Positivity and Mental Health

5 Positives To Come Out of Lockdown

People got back to me really quickly when I asked them for five positive things that lockdown has brought for them. Looking at them all certain themes have come through, such as being closer with and spending more time with family, appreciating the people in our lives and mostly having time - whether it's to slow down, or discover things you love doing. It's made me feel really happy and proud to see people actively thinking about and appreciating the positives from a situation they would not choose to be put in.

Even though it has been a difficult situation, for some even more so than others, I hope that lockdown will have provided people with some valuable time and space to reflect about what we want from our lives and ourselves, in a busy world where we rarely have an opportunity to stop and think.

More quality time and becoming closer with family
Appreciating family and friends more, and not taking for granted the times you were able to see them before lockdown
Finding more time to exercise, and enjoy it
Spending more time outside
More time to cook, bake and experiment with food
Living a healthier lifestyle
The ability to enjoy life at a slower pace
Relaxing, and feeling re-energised; finding time to do the things you didn't have time to before
Spending more time on yourself, and feeling better about you and more self confident because of it
Being able to take a step back and put things in perspective
Discovering and appreciating more about where you live
Saving time from commuting
Being able to organise things and get on top of stuff that needed doing
Enjoying uni work and the subject more because of less pressure
Not feeling guilty for not working or being constantly busy
Feeling like you don't have to be control of or restricted by plans
Staying in touch with and checking in on people - including those who you haven't had much contact with outside of lockdown
People seem kinder and more complimentary
Learning to be more patient!
Learning more skills (e.g. languages)
More time for arts and crafts

Big and Small Positives from Home and Around the World - due to Coronavirus

Some Lockdown Advice From a Teacher in China

On the water last summer in Greece. Despite not being able to explore anywhere this year, it's definitely made me appreciate even more how fortunate I've been to visit amazing new places before. There are many people who don't or can't leave their own areas, and I think lockdown has reminded us all that we can't take being able to go on fantastic adventures for granted.

Adam Foster, a tattoo artist, has created a piece in memory of Dr Amged El-Hawrani, an ENT consultant at Queen's Hospital Burton, who has passed away from coronavirus, showing him with his team. (Credit - Adam Foster)

Wild animals are venturing into previously human-dominated areas

Positivity and Mental Health

5 Positives To Come Out of Lockdown

Big and Small Positives from Home and Around the World - due to Coronavirus

What positives have come out of lockdown for you?