We’re thrilled to welcome Mindset & Confidence Coach Nicky Kentisbeer to our blog to guide us through avoiding eat, sleep, lockdown repeat as we enter into our second UK lockdown.
As we find ourselves faced with a second lockdown, it can be easy to start to feel a sense of dread at the thought of having to endure another period of uncertainty, can’t it? And whilst it is true to say that we have done it once, that doesn’t mean to say that we aren’t already feeling a little fatigued from the first time around.
So, with all of this in mind, the first thing to remember is that all your thoughts, feelings and emotions currently are entirely in keeping with the situation that we are in. There is no rule book as to the right way to feel. We all feel things in different ways, and we must allow ourselves to do so. There is no rush to feel a particular way.
There are also a few things to keep front of mind that will help you to keep your mindset on the right side of healthy, so that you can move through this lockdown period in a way that feels right for you.
Focus on what you can control
At times of uncertainty it can be easy to let our minds start to wander up the ladder of fear and we start to imagine all the worst-case scenarios that may lie ahead.
This only serves to heighten our anxiety and because we cannot control things that haven’t actually happened, our time and energy is better spent focusing on what is happening right now. We can make choices and decisions about what is front of us far more easily than we can if we try to predict the future or change the past. Channelling our energy and attention into staying in the present moment is a great way to strengthen our resolve because we can see the results of the action we are taking. It is this action that helps us to keep on moving forward.
Nicky Kentisbeer - Mindset & Confidence Coach
Positivity
As the saying goes ‘we get more of what we focus on’. Given that our minds have a natural negativity bias and that we retain far more of our negative experiences than our positive ones, we always need to work a little harder to keep our levels of positivity topped up. And now is as good a time as any. If you are struggling with positivity, start small and just allow yourself to notice the things that bring you joy and do more of those things. It’s also a lovely idea to keep a gratitude journal to hand to remind you of those special moments for the times when you may be feeling low and in need of some inspiration.
Self-Care
Taking care of yourself is the most important thing that you can do for you right now. Unfortunately, it’s also the first thing to go when we are feeling under duress. We tend to kid ourselves that we have so much to do that we can’t possibly allow ourselves to consider our self-care. It feels selfish. So, if you are feeling this way, it’s time to turn that pattern of thinking around. Because everything that we do starts with us. We must do the things that are going to keep our minds and bodies well because we need our good health to support us through the coming weeks. Make a date with yourself each day to do something that makes you feel good and energised. It’s also the perfect time to treat yourself to your favourite candles and all of those ‘cosy bits’ that will make your heart sing as we approach the crisper weather.
Resilience
Even though it may not feel like it, you are incredibly resilient. At times like this, we often overlook our own resilience when we start to compare ourselves with the efforts of others. Remember that you have already shown an amazing capacity to overcome difficulty this year and it is those very strengths and resources that you will serve you again this time. Trust in yourself, you have totally got this.
Self-Compassion
Be kind and patient with yourself. When we aren’t feeling our usual selves, our mind chatter can start to become very harsh and impatient and we use the way we are feeling as a stick to beat ourselves with. Talking down to ourselves only serves to make us feel worse. Don’t do it to yourself. You are doing the absolute best that you can. Speak to yourself as kindly as you would to others and politely remind your inner critic that you have everything you need to work through this.
Dial it down
It can get very noisy out there! Please remember that it’s OK to switch off whenever you feel you need to. If you find that negativity starts to creep in when you read and listen to certain channels or spend too much time on Social Media, take a break. If you find yourself endlessly scrolling news channels and Social Media, remind yourself that you don’t need to be there. Invest your time in doing something that lights you up. Your time is very precious, use it in a way that makes you feel good. Spend some time doing the things that you’ve always wanted to do that you never usually have time for.
Most importantly, remember that you do have the power to change your thoughts. We cannot change what is happening, but we can most certainly choose how we react to it. We can also choose how we spend our time. So, look after yourself, treat yourself with kindness and notice the little joy in the everyday moments that are all around you.
It is these little moments that you will remember long after this is all over.
Keep warm and healthy.
Nicky
Nicky Kentisbeer is a mindset and confidence coach supporting women to do the things that they want to do by empowering them to use the strengths and capabilities that they already have within them.
Visit her website here.
You can also follow Nicky on Instagram.