Taking care of yourself during stressful times

Published on 2nd February 2021

BIID Director and Chair of the Membership Committee Matt Freeman reflects on these current difficult times

Working as an interior designer whilst sitting on the BIID Council of Directors and Chairing the BIID Membership Committee has been a very interesting an enlightening experience over the past year. Whilst I have had to adjust to working from home and managing site installations during the pandemic, I have also got an insight into how our members have been handling these difficult times. During our virtual meeting last week, we discussed a letter from a member that gave us an important insight into some of the struggles that she had faced over the past year, as well as suggestions of actions the BIID could take. The committee is specifically focused on continually improving the range of benefits and support that we offer members and getting feedback from members is so important to that process.

As difficult as times are at the moment, I am incredibly grateful to have health and financial security. This pandemic has devastated so many lives, from those who have died or become ill, those who have lost loved ones and those who have lost their jobs or had their businesses damaged. Of course, those who still have jobs and are lucky enough to be working at home in a ‘safe’ environment can still be under enormous stress with caring responsibilities or an unsuitable environment. For designers, with all live events postponed our sources of inspiration have diminished and our networking opportunities have been scaled back.

Even if we haven’t personally been affected in a life changing way, I think it is important that we don’t underestimate the widespread toll on mental health. At the beginning of the first lockdown last year, I was working incredibly long hours. I think I did this partly to distract myself from what was going on outside. However, it just led to me becoming increasingly stressed, not being able to switch off at night and waking each day with a bursting to do list. After realising that this was not a sustainable situation, I decided to set a strict 9.00am to 5.30pm work day for myself with an hour for lunch. After 5.30pm I don’t return to my desk but do answer any urgent calls. Whilst I know such a routine is not possible for everyone, if it is, I would strongly consider instituting it for yourself.

Yoga and Meditation

In addition to this working routine, I have also found my yoga practice incredibly important. I was lucky enough to be introduced to yoga many years ago, while at university. This interest evolved into practising meditation alongside embracing a better diet and fitness routine. Throughout the past year, I made sure time to practise yoga was scheduled into each day (using Yoga With Adrienne as my teacher via YouTube). I also tried some breathing techniques (following the Wim Hoff method) but drew the line at his recommendation of cold showers. Meditating can be frustrating as the goal of calmness can sometimes come very easily and at other times is nowhere to be found. However, as I have learned, this is all part of the process and getting hung up on why you cannot reach a place of calmness and stillness can hold you back.

If you have positive thoughts, these often lead to positive feelings which then can lead to positive emotions. This can also work with negative thoughts. In this time of struggle and uncertainty finding the positivity and enjoyment can feel very difficult, sometimes impossible. The endless stream of information available to us can fan the flames of negativity, diminish our attention spans and leave us looking for the next endorphin hit. This is where I think we need to take control, and these are my top tips on how.

Our worlds have shrunk, use your daily walks to explore your local area, hopefully finding new places to experience when you ‘get back to normal’.
Make the most of simple activities like cooking, taking baths and reading can be a way to look after yourself (‘self-care’ to use an increasingly popular phrase). Self-care is so important now, to take time for yourself, do something you love, get to know yourself better.
Be kind to yourself. Look into yourself for the calm and serenity you need every day. Don’t put too much weight on external entities to make you happy.
A carefully made soup or a delicious hot chocolate can become the highlight of your day if you let it. Find happiness and fulfilment in everyday tasks.