9 Tips to Help You Cope with Life after Lockdown

9 Tips to Help You Cope with Life after Lockdown Blog Hero Image

For a lot of us, the gradual easing of lockdown restrictions brings feelings of joy as we get back to the life we once had. But for some, it’s doing the opposite: bringing feelings of anxiety of getting back into the real world. Just like it took us some time to get used to life in lockdown, it’s going to take some time (and a little bit of work) to find our way back to life after it. Here are some tips to help make things a little bit easier.

1. Mind Your Body

It’s never been more important to maintain your strength and physical health in a time like this. Not only is proper diet and exercise important to your overall well being, they are the only things you truly have control over in any of this.

Focus on eating plenty of whole foods, drinking lots of water, and trying to keep takeout to a minimum. As for exercise, the key is to do what makes you feel good. Download a routine you can do at home, go for a walk or a bike ride, dance around your place—whatever keeps you motivated enough to make it a healthy habit.

2. Try Meditation Or Deep Breathing Exercises

If you find yourself feeling anxious, make some time to do some calming breathing techniques. You could also take it one step further and give meditation a try. Just 10 minutes a day can help you centre yourself and reduce feelings of anxiety, stress, and depression. There are some great apps and videos out there that can help guide you along.

3. Get Outside

Aside from the obvious benefits of exercise, taking in that sweet fresh air does wonders for your mind, body and soul. Even just a quick 10 minute walk around the block can perk up your mood, get your heart rate up, and give you a healthy dose of vitamin D (if the sun’s out) which kicks those endorphins into high gear.

4. Connect With Friends And Family

Though seeing people may be the last thing you feel like doing, try to stay connected with those you feel comfortable with. Not only can they provide a good listening ear, they can likely relate as we’re all going through this together. And if you still can’t connect live for whatever reason, try using social media, going on a virtual platform, or just taking a good old-fashioned (socially distanced) walk in the park.

5. Take Breaks From Watching Or Reading News Stories

While it’s good to be informed, constant talk about the pandemic and its effects have been taking a massive toll on our mental health. Consider limiting time on news shows or apps, and if you have a hard time doing that, consider removing the apps entirely until you can break the media habit.

6. Lend A Hand

As it turns out, being of service, whether volunteering to help a friend, colleague or a charitable organization can not only make you feel good, it can be good for you, too. When you perform an act of kindness, it activates the area of the brain associated with pleasure, social connection and trust. In turn, the brain releases feel good endorphins delivering you a big dose of happiness while bringing down feelings of stress and depression.

7. Make Plans to Do Things You Love

Remember all of the things that brought you joy in the before times? Things like sitting on a patio and grabbing a bite with friends, going to concerts and shows, or travelling around to different cities. Though you may not be able to do all of the things right now, start planning to do some of them. Even make a wish list of things you want to do in the next year or two as the world continues to open up. Looking positively towards to future can help kick our mind out of the stalemate it’s in and onto the exciting possibilities of what’s to come.

8. Make Plans to Do Things You Love

Remember all of the things that brought you joy in the before times? Things like sitting on a patio and grabbing a bite with friends, going to concerts and shows, or travelling around to different cities. Though you may not be able to do all of the things right now, start planning to do some of them. Even make a wish list of things you want to do in the next year or two as the world continues to open up. Looking positively towards to future can help kick our mind out of the stalemate it’s in and onto the exciting possibilities of what’s to come.

When you find negative feelings coming on, change the narrative and try talking to yourself compassionately. The next time you catch yourself saying something critical, try to frame it up differently in your head and be a little more supportive and kind to yourself. For example, if you mess something up, instead of saying “I’m such a idiot”, say, “I just made a mistake. I’ll do better next time.”

9.Take Things SLOW

Feeling anxious about the “return to normal”? You are not alone. A lot of people are finding just the thought of getting back to some semblance of normal life to be overwhelming. Don’t forget that we have been living in unprecedented times and our lives have been turned literally upside down. The key here is to take things slow.

Still Need Some Help? We’re Here For You.

If you’re still having a hard time moving forward, even after following these best practices, we have programs available to help you get through this. The Edgewood Health Network Canada offers a unique approach to the treatment of mental health disorders with a wide range of options, available in both English and French, that are tailored to each individual’s specific needs.

Our Safe, Comfortable Facilities

Rest assured, we remain 100% dedicated to providing safe facilities by taking exceptional precautions against COVID-19, even as the world opens back up. We go beyond standard protocols to ensure that necessary screening and prevention measures are in place and we continue to work regularly with local Public Health Departments to ensure Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) measures are optimized. We also continue to do patient and staff testing regularly and the use of PPE is stringently enforced.

About EHN Canada Programs:

  • We have extensive programs available for substance use, trauma, anxiety, depression and eating disorders
  • We have online programs available for those who need a flexible treatment program and can maintain abstinence and stability at home
  • We customize programs for those who have lost their connection with their recovery and need an intensive reset
  • We minimize the chance of relapse with our continuum of care—an ongoing process that goes far beyond inpatient or outpatient treatment
  • Our staff is not only dedicated, driven and compassionate, they are ready to help you on your journey to recovery from the very beginning
  • All of our programs extend country-wide so that all Canadians have access to the care they need

EHN Canada Can Help

To learn more about the addiction and mental health treatment programs provided by EHN Canada, enroll yourself in one of our programs, or refer someone else, please call us at 1-416-644-6345. Our phone lines are open 24/7—so you can call us anytime.

  • Want to learn more about our programs?