Mental health can take a knock during a lockdown. Here are some suggestions of ways to stay sane during the COVID-19 pandemic
Whether you’re a health worker on the frontline or you’re in self-isolation, the COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to impact our mental as well as our physical health. In these crazy times, it’s important we’re aware of this and consciously support our own mental wellbeing.
Here are some tips for staying sane plus some resources for staying socially connected while social-distancing. We’ll be regularly updating this page, so make sure you check back for changes and additions.
Contents:
Tips for staying sane during the pandemic
If you are in crisis and need someone to talk to, head to our mental wellbeing resources section below.
1. Set yourself up an amazing WFH space
Here are some must-haves for a morale-boosting, productive work-from-home space (check out our working from home tips for more):
- Natural light
- Enough space
- Ergonomically-arranged seat/technology
- Stationery
- Plant-life
2. Listen to an epic Spotify playlist
Here are some of our favs:
- Mood Booster – by Spotify
- Coronavirus Awesome Mix 2020 – by Chuck Stoltz
- Self-Isolation Playlist OFFICIAL – by Kwasi Content Editor, Jojo.
- Super Happy Fun Playlist – by Kwasi keyword researcher, Caitlin.
3. If you’re not working, do some DIY
Now is the time to get shit done. Got a shelving unit you never put up, pictures you haven’t hung, garden beds to make, a garage to sort out, or broken stuff to fix? Social-distancing (or self-isolation) is giving you just the excuse you needed to do it.
And remember, many hardware stores and garden centres are still available online and now offer contact-less delivery. No excuses!
4. Marvel at nature
Nature is amazing at the best of times. But just look how it’s blossoming in our absence. At least something good for the planet is coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Have a read: Coronavirus shutdowns have unintended climate benefits
5. Think of the greater good
By staying at home, you’re doing your bit to #StopTheSpread and help save lives.
6. Remember this is temporary
Nothing stays the same forever. China is already recovering from COVID-19. If we follow the advised health and safety best practices, we will be too soon enough.
If you’re struggling to adjust to the “new normal”, that’s perfectly understandable. Things are a little weird for everyone right now. Take a look at the mental wellbeing resources below if you need additional support.
7. Get exercise and fresh air
If you live in the urban jungle, your access to fresh air might be more limited, but it’s important to continue to exercise how and when you can. Plenty of gyms, fitness studios and personal trainers are now offering virtual workout options.
Here are some that we know of:
- Melissa Fitness online home workouts
- Keep It Cleaner (KIC) free online workouts on Facebook
- The Body Coach TV YouTube channel
- Centr workouts with Chris Hemsworth – free for 6 weeks
8. Try mindfulness
If you haven’t tried mindfulness before, you might think it’s not for you. But mindfulness can be for everyone. It’s just about consciously bringing yourself into the present moment.

This is particularly important if your mind has a tendency to run away with itself into the future, imagining worst-case scenarios or worrying “what if”. It’s also useful for those who tend to ruminate on the past, analysing what happened or punishing themselves for things they did or didn’t do.
This article on Beyond Blue has some simple tips for incorporating mindfulness into your day.
9. Pay it forward
The elderly and vulnerable need extra support during this time. They may not have a suitable device or the technical know-how to stay connected to loved ones. If you have a spare device that can be sanitised and lent to someone in need, you’d be doing a brilliant thing to help boost that person’s morale.
With a bit of help, you could get them connected via one of the following video calling tools in no time at all.
- Zoom
- Facetime (iPhone)
- Skype
- Google Hangouts
- Teamviewer
- Logmein
- Houseparty
10. Upskill yo’self
Check out all the virtual and online training options now being offered by various providers. We’re curating a list of our favs.
Social media funnies
5 Stages of Quarantine (Lord of the Rings)
Bin Isolation Outing Facebook Group
Virtual event listings
It’s never been more important to stay connected to those around you. While we can’t do this physically, we can connect virtually. At Kwasi, we genuinely care about our people, our clients and the community. We believe it’s important to maintain human contact – safely through a screen – during this time and continue to support one another.
With this in mind, we’ll be hosting a number of virtual events to which you’re all invited. Stand by for details… (And in the meantime, check out our business survival tips.)
Mental wellbeing resources
Here are some helpful things to read, listen to and watch during this crazy time to help keep your mental wellbeing on an even keel.
Lifeline Australia – call 13 11 14
Beyond Blue – chat online or call 1300 22 4636
Things to watch:
A list of videos that will boost your morale.
Growing with Gratitude – free online courses for kids (benefits for parents too), sharing their 5 Habits for Happiness program.
#TogetherAtHome – performances recorded by your favourite artists at home in self-isolation.
StayHome #WithMe – an entire channel created by YouTube serving up videos in the following categories to keep you entertained while in self-isolation:
- Jam with me
- Cook with me
- Workout with me
- Meditate with me
- Game with me
- Hangout with me
- Clean with me
- Draw with me
- Study with me
- Craft with me
- Plant with me
- Journal with me
- Read with me
Things to read:
A list of articles to make you feel better.
How to Build Mental Toughness in Your 20s (or 80s) – a psychologist’s letter (of tips) to his 22-year-old self.
27 Ways to Instantly Feel Better When You’re Down
Things to listen to:
A list of podcasts for good mental health.
Feeling Good podcast – describing powerful new techniques to overcome depression and anxiety and develop greater joy and self-esteem.
MindLove podcast – a podcast designed to give your mind a little love.
No Feeling is Final – ABC radio program presented by Honor Eastly.
Holding on to Hope podcast – stories of hope and connection, produced by Lifeline.
Happy Place podcast – a podcast devised and hosted by UK television presenter Fearne Cotton, in which she explores what happiness means for her celebrity guests.
If you have any questions about how we can help you and your business during these times, please reach out. We’re in this together.