1. Structure your day
The idea of being at home and staying in your PJs all day might sound quite appealing at first, but sticking to a routine can really help maintain a sense of normality.
Making yourself a timetable of what you’ll do every day will help you keep on top of school work and stop you from getting bored. We’ve suggested a timetable that you will have been sent home. You might want to add extra activities into your day that make you feel calm, but try to keep to your daily schedule as much as possible.
Don’t forget the basics like having a shower and cleaning those nashers, and be mindful of the amount of screen time you’re having, whether that’s for school work, social media or gaming.
2. Sleep at regular times
We might think of ourselves as resting when we’re sleeping, but whilst you’re catching zeds and dreaming of being the first person to win both Britain’s Got Talent and the Nobel Peace Prize in the same year (what?! it could happen…), your body and brain are doing some essential maintenance work.
You should be getting roughly 8-9 hours sleep a night.
3. Be Social
Try and talk with your friends every day. But take note: talking to your friends is not the same as getting drawn into group chat dramas or 5 hours of TikTok. Pick up the phone and just chat. Chat about the weather, or what you’re watching on Netflix, or what you’re having for tea, or if you’d eat a Witchetty grub for £500 - it doesn’t really matter! Talking and connecting with others will help keep things in perspective.
Remember to reach out to people who might find it harder to get in contact with others.
4. Move!
Exercising is essential. It keeps up physically fit and is good for our mental health too. Exercising might be more difficult at home, especially if you’re use to being part of a football team or something. But now’s the time to get creative! Why not make yourself an exercise circuit in your front room, take part in a online yoga tutorial or you can work out with Joe Wicks
https://youtu.be/d3LPrhI0v-w
5. Hobbies, Hobbies, Hobbies
You’ll have lots of school work to do and that will keep you pretty busy, but engaging in something creative you find exciting and interesting is really good for your wellbeing. Maybe you’ll master knitting, baking or painting.
6. Stick to the facts
Fake news, panic, toilet rolls - keep the toxic vibes away. Be a smart, critical consumer of the things you hear and see online. Stick to reliable news sources such as bbc.co.uk/news
7. Acknowledge this is tricky
None of us have ever really had to do anything like this and to be fair, it all feels a bit weird. You might be feeling worried about what’s going on, sad not to be seeing your friends, or even a little bit excited about all the changes. We’ll all have our own way of responding to this and that’s totally ok. Remember to stay connected, keep things in perspective and manage those routines. Young Minds have published this brilliant advice about coronavirus:
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