Lockdown doesn’t have to get you down, both physically and mentally. Whether we like it or not, lockdown will be used as a primary method of control during the Covid-19 pandemic.

If you are like me, the lockdown has been a great excuse to sit down in front of the T.V and binge every game of AFL football (both live and replays..). So, how can we not let lockdown make the worst of the best of us?

1) Get Sunlight Early in the Day

Getting sunlight in the first 30 minutes of your day helps to kickstart your internal body clock (circadian rhythm) and increase your alertness. If we are more alert and ‘primed’ we are more likely to make better decisions in regards to our overall health. Seeing sunlight early means that we can delay caffeine and make use of our bodies natural internal clock. So, rather than stumbling out of bed with one eye open to the coffee machine, step outside and view sunlight (or bright light which has a similar effect if it is cloudy) early in your day. This is a good opportunity to stretch, move, read or do something in the garden.

2) Set Alarms to Move

Once every hour set an alarm to move. This could be to get up and have a drink of water, play with your dog, do some gardening or do some air squats (whilst watching the football perhaps). This is a great way to boost the metabolic rate and increase your energy. Energy is the key to everything. Without energy, there is nothing. In order to tap into our primal bodies systems, we must move.

3) Keep Things in Perspective

Our mental health is as important as our physical health and it is important to work on both in order to get through this lockdown. Modern day comforts in the first world have meant for the large majority of people we haven’t had to hunt for our food, find clean drinking water or find shelter. Think if you were to go without one of these for a day, a week or a month? What would the consequence be? Being in lockdown is tough and there are many issues that are exacerbated by lockdown, such as poorer mental and physical health, but there are ways to combat this. Living in Australia, we are privileged with the very best healthcare, health professionals and living conditions. If anybody needs help don’t be afraid to reach out to the help lines like Beyond Blue (mental health), White Ribbon (domestic violence) or us! Perth Mobile Physiotherapy for any of your physical needs. We have trained staff who can provide best practice care via telehealth on Zoom, or over the phone. Please get in contact with us via Facebook, or call us on 0450 515 169 if you would like to book in your telehealth consult.

We are with you every step of the way during this lockdown!

Stay strong and stay healthy.

Ryan
Senior Physiotherapist