It is ok to not be ok in this situation. COVID-19 really sucks, and I have been locked down for 34 days. However, the longer we can all hold out and stay hunkered down, the more of us there will be to celebrate with when it is all over. Stay apart, stay alive, stay safe y’all.
My whole life I have been a square peg in a round hole. I always marched to the beat of my own drum, I always looked for the road less traveled, and never tried too hard to fit in. I saw these quirks as my strengths in life, and many times they have been strengths and are what makes me who I am.
However, if there was any time to bravely be a sheep, it is now. Listen to the scientists, listen to the health experts, wash your hands, stay inside, wear a mask, keep away from others and you will save lives. It is that simple. Your time to shine, to party, to interact, to hug and embrace will come again, so long as we all do our part now.
In the UK, although we are in lockdown, we are encouraged to spend about one hour outside for exercise. We can either go alone, or go with other members of our household. In an otherwise difficult situation, I am grateful for the time. Getting outside and breathing the fresh hair is good for your physical and mental health, and it is essential to stay as active as possible. Just make sure to keep six feet from other people and you are good! Get out there and enjoy a little sunshine.
I suppose given the day’s events we can justifiably say, avoid shaking hands with one another for the time being. Although I hate to wish the virus on anyone, it seems somewhat fitting that after defying world health experts that some people ended up with the virus in the end after all. I would recommend taking different actions like elbow bumps; however, maintaining six feet or two metres distance precludes that as well.
So, for the weekend, perhaps plan the ultimate staycation. Please note, it’s ok to snuggle with those who you live with, although avoid touching anyone else and keep washing your hands!
Social interactions are a little weird lately. The very few times I have ventured out, I have made sure to keep a safe distance, even from my good friends. These are simple adjustments we all have to make to stay safe. Social distancing supports your community and keeping that 2m or 6 foot distance will help stop the spread. We will all be able to share in an epic high five and hug eventually, but for now keep your distance and wash your hands.
So here we are. There are a lot of terms being used by the government and world science officials like “self-isolation” and “social-distancing” to describe behaviors we can take to limit the spread of coronavirus. As both require adjusting our social schedules and withdrawing from many group events it is easy to get both mixed up. Here is a friendly definition of both.
Social distancing refers to choosing to work from home whenever possible, refrain from taking unnecessary travel especially on public transportation, and avoiding public places like restaurants, cinemas and bars.
Self isolation requires completely cutting yourself off from the outside world. You might be asked to self-isolate if you start experiencing symptoms of coronavirus, or have close contact with someone experiencing symptoms of coronavirus. In self-isolation you don’t leave your home for two weeks and avoid all face to face contact with the outside world.
Both can be quite lonely, but try not to worry too much. This too shall pass, and there will be wonderful things on the other side.
There is so much information out there about how to handle current events. The best advice is of course, stay calm and wash your hands. Washing your hands protects you, your loved ones and your community and is generally just a good idea. Even in normal circumstances, hand washing is important to prevent the spread of disease and to stay healthy – and to help keep your loved ones who may have compromised immune systems healthy.
After a major event, a big trip or something really demanding, the best way to celebrate is to make sure to get adequate rest. It is totally ok to put your feet up sometimes even if you have other things you could do. Getting enough rest and relaxation can help you be stronger and more productive overall. Take a hint from Avery the official spokespig of The Haven Zoo, having a cuddle under the blankets can be the best way to recharge!
Races can be a lot of fun to participate in and observe. If you ever find yourself in a race, just remember that finishing is enough to make you a champion.
Have you noticed that you might be feeling a bit down this week? Well, don’t worry, that’s actually totally normal due to the lack of sunlight due to shorter days, longer nights and generally grey weather that blocks out the sun. Although “Blue Monday” was a clever marketing scheme, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a real condition that effects many people during this time of year. It’s ok to feel lethargic and irritable – your body just might be craving more serotonin that your brain isn’t producing as much due to the lack of sun. If you do feel down, and notice that you typically feel down this time of year, take comfort in the fact you are not alone. Mental health professionals can help you cope with the winter through light therapy, talk therapy and other treatments. I find it helps to stay productive and try to get some movement in everyday.
Goat of the Day 