This may sound like a no brainer to some people but I’m sure a lot of you can relate..

For me, the second week of lockdown has really emphasized the importance of exactly what I do to start my day. 

In the first week I made a deal with myself that I would start each day with a walk on the beach with my doggo. It wasn’t until I slipped off track in the last couple of days that I realized the massive impact this simple action has on my entire day. 

Each day that I did not get out for my morning walk, I felt unmotivated, had no energy and was not at all productive (and I mean I barely did anything all day except curl up on the lounge). 

Yes, it took me 3 whole days of lockdown to recognize this.. but that is major progress compared to past years. Once upon a time I would have destructively criticized myself (and still not done anything about it - turning 3 days into 3 weeks and putting myself in a rut that I would then find really tough to overcome). 

But if I’ve learnt anything about mental health and self awareness over the past few years it is this: the way we feel is our own natural feedback mechanism. 

So, if this sounds all too familiar to you, please take the time to pause, recognize and acknowledge when things don’t feel quite right. This is the first step in being able to determine the reason and what tweaks you can make to improve your experience. The way we feel is not within our control but the actions we choose to take very much are. 

In saying this, I also know that even the simplest task of getting out of bed can feel almost impossible when you’re battling with depression and/or anxiety (or any type of mental health condition) but if you try to set out to do one small thing that makes you feel good (like taking a nice warm shower/bath, lighting a candle, listening to music, cooking and eating a nutritious meal, brushing your hair or reading a book in the sunshine) it will shift your mindset and you can then use that momentum to do even more of what makes you feel good. It’s all about one baby step at a time. 

..and it is completely ok if you find yourself going backward at times - just remember to take the time to pause, recognize and acknowledge when that happens - listen to that natural feedback mechanism 💜

NOTE: if you or someone you know needs crisis support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.