Mudder Nation, we know times are tough. With lockdown back in full force, social distancing and only being able to go out once a day it’s been the stuff of nightmares for a lot of us. It’s not often that we’re asked to stay home and do nothing to help overcome a global crisis and it sounded rather novel to begin with; all those TV shows to binge watch, decorating and DIY tasks we finally have time to finish, reading that book that’s always been by your bed. So why is the time at home turning into such an obstacle to overcome?
It could be that we feel like we have lost our rhythm. We can’t meet up with friends or family, blow off steam at a Tough Mudder event or go to a restaurant for dinner. Having our daily rhythm disrupted can cause a lot of stress and anxiety. So, what can we do to avoid suffering from cabin fever? We’ve teamed up with our friends from PhD Nutrition to come up with some top tips to help you keep your head together.
Doing Your Bit
Think about the good you are doing for the community. You really are saving lives by staying at home. This in itself, should be enough to refocus your attention, but if you are looking to spread some extra kindness in these testing times, check out our Help A Hundred campaign for some simple ideas that really could make a difference to someone’s life.
Regular Routine
Don’t sit around in your tracksuit bottoms and coast through the day. If you’d usually get up at 6am to workout, still do that. Instead of hitting the gym or going to that workout class, try our Weekly Workout sessions, or training guides for at home exercise ideas. If you’ve never really been keen to workout, or not had the time, now could be your opportunity to give it a go. Why not try out the Couch to 5K challenge as an introduction to running, or take part in your 1st 5km with the support of the Tough Mudder UK Strava club.
Release Creativity
Sometimes we just need a distraction. Doing something creative is a great way of clearing your mind and zoning out, even if it’s just for a little while. Take your banana bread to the next level this lockdown and bake the ultimate protein version, or try your hand at the Obstacle Design Competition. Whatever it is, get thinking.
Keep Your Feet on the Ground
Phrases like ‘good vibes only’ and ‘stay positive’ can do one. We’re all going to have bad days, where getting up for work is a real struggle, there’s no chance of you getting changed out of your pyjamas, and home-schooling feels like hell on earth (when did maths for 7 year olds become so hard?). It’s OK to not be OK, and more importantly understanding that we are in a different place right now and comparing ourselves to the ‘normal’ versions of us isn’t helpful. Check out the Mudder Minds series for mental health advice and tools to help us navigate our way through the new normal.
Project Lockdown
Try something new. Is there a project you can take on at work to help out? Something outside your comfort zone, or everyday norm but that your colleagues would appreciate your help with and offers you the chance to up-skill yourself. Maybe there is a course you’ve been meaning to take that has a special deal on it at the moment? At home you could start working your way through the list of DIY projects, like painting and decorating the spare room which has also become known as the ‘shove it in there and shut the door quick’ room, or start smaller by finally hanging that headband holder. All the jobs you’ve put off because you’ve never had the time, grab the opportunity whilst you have it.
There is light at the end of the tunnel. We just need to have patience and figure this out together. Stay safe Mudder Nation.
