Lockdown is in full swing and I must say it’s causing a variety of feelings in me and around me. From feeling trapped, anxious and scared to feeling particularly creative, reflective and humbled by the global chaos.
Nonetheless it’s a stressful situation and we’re all seeking ways to remain sane and healthy. I haven’t quite yet perfected my personal concoction for it all, however, I’ve found a few ways that seem to be effectively helping.
Make you bed in the morning
One very simple and basic daily boost is making your bed, believe it or not. I stumbled across a talk by this Navy Seal admiral, emphasising the wider effect of completing a simple task like that, as dreary as it might sound.
It’s a form of discipline and positive enforcement. It may seem ridiculous but the wisdom of the simple act itself comes with logic attached. The admiral says, “If you make your bed every morning, you will have accomplished the first task of the day. It will give you a small sense of pride and will encourage you to do another task, and another, and another. By the end of the day, that one task completed will have turned into many tasks completed. Making your bed will also reinforce the fact that the little things in life matter. So, if you want to change the world, start by making your bed.”
I’ve always been a “make your bed in the morning” person and the people around me know something’s wrong when it’s left a mess. But not everyone springs up in the morning feeling enthusiastic about tidying and putting order to things and that’s ok. I find that organising one area of my life usually encourages me to continue doing so in other parts, hence why I find this little act very beneficial.
At the very least, if you are feeling miserable still, your bed is made for you to hop into at the end of the day and a made bed gives room to hope for a better day tomorrow 😉
Make each morning your own
Personally, I tend to combine my bed-making routine with preparing a delicious smoothie and listening to some Tame Impala first thing. However, and that’s the good thing about now having the time in the morning to try different things, you can make your own morning-tasks-combo and see how it impacts the rest of your day.
In the following weeks I will be sharing my take on anxiety, eating habits and disconnecting from the media and will keep you all updated with my personal coronavirus lockdown experience. For today, eat some fruits, stick on a documentary and chill out. It’s all we can do, do not blame yourself and remember to be conscious of other’s feelings too in this time.

Maya Barach
"Trying to open eyes softly not harshly. Bloom where you’re planted." Maya is 21 years old and currently studying English Literature and Philosophy.
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