This is a guest post by Rach Talks Business, a lovely blogger and member of the blogging community.
As we enter another lockdown period, it is so important to check in on the people around us. Mental health and well-being need to become our top priority through these uncertain times.
After suffering from anxiety for several years, I thought it would be helpful to share my personal recommendations.
These are basic tips on dealing with isolation anxiety, as well as some helpful book recommendations I have used to stay positive over the last few months.
Everyone is different and although these tips work for me they may not work for you, so it is important to seek medical advice if you are feeling low during these difficult times.
Limit Time on Social Media
Social media is a useful tool in everyone’s day-to-day life and an amazing communication tool for bloggers. However, social media can be a negative place and misleading information spreads like wildfire.
It is important to ensure you are not taking in too much negativity from social media as this can heighten your anxiety and make you feel overwhelmed. I usually spend no more than two hours each day on social media channels.
My advice would be to use credible sources such as government websites if I want to know any information about lockdown rules or information on how to stay safe. Try to avoid fake news articles if you can!
Self-Care
When I am having a down week, the first thing that happens to me personally is I forget to take care of myself. Once you get into a bad routine it is much harder to get yourself out.
Every day, even if you’re feeling down try to get up, have a wash, and get dressed. It seems so simple but being inside all the time can easily lead to far too many PJ days.
I always feel positive and fresh once I have had a pamper and made myself feel good. Showers and baths are amazing for stress relief, so allocate one night a week for a proper pamper.
Stay Occupied
It is important to stay distracted and occupied during this uncertain time. Make time each day to take a step back and get lost in a book or TV show. Taking yourself away from the reality of the world is healthy and gives your brain a much-needed rest.
Over the last few months, I’ve found some books that have made me feel super positive in myself.
One of the first books I was recommended was ‘The Anxiety Solution’ by Chloe Brotheridge. Chloe’s book focuses on how to recognise anxiety, what to do, and how to work with your anxiety and most importantly, move on from it.
The author uses her own scientific research and examples from her own experiences, making the novel extremely relatable. ‘The Anxiety Solution’ gave me some amazing tips in helping to control my anxious feelings.
Another book that has helped me in terms of keeping a positive outlook on life is ‘The
Secret’ by Rhonda Byrne. I was extremely sceptical about reading ‘The Secret’ as I
know this book is like marmite.
Some people love it and follow the ideas and views religiously- and other people do not find it very useful. I personally found the book helpful in changing my outlook on life and making me feel positive and motivated.
Finally, a tiny recommendation I have is ‘The Little Book of Positivity’ by Lucy Lane. I was recently bought this by a friend for my birthday and it is filled with inspirational messages and thoughts all about positivity.
It is a lovely little book to read if you’re having a down day and need a little pick-me-up! It is also the perfect little gift for a friend who mightn’t be feeling themselves.
How to manage lockdown anxiety
This uncertain period is not forever, and you will get through it. Everyone is in the same boat so please remember your feelings are always valid and there is always someone you can speak to if you’re feeling anxious or lonely.
Stay connected with the people you love and never be afraid to talk about your feelings to your friends. A problem shared is a problem halved!
About the author
Rachel is a fantastic blogger, using her blog as a way to put her marketing knowledge to good use and promote small, independent businesses over on her blog.
If you’d like to find out more about Rachel, you can connect with her on Twitter.
Not-So-Modern Girl 
I’ve been limiting time on social media and it’s been amazing!!! Wonderful post.
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It can be so important 🙂
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I’ve been trying to stay busy by throwing myself into my blog work and getting my house ready for when I move out so I really understand staying occupied! X
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I think that’s a great idea 🙂 x
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I completely removed all personal social media during our first lockdown and it was amazing!!!! There is so much negativity on it, that it was making me feel worse everyday. Staying occupied is the best thing to do. I typically paint on canvas’s outside or go bike riding. Anything outdoors helps my mental state,even if it is stretching outside. Great guest post!
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I don’t have personal social media either, it’s such a good way to stop comparing yourself to others and just live your life 🙂 that’s very true, walks are a great way to release any stress x
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Wow, love this post! I used to struggle a lot with anxiety in the past, and I used almost all your tips to overcome it. To this day self-care is an important part of keeping my sanity, and I’m a big believer of The Secret / Law of Attraction. I hope this will help many who are experiencing this today. X
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Self care is such an important part of staying aware of what you need physically and mentally 🙂 x
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Staying occupied is a lifesaver, I can tell when my mind is wandering coz work may be quiet. It’s been busy lately so I’ve been happier. I have my screen time notifications and though I’ve managed to get it down I’m still embarrassed by how many hours I spend online, around 2 a day! I’ve capped it though and it’s helping! X
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Yes it is! I spend a lot of time online a day too- I try to tell myself it’s because of my blog, but I know I also spend a lot of time on my phone anyway!
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Great ideas! Some of the things I do to stay occupied include gaming, video calling my boyfriend, cross stitching and having a big sort out of all my things!
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I think those are great ways to stay occupied- phoning my boyfriend always makes me feel better during these times 🙂 x
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Fab post! I’ve definitely been trying to limit my time on social media during lockdown and remembering to take time for myself.
Tash – A Girl with a View
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I think it’s so important to look out for yourself 🙂 x
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I will be using some of these tips while the second wave hits my area — thanks for sharing!
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Great idea 🙂 stay safe x
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Great guest post!! I’ve been trying to limit my time on social media at the weekends. I’ve also been cleaning the house a lot and going out for lots of walks!! 🙂 xx
Holly | http://www.gollymissholly.uk
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I think they sound like fantastic ways to keep your mind occupied and mean that you’re looking after your self-care 🙂 x
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It’s fantastic! I hope you enjoy the recommendations 🙂
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Yes I agree, social media can be so draining otherwise. I’m so glad you enjoyed it 🙂
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Limiting social media is key, really helps to stay calm and less anxious.
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Yes I agree 🙂
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These are amazing tips. Staying off social media and clearing our online space is really needed and taking breaks to take care of oneself and be occupied with things also help.
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I think they’re great too! Yes, you must take care of yourself I agree 🙂
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Fab tips. I’ve not experienced lockdown anxiety but I have been feeling quite low this time around. Self care has played such a huge part in helping me feel better x
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Yes I agree, I think sometimes anxiety and low moods can come hand in hand and it’s always good to have some coping mechanisms however you feel 🙂 thanks for sharing your thoughts Jenny x
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Self-care & pampering yourself is so important. Now, more than ever we need to take care of our body. I’m also trying to stay occupied and to train my mind to become more positive. Thanks for the book recommendations. The Little Book of Positivity sounds like a great book – I’ll check it out!
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Yes that’s so true! I think that book sounds great too, I’m definitely going to check it out 🙂
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This post is very timely, we’ve just gone into our second lockdown here. I definitely need these tips right now. Thank you for sharing.
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Oh no! I’m glad these tips will come in useful for you 🙂
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This is a helpful post! I think I’m following all these suggestions and trying to get outside as often as I can. Walking is a big thing for me to help control my anxiety. Thanks for sharing this guest post.
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I think getting some air can be such an important thing, and staying busy 🙂 x
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These are some helpful tips. Self care has been helpful in keeping my anxiety under control. Thank you for sharing.
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Yes definitely! Thank you for dropping by 🙂
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Limiting time on social media definitely helps me when it comes to lockdown anxiety! I’ve found social media to be really negative on occasion to taking a step away makes all the difference 🙂
https://www.femaleoriginal.com
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I think so too 🙂 x
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Me too, self care is so important 🙂
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Limiting social media has been super important for me through all this. It can feel like such a beating. The break is always refreshing.
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Me too!
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I’ve learned to only be on social media at specific times and to not have it on my phone. This has helped me to reduce my anxiety dramatically
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Yes I think social media really relates to anxiety in a big way 🙂
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Yes I agree, mine is too
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These are such great tips!! Thanks for sharing!
MagicandBliss | https://magicandbliss.com/
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Thank you for commenting 🙂
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Thank you! I like watching things as well, I put Netflix on in the background sometimes to relax myself x
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These are all such great tips for surviving during the lockdown time!
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I know! I need to follow them all in the next few days 🙂
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This is super helpful I think we’ve all been hit with feelings of stress and anxiety due to the pandemic it’s important to help manage that
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Yes definitely, these are some great ideas from Rachel 🙂
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Great tips! It’s all about finding things that distract you from everything and taking care of yourself.
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Yes that’s so true- distraction is a great tool against anxiety and over-thinking for me x
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I really need to reduce my time on social media, because I blog I spend a lot of time online so would love to take a short break away for a while!x
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Yes I do as well sometimes 🙂 I don’t use personal social media accounts though and I think there’s a difference between blogging promotion and personal accounts x
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I’m glad! It’s certainly not been a very positive time for everyone, but hopefully things are looking up 🙂 that’s my problem too- I don’t use personal social media but I’m still on it all the time for my blog x
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I agree, I think they’re a few great tips to helping out mental wellbeing 🙂 x
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Lockdown anxiety can look different for everyone. I’ve found myself becoming irritated because I’m forced to stay inside. Some days I’d love to spend the day out walking and people watching, it helps me relax and clear my mind. It’s much harder now, so I resorted to taking walks at the park and going for runs.
Exercise could be an addition to this already great list!
I hope anyone reading this can find a healthy way to release this anxiety.
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Yes I think staying inside can feeling trapping for some people! I try to walk as much as possible, and I agree exercise is so important x
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This is such a helpful post. I’ve definitely noticed my anxiety returning stronger than ever since been at home. I’ve been trying to keep as busy as possible but I’m definitely going to try some other tips too.
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I’m glad you enjoyed it 🙂 I think keeping busy helps with anxious thoughts, but I hope you find some good coping strategies x
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This post is still so relatable after so long! Limiting social media can help so much, mostly at times like this and keeping busy too, sometimes you just need to have your mind concentrating on something to feel a bit better! Thank you for sharing x
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I agree with the point about social media too, keeping busy is great for your mental health when you need the distraction from overthinking or intrusive thoughts!
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