Keeping motivated can sometimes be hard on a normal day, but these lockdowns have handed us all some new challenges which are making it even more difficult to get through the day. Working from home, home schooling and everything else you need to do during the day probably makes you want to jump back into bed and pretend you have nothing to do… I mean what else is there to do, right? WRONG!! Here’s some of our tips to keep going in lockdown and stay motivated during the day:
1. Get up at a reasonable time and get ready for the day
Yeah, yeah.. we’ve all heard the “don’t stay in bed all day” one before but it’s super important to stick to a schedule! Not only does waking up late or sleeping in cause for a less productive day for a lot of people, it can also cause you to feel more stressed and overwhelmed. Also, try to have a shower and get changed out of your PJs to help set you up for a better day. Set yourself a goal of waking up at the same time every day and see just how much more you can get done!
2. Make sure you are eating three main meals a day
If you’re anything like me, sticking to eating three main meals everyday can be a challenge when working from home. When you’re right next to the kitchen and have a long to-do list it’s just quicker and more convenient to grab a snack from the cupboard and keep working. For a lot of us, we may be snacking on lots of processed foods during the day and next thing you know it’s 8pm, you haven’t had a break, you missed lunch and dinner and you haven’t fuelled your body with sufficient nutrients throughout the day.
Having three balanced meals* will not only increase your intake of nutrients, it’ll also give you a well-deserved break to get your mind off work for a few minutes and enjoy some time for yourself. *If possible, it’s important to try and create a balanced meal. This means making sure your plate has a good source of protein, a small amount healthy fats (unsaturated) and some different sources of carbohydrates.
3. Be mindful of your water intake
Water intake is extremely important for us because not only does water make up about 50-75% of our body weight, but it also helps to maintain pH levels, aids in the transportation of nutrients around the body, acts as a solvent for various chemical reactions, helps to regulate our body temperate and the list goes on! When you have so much on your mind, it’s easy to forget about your water intake, so here are some of my tips to keep those water levels up:
– Have a big glass of water as soon as you get up. This will kickstart your water intake early on in the day and if you keep that same glass with you, you’ll be reminded to keep filling it up and drink more water.
– Set an alarm or use an app. If you’re extremely forgetful with water on a good day, download an app or set reminders on your phone to keep you accountable. TIP: don’t just dismiss the notifications though, make sure you actually drink some water!
4. Stay active
Exercise is so important for our physical and mental health, especially right now when you’re likely not getting a lot of passive exercise in during the day! Getting outside and going for a walk, doing some yoga or stretching are all great ways to gently move your body and clear your mind. If you’re up for a bit more of an intense workout, it’s always fun finding a good workout on YouTube and following along, going for run, playing some games outdoors or, of course, dancing – the best way to keep active… duh!
5. Write a to-do list
This one might not be for everyone, but I find that when I make a to-do list as soon as I get up in the morning increasing my productivity during the day. Even writing down the small tasks (e.g. brushing your teeth, making the bed, putting the clothes on the line) can make the day less stressful by having everything broken down into different sections. Ticking off all your items throughout the day feels so rewarding and by the time you go to bed you have a list of all the things you managed to complete during the day!
6. Write up a schedule
If you’re super busy and struggling to navigate between work, home schooling, exercising etc. then one of the best ways you can help yourself is to make a schedule! Take some time out this weekend to sit down and work out a schedule, making sure you include some time for meals and alone time during the day. Just because you have heaps to do doesn’t mean you shouldn’t priorities your ‘you’ time (but more on that in a second). For example, you could have something along the lines of:
7am – get up and have some breakfast 7.30am – Write out my to-do list for the day and get ready for the day 8am – start work 12pm – start lunch break 12:30pm – back to work! 4pm – finish work and go for a walk 5pm – Start making dinner for the night 6pm – Eat dinner and relax with the family
This is just an example, but I find writing out a schedule like this helps me keep on track throughout the day.
7. Take a moment to breathe
Lastly, make sure you take some time to priorities yourself and your well-being. Times like these are extremely stressful and although it’s great to stay productive, it’s ok to feel overwhelmed and take some time out to do what you want to do, whether that’s just watching TV, reading a book, or doing some baking. Look after yourself and one another, and just remember – lockdowns aren’t forever. Let us know if you try out any of our tips and if they help you to keep going during lockdown!
