When routines change, it’s easy to let the mind + body develop negative habits. However despite its difficulties, lockdown can be a great opportunity to build more physical and mental strength, plus have some fun too. See below our top tips.
1. Drink less caffeine
In moments of boredom or stress, it’s all too easy to turn to coffee. It tastes great and makes us feel temporarily better. However, the dopamine in our brain slowly fades away and lets adenosine rush back in – causing a huge crash. Learn more about caffeine and what it does to us in our guide.
If you can, it’s best to try to keep caffeine below 150mg a day – especially during during lockdown; a coffee can contain anywhere between 100-400mg of caffeine (it’s always hard to tell as brands don’t pay for caffeine testing). We are the only UK tea or coffee brand to do this, so you know exactly what’s going into your body each time you drink Mission.
For a gentle release of energy we recommend our Energise, Perform or Hydrate blends. EGCG, present in green tea and yerba mate, slows the rate at which we process caffeine and creates a more calm, focused energy release.
2. Commute
We believe that the ‘commute’ to work is still an important tool in our day – even if it’s walking, getting on your bike or a jog around the block to arrive back at home and begin your morning routine. The NHS suggests that starting your day as you do normally helps stop the lines between work and home life being blurred.
3. Keep hydrated
Being even a fractionally dehydrated can have a significant effect on physical and mental performance. Try to drink at least two litres of water per day and throw in natural electrolytes.
Our Hydrate blend has 50mg of natural electrolytes with added Himalayan pink salt. You can it cold on a run or as a matcha latte to warm up at home!
4. Take regular (tea!) breaks
We’re working more than ever, with less breaks and longer hours staring at screens. ‘Zoom fatigue’ has set in and with the days getting ever shorter, productivity can start to dwindle earlier in the daytime.
Taking a five-minute break every hour to make a cup of tea or go for a quick walk will help your focus and reset your productivity.
5. Stretch
If you can’t get away from your desk, it’s still important to alter our posture or do some simple stretching exercises. Refocus your eyes by looking out of the window, or at something far away for a few seconds. See here for a great desk yoga routine.
6. Go screen free
At the end of the working day, one of the best tips for relaxation and unwinding is to put away our phones and laptops; try to take at least two hours to go completely screen free.
I try to go for a run or walk, do a workout, read a book, listen to a podcast or spend some time cooking.
7. Chill out
At Mission, we want people to achieve more than they think is possible and we’ll always try to champion that. However, sometimes you shouldn’t put too much pressure on yourself.
An elite athlete incorporates rest into their routine religiously and we should do the same with our minds. Call a friend, walk, eat some chocolate, watch tv, drink a caffeine-free tea and enjoy the present moment. We’re all lucky to be here – try to make the best of it!
Anything we’re missing here that is working really well for you? Let us know!
