Living through Covid times – One year later: Self-Care Ideas

On March 23rd, 2020, an announcement was made by the Prime Minister regarding a lockdown that would change the way of life and living as we knew it. Not only would it do that for us here in the UK, but it was also WORLDWIDE!

There had been some reports in the news from around November 2019 about COVID-19, but even so, what has followed has truly been a one-of-a-kind experience.

Never in the history of my time has the World shut down….

Please see Living through Covid times – One year later: Self Care Ideas which covers:

1. Introduction
2. Illustrative examples: Self Care Ideas
3. Living through Covid times – One year later: Self Care Ideas
4. Useful Links: Self-Care Ideas
5. Our final thoughts/Our YouTube Video

© Copyright 2019 Grief Probate Journey Blog *PLEASE NOTE THIS INFORMATION IS SOURCED FROM UK and AMERICAN WEBSITES* It is also based on our own experience. *We are not experts in this field, we are speaking purely on our own experience with information sought from the internet to give further examples. *

1. Introduction

On March 23rd, 2020, an announcement was made by the Prime Minister regarding a lockdown that would change the way of life and living as we knew it. Not only would it do that for us here in the UK, but it was also WORLDWIDE!

There had been some reports in the news from around November 2019 about COVID-19, but even so, what has followed has truly been a one-of-a-kind experience.

Never in the history of my time has the World shut down.

This is the most surreal, life-altering, life-changing, overwhelming, mentally challenging experience.

There have been many phases, to begin with, there was unity and solidarity as we all tried to get through life in lockdown times.

There was the horrible times of supermarket shelves being empty, panic buyers, online shopping with no delivery slots available. Introduction of wearing a mask, this becoming mandatory, vulnerable and “elderly” people having to shield.

There has been:

• Separation from family and friends
• Cancellations of Weddings, Holidays, Funerals having to be done virtually
• Loved ones in hospital with no visitors at their side.
• A life of living inside only going out for essential shopping and exercise.
• Feeling like a robot or as though you are living in a real-life movie.
• There have been highs, lows.
• Many plans have had to change
• Many lives have been lost (due to Coronavirus and other conditions)
• There have been many restrictions
• There have been increases in Mental Health problems, domestic violence, suicide cases (and many other situations).

There has been separation and division as some countries moved out of lockdown. In the UK Tier systems were introduced.

This whole situation, it can truly make you feel as though you have lost your identity and your freedom.

It can also feel like what is “normal” what will life be once the restrictions are no longer in place. What happens then.

This situation can make it so easy to become isolated and a recluse. It can be so easy to get caught up in your own little bubble, literally shutting everything and everyone out. It is much easier to do this now as we are very limited on what we can do, where we can go.

It truly has been difficult times just with the major worldwide pandemic, but then within that there is also daily lives and things that continue to go on no matter what. It can make living through these times seem even more diffiicult

There is also the children. The children are our future. This pandemic has changed the world as we know it as adults. But what this must be like for children, the impact this could be having on them is unknown. They became to know the world being one way and then it dramatically changed. Secondary school children missing exams. Graduates having to start university terms virtually. Primary school children all of a sudden no longer going to school, not playing with their friend’s. No longer having or attending birthday parties. They go back to school, they have to stop going to school, there is frequent inconsistency. It is alot to take on and deal with.

No more than ever our mental state of mind and wellbeing is so important. It is easier said than done with life going on around us, but we really need to do whatever we can find that helps to stimulate our mind and soul so that when things do, eventually get back to some form of normality we will be ready for it in mind, body and soul.

This was not a planned topic but sitting thinking about life and what we have all been through worldwide it felt like something that needed to be done.

Feeling good starts from within, and whatever we can do to make ourselves and one another uplifted, we should try our best to do that whenever possible.

2. Illustrative examples Self Care Ideas

 

3. Living through Covid times – One year later: Self Care Ideas

3.1 Dealing with Uncertainty During the Coronavirus Pandemic

“Life is filled with uncertainty, especially at times like this. · The role of uncertainty in life · Learning to cope with uncertainty · Tip 1: Take action over the things you can”…

3.2 Coronavirus grief: Coping with the loss of routine during the pandemic
“Understand how the loss of routine can cause grief and what you can do to cope … people to lose a sense of safety, predictability, control, freedom and security. … For instance, if your identity is closely tied to your job, losing your job could”…

3.3 The New Normal: How life has changed due to COVID-19 (and tips to help you cope)

“One thing that is certain, we know that adjusting to change can be challenging. Be it planned or unplanned, gradual or sudden, change is inevitable and very much part of being human. Over the past few months, we’ve experienced an unprecedented shift in our way of life due to COVID-19”….

3.4 7 Mental Health Coping Tips for Life in the time of COVID-19

“The uncertainty, stress and isolation of the coronavirus pandemic are the ingredients for a perfect “anxiety stew.” Here are some steps you can”…

3.5 Living with the Pandemic if you already have mental health problems

“Tips on living with the (COVID-19) pandemic if you already have mental … It’s important, at a time like this, to be aware of our mental health and how we are”…

3.6 Coronavirus – looking after your mental Wellbeing | Mind

“5 Jan 2021 — Taking care of your wellbeing in the pandemic can feel difficult. … These tips may work for different people at different times. … You may have practical needs while living through the coronavirus pandemic, especially during”…

3.7 Tips for Coping With Coronavirus If You Live Alone

“While there are some perks to living alone during this time—like not feeling the emotional burden of looking after young children or circumventing the”…

3.8 Living well with Cancer during the coronavirus pandemic

“Living well with cancer during the coronavirus pandemic … People living with mental health problems often find that they find it harder to cope during times of”…

3.9 Coronavirus | Alzheimer’s Society

“(7 Jan 2021) — Living with dementia at any time brings everyday challenges for the person and those around them. Coronavirus is making daily life much”…

3.10 Living Alone in the Time of COVID-19 | Bayhealth

“Living Alone in the Time of COVID-19. Healthy Aging, COVID-19, Mental Health. Living alone, staying at home or working from home to avoid the spread of the”…

4. Useful Links: Self-Care Ideas

4.1 Mental Health/Loneliness During the Pandemic

• Get help from a mental health charity helpline – NHS
• Living with worry and anxiety amidst global uncertainty
• Talking mental health with young people at secondary school – Anna Freud
• You’re never too young to talk mental health tips for talking for parents and carers – Anna Freud
• Britain Get Talking – Young Minds
• Practical tips for living and studying in the time of COVID-19
• Coronavirus and living with a lung condition | British Lung Foundation
• Coping with loneliness during the coronavirus outbreak – NHS
• Loneliness during coronavirus | Mental Health Foundation
• Mayo Clinic: Helping kids cope with loneliness during COVID-19
• How to Cope With Loneliness During the Coronavirus Pandemic
• Three tips for coping with loneliness in lockdown – Young Minds
• Strategies for Coping with Isolation and Loneliness During the Pandemic
• PROTECTING EVERYONE DURING THE CORONAVIRUS CRISIS
• Grief and COVID-19: Mourning our bygone lives
• Change, loss and bereavement | Mental Health Foundation

4.2 Mindfulness During the Pandemic

• Mindfulness – NHS
• Coronavirus: guide to mental wellbeing | quakersocialaction
• A Mindful Approach to Coronavirus – College Department
• Mindfulness and Covid-19
• Covid-19 Mindfulness Resources – UCLA Health
• How Mindfulness Can Help During COVID-19 | Child Mind
• Mindfulness for Global Pandemics | Breathworks
• Mindfulness & Managing Stress during the COVID-19 Pandemic

4.3 Self-Care

• An Introduction to Self-Care – Anna Freud Centre
• Anna Freud – Self-care for parents and carers
• Self-Care, Anxiety, Depression, Coping Strategies | On My Mind
• Self-Care tips for young parents and carers – Anna Freud
• Self-Care tips for Young People | One You – NHS
• Self-Care Tips During the Coronavirus Pandemic | Everyday
• Self-Care in the Time of Coronavirus | Child Mind Institute
• NHS England » Self Care is for life (not just for COVID)
• Self-Care during COVID – 19 | Combat Stress

4.4 Anxiety and Coronavirus

• Worried about Coronavirus? 10 Tips To Help Manage Anxiety
• Coronavirus Anxiety: Coping with Stress, Fear and Worry
• Coronanxiety Support & Resources – Anxiety UK
• Preventing Coronavirus From Affecting Your Anxiety | Priory
• Coronavirus Anxiety | Anxiety and Depression Association of America
•  How to manage our anxiety about Coronavirus (COVID-19)
• Anxious about Coronavirus – tips for coping |Age UK
• NHS Every Mind Matters – Advice For COVID – 19 Anxiety

4.5 Outdoor Activities During Lockdown

• Outdoor Lockdown Ideas for Families | Day Out With The Kids
• Looking for things to do in lockdown outside? 18 ways to enjoy the outdoors
• The best outdoor activities in London right now | CN Traveller – Condé Nast Traveller
• Play in time of lock-down – Outdoor Play and Learning
• Outdoor activity sheets during coronavirus lockdown. Free
• 10 Fun Outdoor Activities For Adults During Lockdown – Pinterest

4.6 Grieving during the pandemic

• Coronavirus, bereavement and grief | Cruse Bereavement Care
• Grief and Loss | CDC
• Grief and bereavement during the COVID-19 Pandemic
• Coping with loneliness and bereavement during Covid
• Coronavirus: How to grieve a loved one when you cant say goodbye
• Grief and COVID-19: Saying goodbye in the age of physical distancing
• Grieving During the Covid-19 Pandemic – Brigham Women’s Hospital
• 5 Strategies for Coping With Grief During a Pandemic | WIRED
• Grief and loss of resilience are rising because of Covid-19 – Vox
• The Pandemic of Grief: How we mourned 2020 together but alone
• 6 Useful Tips For Anyone Grieving Their Pre-Pandemic Life
• What we’ve learned about grieving during the pandemic
• Self-Care During Grief Tips: How to Create a Practical Self-Care Plan

5. Our final thoughts/Our YouTube Video

Throughout these trying times, one thing we have found helpful and makes a difference to uplift us from within is talking and communicating with people. Although we are seperated, remaining connected and having conversations is a priceless tool that rewards us immensely mentally and physically. This is not only for the person who receives the message/call, but also for the person who makes that contact. As humans we are used to this form of connection and communication.

It’s also a way of focusing on the conversations you are in, it’s also a time to forget about what we are living through Worldwide. For me, I could be having a moment of wonder of what is to be, feeling overwhelmed and then a message or a phone call lights up my face and makes me feel joy from within. And from that moment onwards any fear, or doubts I might have had they go away. And I focus on the positive energy and feeling good.

This is why we felt it a good idea to once again mention the campaign that was started to encourage people and families in Britain to get talking to one another.

Britain Get Talking – Young Minds

“On Saturday 5th October, ITV launched Britain Get Talking, a major new campaign to promote mental wellbeing, with support from ourselves and Mind. The campaign launched during Britain’s Got Talent: The Champions, with Ant and Dec pausing the programme for a minute of silence to encourage viewers to talk to each other”. (5 Oct 2019).

We look forward to the future with faith hope and positivity. We hope this topic might be of use to anyone who might read it. As always we’d like to wish you a safe day, evening, night and week ahead and beyond.

 

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