It’s important to know that during these uncertain and stressful times as overwhelming as the world seems right now, if we stick together we can beat this once and for all. We just need to stay home.
At the moment, we are isolated physically from one another, in ways we have never experienced. This is overwhelming, uncertain and anxiety-producing. While we can’t change what is happening, what we can do is take care of ourselves and support one another emotionally.
Whatever you are currently experiencing emotionally – shock, disbelief, fear, anxiety, overwhelm, sadness, or anger – maybe some or all of these emotions, you are not alone.
Some days it can be so overwhelming and stressful.
While so much emphasis is on taking care of our physical health, reducing and slowing the spread of COVID-19, which is essential, our mental health is just as important as our physical health right now. Taking care of and managing our emotions during this crisis is not an option; it is an essential part of coping with the changes inour home, community, and the greater world.
As in any crisis, we are being asked to alter our lives. As an island and throughout the world, we are being asked to distance ourselves from one another and self-quarantine. We must stay at home and only go out for necessities or for essential work. Understandably, all of these changes impact our own, and our family’s, mental health.
We must:
KEEP A ROUTINE
Wake up, shower, have a coffee, do your hair and get ready as if you were going to work. This has allowed some normalcy into my day-to-day. Also, as much as I would be more comfortable in my tracksuit, I have tried to dress in clothing similar to what I would wear at work. This keeps my brain stimulated and in “work mode.” That way my children don’t see a slobby mum but a tidy, groomed mum which helps their mental state too.
DIGITAL DISTRACTIONS
A lot of my family and friends are also in London, so it has been great catching up with everyone over FaceTime now that we have so much extra time on our hands.
Digital platforms have also stepped up, there is so much interaction now with Instagram too.
You can challenge friends to games you’d normally play in person like Scrabble.
HOBBIES
Challenge yourself to pick up a new hobby, or get back to an old one.
Some friends are learning to sew, learning new cooking recipes and have started doing on line courses. I am currently spending my off-screen time reading (I have a list of about five books after this current one) and I’m getting back into painting.
Also, my house has never been more organised.
Try: Knitting not for you? Why not try:
- Embroidery
- Sewing
- Pickling
- Crocheting
- Making music
- Restoring furniture
- Pottery
- Origami
- Candle making
- Flower pressing
- Painting
- Baking
- Reading
- Writing
GET MOVING
Luckily there are numerous fitness studios jumping online to offer classes. Our Kinetic has daily workout routines for you on the blog and on Instagram.
RELAX
Finally, and I think the most important piece of advice, is find time to relax. It can become overwhelming to think about being inside for 14 days or longer. Try to tackle each day as it comes and don’t think about being stuck inside.
