When a lockdown hits, many of us feel it’s a time to focus on our mental health by making small changes that help us deal with a challenging time.
The healthy coping strategies that many of us have tried to include exercise, cutting out alcohol, practising mindfulness and seeking the support of family and friends.
Perhaps a little unexpected, which many of us have tried: more than one-third of us have organised our homes during the lockdown to manage our mental health, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Many have been using their time whilst in lockdown to declutter their homes and apartments. Some motivation that stemmed from this was many members of the household having to work from home. Having a tidy and organised work from home space is vital for an effective workday, rather than spending precious time looking through stuff.
After tackling the work from home space, or dedicated office, many of us turned our attention to the other areas and rooms of the house. By doing one room at a time, you don’t get too overwhelmed. When bagging up items or clothes that people no longer need to sell or donate, this helps people feel a sense of accomplishment during long periods at home.
Quick Tips:
Pick one area to focus on: a drawer, a cupboard or a room that has been on the list for a while.
Devote one hour at a time to decluttering – in less than an hour, you can transform a space, resulting in immediate joy.
Start with something that isn’t sentimental. For example, the collection of shampoo, conditioner and body wash in your shower, or the mysterious and neglected condiments lining your fridge door – you’ll get a taste of success and want to do more.