Another week in lockdown...

So it's been another week where we've been in the house, staying at home to protect our NHS and save lives. It is not a hard thing to do. It's not like we're being called on to do something like travel to somewhere else, fight or do brain surgery with no training. We are being called to stay at home.

The problem lies with what happens to the mental health of those who are isolated. Mental health is something I feel strongly about - you all have read my previous blog posts! It's something that is very close to my heart - and my mind. I've suffered from mental health issues and depression for the last 18 years and it's not pretty. I have it mostly under control, taking medication every day and knowing that I'll never be able to stop taking it, but I can still get anxious, worried and can get very stressed about things beyond my control.

But God is my refuge and strength. He is the one I can rely on and trust in when all else is failing and not going the way I expect it to go. 

So I've thinking again about the ways I can make sure my mental health is, well, healthy! And I've come up with a few examples. 

• Read a book
• Take a bubble bath
• Sing worship songs
• Have a dance party in the kitchen
• Meditate
• Do something I haven't done in years - like craft or bake
• Exercise 
• Go for a walk in nature
• Take on a challenge - whether its to write letters or climb Mount Everest as you climb your stairs each day
• Learn something new - like a language or a song on the piano
• Keep in touch with people

The last one is very important, but hard for some people. I do not like talking on the phone. I'd much rather text, WhatsApp or email. I love people and I love talking, but for some reason I just can't do the whole phone thing! Don't get me wrong - I will and do talk to people on the phone and I am always lovely doing it (ahem...) but its hard. 

However, writing them letters, or sending out a text each morning is something that comes easily to me, so I do concentrate on those! 

It's all about balance. The balance between what you are comfortable doing (and thus no anxiety) and what pushes you to be a better you (a little stress) is important as the person who lives in their comfort zone, never gets out of it, won't receive the immense rewards that pushing yourself creates, and ultimately doesn't rely on God as much as they should.

So I aim to push myself a little every day, while enjoying all the things that make me me. With that in mind, my goals this week are:

• Finish painting the bathroom
• Declutter the upstairs rooms
• Find 3 new recipes to try
• Play a song on the piano (even if its one I've already played before - baby steps!!)
• Exercise for at least 15 minutes each day

Will I be able to stick to it? Will I feel better for having pushed myself to be more productive and a better person? Hopefully!! I'll update you next week to let you know!