use to stay connected to the community. ‘Reach out’ has mental health forums that are safe and created especially for young people to offer support.

Check in on others

If you are feeling strong and upbeat, then check in on others that you care about. Often when we take the time to care for others it actually makes us feel better too, win-win. You can also ask your friends how they are keeping busy to give you ideas.

Take a break from the news

It can be important to know the facts about what is going on and what you need to do. However it is also important that you don’t overload yourself with too much information, especially if you find it stressful.  If the news is causing overwhelming emotions just turn the news off or put your phone down and just ask someone to inform you of any important changes or information.

Declutter and creating a nice space

If you are spending more time at home it can be helpful to create a working space by decluttering your room. Put things away off the ground or table area, or use it as a good excuse to get rid of old built up junk. Create a clear space to exercise or for you school work. Having physically clear space can help create a clear headspace. IT doesn’t have to all be done at once, you can choose to spend 10 minutes decluttering each day until it is set up.

Sleep and routine

Sleep is one of the most important things to help with day to day functioning and health. Creating good sleep habits and a routine can help with mental health struggles. Having a bed time routine that starts at the same time each night and doesn’t involve electronics or blue light. Then have your alarm set for the same time each day, even weekends if you can manage it. Avoid napping if you have trouble sleeping at night.

Watch, read or listen to something uplifting

You may have to read lots for school or study, but when you can take some time to watch something light hearted and uplifting. You may watch a Netflix show and talk about it with a friend, listen to a podcast or audio book, or play your music and jump away those blues.

Learn something new

If you are finding yourself with lots of extra time, take the opportunity to learn a new skill or language. Watch YouTube videos or search for some free apps. You can learn pretty much anything these days on line, be creative; try your hand at some baking, origami, singing, or drawing.

Celebrate your achievements

Acknowledge and celebrate any achievements you’ve had no matter how small. Use any tips or tricks that helped you get through the first round of lock down. Share any positive ideas or teach someone else something new that you have learnt. Passing it on is always uplifting.

If it’s all getting a bit much… Speak to someone

If you are feeling overwhelmed, unable to cope, or you just need some extra support or information, then please ask for help. Speak to a loved one, a parent, friend or teacher, or reach out to a specialist youth service support listed below.

You can contact Empowered Existence and find out what the best option for help may be for you or your family.

Where can I get help?

Phone lines

Lifeline 13 11 14

Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800

Beyond Blue 1300 224 636

E-counselling

Headspace – www.eheadsapce.org.au or call 1800 650 890

Websites for more information, support and tips

Beyond Blue  www.beyondblue.com

Reach out www.reachout.com