Small lifts in strange times: how I stayed grounded during lockdown

Winter had finally retreated. The nights were lighter, mornings kinder, and I was no longer clinging to my duvet like a survival blanket. Then, of course, Covid-19 arrived and tossed life as we knew it up in the air.

There’s a heavy what-if hanging in the air still, and H and I could easily spiral into a Netflix-Black Mirror fueled hole. Instead, we’ve made a quiet pact to stay grounded in what’s good.

Stretch your legs

British weather isn’t known for its motivational qualities. When it’s drizzling for the fourth day in a row, the urge to cocoon under a blanket with a tub of ice cream is strong. During my third “staycation” of the year, it would’ve been easy to slip into a nocturnal routine of late nights, late mornings, and zero fresh air.

But even on the bleakest afternoons, we’ve shrugged on our coats and wandered out. Sometimes for an hour, sometimes for just fifteen minutes, long enough to feel the cold on our cheeks and remember we’re still part of the world. A brisk walk to the coast has worked better than caffeine for shaking off the cobwebs. Plus, it’s free, which makes it even more satisfying when you’re counting pennies.

Eat like you mean it

Comfort food has its moment, until the sugar crash hits and you realise you’ve eaten your body weight in chocolate digestives. At the start of lockdown, my snack ‘hamper of joy’ was an emotional support system, but eventually my waistband protested.

So, we started experimenting in the kitchen. New spices, new recipes, dishes that actually took time. Cooking stopped being a chore. Food diversity, as I later learned, isn’t just fun, it feeds the good bacteria in your gut, the same ones quietly supporting your mood, metabolism, and immunity.

Discover fermented tea

At some point, curiosity (and mild heartburn) led me to kombucha. I tried JARR Kombucha, a tart, fizzy fermented tea with ancient roots, apparently dating back to the Qin Dynasty in 220 BC.

It’s the only thing that’s calmed my heartburn completely. I can’t promise it’ll do the same for everyone, but I’ve become a convert. The JARR Original, Ginger, Passion Fruit, and Raspberry flavours have earned a spot in our fridge. You can find them at Selfridges, Harrods, Whole Foods Market, Planet Organic, and directly from jarrkombucha.com from £2.29.

Not bad for something that tastes like it’s working hard for your wellbeing.

Top up your nutrients

Lockdown meant less sunshine, fewer steps, and a serious dip in vitamin D. I’ve learned this the hard way when I skip it. So instead of impulse-buying gadgets or another candle I don’t need, we invested in supplements from Pharma Nord.

Their vitamin D, omega-3 and selenium ranges have been my secret weapons for strong bones, better energy, and fewer midlife grumbles.

Switch off the doom scroll

The news cycle during lockdown was like a car alarm you couldn’t turn off. It was constant, shrill, and impossible to ignore. I was glued to the updates until the anxiety started to buzz under my skin. Eventually, I rationed my news intake the way I ration chocolate biscuits. One update a day, then done. My sleep improved, and so did my mood. Sometimes ignorance really is restorative.

Micro-lifts for the soul

Even when the world’s gone quiet, it’s worth getting dressed up for yourself. I still wear mascara at home. I still spritz perfume for no audience. These micro-lifts are the small habits that punctuate a normal day, and are easy to abandon, but they make a world of difference.

We underestimate the power of the little things that make us feel alive: a bold lipstick, a walk by the sea, a proper meal instead of cereal at lunch. None of it’s frivolous; it’s fuel.

So this week, maybe start there. Do one small thing that makes you feel human again. What’s your micro-lift? Drop it in the comments below.