COVID-19: will sticking to a routine help during coronavirus lockdown?

It's not a stretch to say that the COVID-19 crisis has turned our lives upside down. Lockdown is a big adjustment for everybody, whether you're isolating alone, looking after small children or living with older relatives. If you're not completely certain what day of the week it is today, you're certainly not alone.

Our usual routines have disappeared and the distinction between work and play has never been more muddled. It's no surprise that many of us are feeling lost, anxious and frustrated. While the lack of structure might have been a novelty at first, it may now be adding to the sense of unease. Perhaps you've even started to miss your dreaded commute?

The psychological benefits of a routine

Losing the usual boundaries from our daily lives can make us feel quite strange, explains psychotherapist Mark Bailey. "We don't have the punctuation marks and 'separators' that we usually have in the day - not just travelling, but things like walking to the bus, seeing different environments, hearing a range of sounds. All those provide unconscious signposts for us that break up a day, keep us functioning on time and create routine."

Psychologist Dr Elena Touroni, co-founder of My Online Therapy, points out that the reason so many of us are feeling lost at the moment is that humans tend to thrive off structure and routine. "A daily routine helps us put healthy habits in place so we get the most out of our day. And when we feel like we've achieved something - no matter how small - we're going to generally feel much happier in ourselves."

Without routine, you may be tempted towards more unhealthy behaviours such as overworking, drinking too much alcohol or binge-watching television simply because you feel there's nothing else to do.

When it feels like too much pressure

Just thinking about trying to establish a sense of normality during this challenging time can be intimidating. However, trying out a new routine doesn't mean you have to plan so much it overwhelms you. Keep things simple and take it one day at a time. This is not the time to pile pressure on yourself or feel bad if your routine doesn't go to plan. We're not designed to operate at full productivity during a crisis.

"Too much routine will add stress especially if the demand is not feasible," points out Bailey. "We've all seen social media posts from people saying now is an ideal time to learn a new language or take up a new hobby. Whilst this may be a nice idea, it could place too much stress on us, especially if we are in small accommodation."

Instead of being strict with yourself, he encourages people to experiment for themselves to see what works for them and to notice what doesn't. A diary may help you do this. Pay attention to your mood when you have more or less of a routine.

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Creating your new normal

When it comes to establishing a routine, there's no one-size-fits-all approach that works best for everybody. We all have different wants, needs and priorities. And it's important to work with those rather than against them. The following general tips may be worth a try though.

Make a three-step plan

Bailey suggests an acronym called ACE may help create a routine, especially for people who love to create charts and planners. It stands for achieving, connecting and enjoying. You could do this exercise daily or weekly. And it could be a fun thing to do with your whole family.

• Achieving: make a column for the different things you need to achieve - work, chores, housework etc.

• Connecting: then plan another column for things that provide you with a sense of connection. These could include video calling friends and family, playing online games or cooking with each other.

• Enjoying: and then a third column which is about enjoyment. Think about the hobbies you still have access to, such as reading, playing an instrument or watching a comforting film.

Try to tick off one thing from each column every day.

Prioritise sleep

Getting a good night's sleep is still important, perhaps more than ever. Being well rested will help you build emotional resilience during the more challenging times. And while it's tempting to have a long lie-in now you're no longer travelling to work every day, this isn't advisable.

"Ensure you get enough time for your sleep needs and resist the temptation to sleep longer than you usually would, just because you don't have to commute to your workplace," says Dr Natasha Bijlani, consultant psychiatrist at The Priory Hospital Roehampton. "Sleep is extremely beneficial to one's health but consistently too much or too little can be harmful."

Stay active

Endorphins released during physical activity can really perk you up. So make time for some physical exercise, whether it be yoga, stretching or even venturing outside once a day to go for a walk or a short run. Even doing some housework can get you moving and make you feel better.

The main thing is adding movement wherever you can. Avoid sitting in one place for too long. Consider standing up for part of your work time or walking around while talking on the phone, suggests Bijlani.

Eat and drink well

We have to minimise trips outside which may mean eating healthily feels like more of a challenge than before. But there are still plenty of good meals you can make from storecupboard essentials and items you'd forgotten you had in the freezer.

"Food and drink can greatly affect your physical and mental health. Avoid drinking too much alcohol or eating unhealthy foods out of boredom. Try to keep to boundaries such as only drinking alcoholic beverages in limited quantities at the weekend," advises Bijlani.

Avoid rolling news

We've all been doing it over the last few weeks, but consider whether endless scrolling on news sites and social media is making you feel better. If it's adding to your anxiety, try to set a time to check in with the rest of the world every day - but limit your exposure to news aside from that.

Think about others

If you've found yourself with too much time on your hands, check local online groups for ways you can help your community and look out for neighbours who may need assistance.

"Offer suitable assistance to those such as elderly neighbours or those who are disadvantaged in other ways. Transferring your focus of attention and action to outside of your own perspective can be very healing and empowering as well as of help to others," suggests Bijlani.

Take a break

Even once you've settled on a routine, it's still vital you take breaks. Although you're not leaving the house, this is still a period of upheaval and you may find yourself more tired than normal.

"This could be as simple as stepping away from your desk to do a ten-minute mindfulness guided meditation to stay grounded. True productivity requires presence and focus and taking regular breaks throughout the day is going to help you keep your energy bank topped up," says Touroni.