10 tips for getting through a COVID winter

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In the midst of lockdown number ?, with shorter days and the icy bite of winter, it is all too easy to feel sorry for yourself and allow boredom to set in. The reality is that there is plenty to do in order to not only survive but hopefully thrive during this winter season. Here are some of my top tips that I hope help to see you through this time:

1. Choose your feel-good

In recent years the Danish term Hygge (pronounced hue-guh) has become synonymous with the idea of cosiness and taking comfort from your surroundings on dark winter nights. Some things which can help engender this feeling are:

• • Wrapping yourself in a warm blanket and you could go further and invest in a weighted blanket, which are known to help relieve stress and anxiety as well as induce better sleep.
  • Lighting candles and using fairy lights can not only provide more subdued lighting to help with feelings of calm but also aesthetically enhance your indoor environment. Why not buy yourself a bunch of flowers as well to inject some colour into your home?
  • Thick socks or snuggly slippers both add to the cosy feeling, as does getting comfortable in your pyjamas or sweatpants. I personally avoid spending too long in this sort of clothing as I find that full days spent this way often leave me feeling out of sorts and slobby. For those who have been working from home all the way through the pandemic, like me, I recommend getting shoes for indoors. Slip-on trainers work well for me as they are just as easy to wear as slippers but have more support. I have Skechers similar to these you can view here. I also try to wear more structured clothing for most of the day – even jeans can put me in a more alert and productive mindset.
  • For a good night’s sleep, there are fewer things I find better than fresh bedding. Sinking in and savouring that freshly washed smell really helps put me in the right frame of mind for sleep. For colder nights take a hot water bottle with you to bed or, in my case, a wheat bag, which you put in the microwave for a few minutes. I find the warm wheat smell really comforting and you can get scented ones such as lavender. I’m a big fan of lavender, you name it and I have coined the market. I burn lavender incense in the lounge an hour before bedtime, I have some handmade lavender pouches (as seen in the image at the top of the page), body wash with this fragrance, and essential oil for use on pulse points. One other thing I try before bed is the ‘Organic Night-time Latte’ by Pukka: a blend of ashwagandha; carob; malty oat; nutmeg; chamomile; and (you guessed it)  lavender. For me, this is a very soothing bedtime drink.

2. Getting outside

However delightful the indoors, it is a good idea to get outside regularly, where possible, for fresh air and a dose of Vitamin D. Vitamin D levels are of course lower in winter but they are there and this combined with getting outside is not only good for your well-being but for your physical health too. Whilst the Danes have ‘Hygge’, the Scots have  something called ‘Coorie’, which is all about embracing the outdoors before taking extra benefit from the cosiness of the indoors. The term  ‘Coorie-in’ is often used, meaning to snuggle in. Outdoor activities may involve a walk amongst nature or more extreme activities like wild swimming in rivers, lakes or the sea.

3. Self-care

With our lives becoming increasingly demanding and more people experiencing stress or anxiety, self-care has never been more important. This is taking time out for yourself, whether that be curling up with a good book and your favourite hot drink, taking a bath or spending some extra time on your skincare. I am the world’s worst when it comes to skincare but I have recently purchased some items I would recommend, including Your Best Skin Bauble – Clear Collection from Tropic who make all natural, vegan and cruelty-free products. This bauble makes a perfect Christmas gift for someone or a treat for yourself, so check me out trying the products on my IGTV and find all the latest products and promotions with Tropic Ambassador – Jess.   

4. Listening to music

Music can have many benefits. I usually have some on in the background when I am working, as complete silence feels strange, whereas music (not too loud of course) helps me feel to connected and subconsciously more motivated. Slower music can provide a sense of calm when feeling stressed or needing help to relax on a rainy Sunday afternoon. Other times your favourite club classics are ideal for an impromptu dance around the kitchen or for making the chores more fun, whilst getting those endorphins going. If you are missing live music, lots of artists are now doing ticketed virtual gigs like Kylie Minogue’s recent ‘Infinite Disco’. Here are some more coming up – live streamed concerts.

5. Slowing down

Even in lockdown we might be busy or feel pressure to achieve things. It is really important to slow down sometimes, even if only for a short period. This might be taking yourself to a quiet space for a few minutes and doing some deep-breathing; particularly useful when you feel stress getting the better of you. When you have a little more time, meditation is so beneficial. Sitting quietly with your eyes closed and simply focusing on the breath is more restorative than you may think. It can help quiet the mind and not only provide calm but also sometimes clarity. If you’re anything like me, your mind is very busy and only focussing on the breath doesn’t mean your racing thoughts just stop. The point is that it is still of benefit to take this time out and allow your mind and body the opportunity. After doing it several times you will probably find that it becomes easier to acknowledge yet deflect those thoughts as they come in. The Calm app has lots of meditations to choose from , including for sleep.

6. Beat the blues

Whether stresses in your life generally, the extra challenges of lockdown and restricted ways of life, or SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), finding the positives can really lift your spirits and even change your reality. Have you ever heard the phrase ‘your thoughts become reality’? It is true we have to deal with difficult circumstances but trying to train your brain to have a more positive outlook can stop you thinking yourself into a negative self-fulfilling prophecy. It certainly takes perseverance and in many ways it is harder to think this way than to sink into the dark thoughts. I am guilty of this so I definitely need to take my own advice. Another benefit of training your brain this way is that you try not to add further unnecessary suffering to the already difficult situation by focusing on negative thoughts. Practising gratitude is a great way of doing this. Good times to do so for me are just before I go to sleep or first thing when I  wake up. Keep it simple and think of three things you are grateful for from the day that is ending or that you visualise happening during the day which you are waking up to. These don’t have to be big things and can be anything, such as being grateful that you are healthy today or that you spoke to a friendly stranger.

7. Moving your body

During these dark days and with potentially no access to a gym it can seem impossible to stay fit and keep moving. I find that if I can incorporate movement into the day, it not only helps to keep me in shape but boosts my mood as well as providing a sense of achievement. It is also known  to help relieve stress, support your sleep and improve cognitive function. If time is an issue then combining your outdoor time with exercise is the way forward. There is shorter window of opportunity on these winter days but if you can try to get out into daylight even if for just ten minutes and go for a walk, a run, a bike ride or whatever you enjoy, you will notice the difference.  For exercise classes, there are now lots on available online. Some of my favourites are Disco Yoga,  Barre Balance and The Studio by Jamie Kinkeade. (You can also find The Studio on YouTube).

8. Find time for activities you enjoy

We may not always have the time to do activities we enjoy or find new ones. This could be your perfect opportunity. For me working from home means I am lucky enough sometimes to only need to step outside of my house and start taking photographs, which satisfies some of my yearnings for creativity. Perhaps you enjoy crafts and making things, baking, reading, playing games or participating in a choir online. That said, I would caution against putting pressure on yourself to feel like you have to achieve all sorts of things and do lots of projects, particularly if you are working full time – even if it is from home. Everyone is different, as are everyone’s lives.

9. Stay connected

Human connection is vital to our well-being and this may seem more difficult to come by during these times, but it can come in many forms. Most connection is currently online, including things such as Zoom quizzes with friends, a Silent Disco, or work meetings on Microsoft Teams, but these are still important for our need to connect with others. A phone call can be an alternative, providing that screen break we all need occasionally. When it comes to socialising, nothing can beat face-to-face of course. Where you can, take the opportunity to meet up locally with one friend outside (or more when restrictions ease). This allows you to share time together in the most normal way we can at the moment, but at a distance of course.  You could both support your local businesses as you meet and get a takeaway coffee and piece of cake from cafés operating this service, or a stall in your area.

10. Escape

Spotted under Tess’s hand.

Yes you can escape but without breaking the rules. I love some escapism here and there, and this could be watching your favourite film or series, and finding new ones. I recently enjoyed Emily in Paris on Netflix, which is by the same producer as Sex and the City – Darren Starr. Winter’s Tale on Amazon Prime is a very sweet yet mystical film starring Colin Farrell, Jessica Brown Findlay of Downton Abbey fame, Russell Crowe and Jennifer Connelly. Recently my Saturday nights were sorted with Strictly Come Dancing. Although I wasn’t  at the Blackpool Tower watching it live like I was so lucky to do in 2019, I think you can’t beat a bit of glamour, sequins and ‘fab-u-lous’ dances to take you away from it all.

We may not be able to travel for now, but there is nothing to stop you from exploring England without leaving your sofa. From a virtual tour of a zoo to one of our best museums and galleries, Visit England have ’50+ Ways to help escape the everyday at home’.

I hope this has given you some ideas to keep happy and occupied during these crazy times, and most importantly to stay safe!

Let me know your favourite activities in the comments, which are helping you to prepare for these shorter days in lockdown or tiered restrictions.