Boxed in during lockdown? Tips for young adults to keep sane

Young people between the ages of 18 and 25 years may be experiencing the current lockdown and restrictions on movement as particularly challenging, since being in a somewhat carefree phase of one’s life helps little if your movement is limited.

Life coach Marie-Lee du Plooy says it is important for young people to monitor their own well-being, and manage their health and wellness.

She offers these tips:

• Take charge of your life: “Before you want to make any changes in your life, you have to decide in which areas you need to take charge. It can be in areas such as your health, self-being or relationships. When you identified which areas need changes, you can start to plan the steps.”
• Exercise: “Not everyone likes the idea of going to the gym to exercise. Currently, gyms are closed too. But to exercise doesn’t mean to go only to the gym, it also means to do something physical such as swimming, walking in the neighbourhood or riding a bicycle. To wash your car once a week or a particular day, or take the elevator at work, can also count as exercise.”
• Routine: “Every day starts with a routine. Just like brushing our teeth every morning, sticking to a routine allows us to create habits. Routine helps us develop good habits that are in line with exploring our full potential. Routine helps us move forward. Following good routines will help us with good time management. It will keep us focused on the important things.”
• Self-care: “Self-care is important in life. It helps us to maintain a good and healthy relationship with ourselves and with others. It creates positive feelings and boosts our confidence and self-esteem. We all have needs. To take care of ourselves means you have to deliberately look after your mental, physical and emotional well-being.”
• Eating habits: “For us to get through a busy day, we need energy to keep us going. To start with a proper breakfast is a good way to boost your energy levels. Keep healthy foods in your refrigerator and plan your weekly meals.”
• Being a role model to others: “As young individuals, we all strive to be a good friend or family member. It makes us all feel positive if we do and mean something good to others. To sit with somebody and be only a soundboard, will show them that you care and that you respect them. To be a role model for somebody doesn’t mean you have to be the richest person or the best student in class but to be somebody with integrity, positivity and accountability. Be that person.”
• Relaxation and social life: “To find a balance between work or studies and your social life is crucial, even during the lockdown. To make time for relaxation and to socialise with friends, even online, will have a huge impact on your health and well-being.  We need more positive energy to face the world and we can get that by taking a break and chill.”

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