Surviving and Thriving during Lockdown

***Lockdown tip day 1: Set some lockdown goals***

What do you wish to work on over the next 6 weeks? Pick 3 goals to give you some purpose.

Every school day, I am going to post a small well-being idea to support teachers and students through lockdown. Feel free to share! pic.twitter.com/wuWRlWmHgn

— Will Haines (@MrWillHaines) January 5, 2021

*Lockdown tip day 2: Get up & get out*

It's dark and grim out there, but fresh air will do you some good.

A quick walk first thing will not only wake you up, but also enhance your creativity and productivity. Consider a walk at lunch or in the eve.

Me and my geese this morn! pic.twitter.com/nRHoITiXn3

— Will Haines (@MrWillHaines) January 6, 2021

*Lockdown tip day 3: phones away!*

Phones are slowly reducing our attention span and narrowing/shortening our focus.

Be more present at 'virtual' work and school by putting your phone in another room, disabling certain apps and turning off notifications.

Give it a go. pic.twitter.com/iSjBKOtRZ9

— Will Haines (@MrWillHaines) January 7, 2021

***Lockdown tip day 4: Check in with people***

Pick up the phone and get calling friends and family. On the weekend, write a list of people you would like to call and be present in that conversation.

Rekindle some old friendships and consider those on their own.

Happy Friday! pic.twitter.com/G0J3JEKZKY

— Will Haines (@MrWillHaines) January 8, 2021

*Lockdown tip day 5 - habit formation*

Get into good habits. The @B_I_Tweets have a great EAST framework to help you. Make your decision;

1. Easy - reduce friction.
2. Attractive - clear benefits.
3. Social - do it with someone.
4. Timely - prompts/cues.

Enjoy the week. pic.twitter.com/RcxSpuen1z

— Will Haines (@MrWillHaines) January 11, 2021

*Lockdown tip day 6: Suffering is part of life*

To some this may seem bleak, but there is power in accepting that life isn't always full of pleasure.

To paraphrase the work of Victor Frankl, life is a series of questions and problems and we need to find answers to them. pic.twitter.com/F1OdQvj5Nk

— Will Haines (@MrWillHaines) January 12, 2021

*Lockdown tip day 7: movement*

Studies are showing that virtual learning is leading to a rise in sedentary behaviour.

Try and move every hour. Going for a long run and sitting down the rest of the day doesn't solve the problem.

Ask students to get up and move between lessons! pic.twitter.com/490NRL2KwY

— Will Haines (@MrWillHaines) January 13, 2021

*Lockdown tip day 8: Optimism*

If I had to pick one ingredient to positive mental health, it would be optimism.

Hold the belief that things will get better and that tomorrow brings another day to learn and grow.

In fact, you can even learn to be optimistic! @MartinEPSeligma pic.twitter.com/AlREdReAnK

— Will Haines (@MrWillHaines) January 14, 2021

*Lockdown tip day 9 - process not outcome*

The uncertainty of exams has led to anxiety for GCSE and A-level students. Try not to predict the future and focus on today.

Engage in lessons, communicate with teachers and do your best. The results will look after themselves. pic.twitter.com/9WB1aY0EZs

— Will Haines (@MrWillHaines) January 15, 2021

*Lockdown tip day 10: happiness by design*

This week, I am going to share my favourite well-being strategies. @profpauldolan developed a simple and effective way of thinking about living a happy life.

Consider what brings you both pleasure and purpose and maximise this! pic.twitter.com/YqwoidaWFf

— Will Haines (@MrWillHaines) January 18, 2021

*Lockdown tip day 11: growth mindset*

A classic in education, but still so influential. The belief that our abilities can be developed over time and are not fixed.

In many ways, it centres around optimism. Learning does not just happen in school, it continues for a lifetime. pic.twitter.com/BZLqU6Jt3R

— Will Haines (@MrWillHaines) January 19, 2021

*Lockdown tip day 12: behavioural activation*

If you are feeling low on energy and demotivated then actively try and break this cycle.

Set yourself some plans, stick to them and see how they make you feel. Make it sociable and build it up slowly! pic.twitter.com/MtFzvqanbi

— Will Haines (@MrWillHaines) January 20, 2021

*Lockdown tip day 13: be a good friend to yourself*

Self-compassion is all about speaking to yourself in a constructive, rational and caring way. In other words, be a fair judge of you!

Here are three amazing tips for nurturing self-compassion from the guru @self_compassion pic.twitter.com/cZkIPPeIuv

— Will Haines (@MrWillHaines) January 21, 2021

*Lockdown tip day 14: social connection*

Is there anything more vital to happiness than people and communities?

The pandemic has brought us closer to friends and family (maybe not physically).

Master your well-being by looking outward rather than inward. @johannhari101 pic.twitter.com/V71HxjxOkR

— Will Haines (@MrWillHaines) January 22, 2021

*Lockdown tip day 15: nature*

The snow yesterday was just the best. So many happy families and faces.

It just shows how important nature is for our well-being.

Use this week to ditch the technology and find some green space.

This was my home park yesterday 👌🏽 pic.twitter.com/1B1O2GWmQv

— Will Haines (@MrWillHaines) January 25, 2021