The positive mental health thread:-pt 5

[tobee]

How's that?

covid.joinzoe.com/

Have you all got this? It’s nothing horrible, it’s an app which lets you track how you’re feeling - the information goes to researchers who use it to track the possible spread of the virus.

Yes I've been doing that daily @Spudlet and it shows rates in your area if you want to look but you don't have to.
I do it in the evening as scared to 'tempt fate' if I say I'm okay in the morning!!

@Arcadia oh god I know what you mean, lack of testing other than when people end up in hospitals makes the stats look so much worse. and I think some people aren't understanding that that is the case.

I dare not complete it as my hypochondria has gone into overdrive!

Hi everyone, I’m busy cleaning my ears

Easy @Rassy simply click on 'I feel fine' bit - it doesn't list symptoms (unless you click not feeling okay maybe).
I'm a total hypochondriac and it's making me feel better each day to be able to say 'actually I'm still okay today thank you'!

I absolutely agree re death rates @Arcadia

I was having an okay day today, feeling like I was in the swing of things. Then I spoke to my mum who's adamant she's been in the house for five weeks. It's just over three. I am seriously concerned about the impact this will have on her mental health, and the mental health of thousands of other older people.

I agree @M0reGinPlease I think there will be a parallel invisible epidemic of loneliness and mental health problems.
The weaknesses in the mental health services will be exposed at a slightly later stage.
I remember reading somewhere everyone in China had access to a state psychologist via telephone during lockdown. I expect you have to be careful not to criticise the government to them!

We’re worried about my FiL. He lives alone and has been quite unwell over the winter. He was just getting back on course, but being isolated has really knocked him back.

DH is going to check on him this weekend, even if they can only talk through the window it will be better than nothing. I wish we could take DS but of course we can’t - even if we just waved from the car, DS wouldn’t understand why he couldn’t get out and see grandad, and it would be potentially more upsetting than helpful.

Hi everyone
It’s been such a lovely day here, so warm and sunny! After having a bit of a panic, I headed to our big Tesco and it was fine. There was a queue to get in, but it went down quickly. I really stocked up, so hoping not to go now for a while. I had a moment in the frozen aisle and bought neopolitan ice cream and arctic roll (wtaf?) DD was fascinated when I told her they were a treat in the 1980s 😂

Bought next door neighbour a couple of the bounty bars she’s been craving and some hot cross buns and we had a nice chat on the phone. The one good thing to come of this (apart from meeting you lovely lot) is that we’ve got to know the neighbours better and they’re asking for help

The best news today is that as of now, OH will be working from home. It’s been a long time coming (he’s on immunosuppressants), but my god, it’s a relief, even though he’s been working with only one other in his office and has been super careful, not touching doors and constantly washing his hands. Apart from being vulnerable himself, DD has asthma and my mum lives with us

We’ve decided (given that he’s been so careful) that after 7 days, we relax a little. I can’t wait to snuggle up with the massive doofus again ❤️

That’s great news @Millie2013 it must be a relief. You have made me crave Arctic Roll now!

@Callybrid tried calling didn't get through but I'm hoping it goes on its own it's just weird it's only one side?! I always assumed it would be both and I've never had it before i don't think

Hi everyone! How are you all? I've just been catching up on posts now.

This is all so tough isn't it? I'm sick of swinging around between feeling ok and terrified. I keep looking at Italy, Spain and Germany on Worldometer though. We will look like this soon (the screenshot is Italy) This is the worst bit now. It's not going to carry on indefinitely like this.

I have felt run down this week so am finding it harder to keep positive but I took a day off today and flopped. I hope the rest will recharge me. I am planning a takeaway for Friday and am trying to come with an idea to make Easter feel a bit different. Having fun matters so much doesn't it?

Oh and I agree with people talking rubbish on other posts. Every so often I browse other posts to keep on top of things, get very panicked then I sit and analyse things and realise people are posting all sorts of incorrect stuff. A lot of it is people getting anxious and fretting about worst case scenarios that no experts are predicting will happen.

Bunnyflop was it you asking about contact with your mum? I just wanted to say I empathise. I have a very toxic sibling. He did a lot of awful things to me growing up and I felt amazing last year when I cut contact. I have recently messaged him to check on his children. I'm glad I did that but I also realised it would be very bad for me to have more contact so I've left it at that. Things are too serious for me to resume contact. It is a relief. My anxiety spun out of control to hear from him.

Whatever you decide is ok. Do what is best for you.

I do quick checks on Worldometers too Noooble - today’s for USA says hospitalisation is decreasing and the curve is flattening due to social distancing.

At least with other countries ahead of us we have slightly more idea what to expect and to see what works. This whole thing would have been even freakier if we had been in the position of China or Italy.

oh look at Iran a good dip there and they had trouble getting people do social distancing there too

Thank you @Noooblerooble. That gives me hope and I feel like I need it today. Like you I've been feeling a bit bolder and straying onto the main boards and whilst sometimes there's stuff that makes me laugh, generally it's a load of informed rubbish and I wish I hadn't. Today it was people who are absolutely certain we will all be redundant soon which is horrible. I just remind myself that some random stranger on the internet knows nothing really and as you say, is projecting their own insecurities.
I am a bit fascinated by the psychology of all this. I always wonder why people are always more inclined to believe and regurgitate negativity and bad news. Is it a fear of disappointment? I'm inherently optimistic so it really interests me.

@Noooblerooble yes that was me. I’m sorry about your situation. I sent my mum one WhatsApp in reply to her saying I hope she is ok and then I blocked her again. She makes me a nervous wreck. A big part of why I feel so guilty over her is that when things broke down between me and her she naturally didn’t have contact with my son anymore. I tried it anyway for their sake but she just couldn’t bloody behave and I couldn’t cope with it. I love her but can’t sacrifice myself anymore. Does the guilt ever end though?

@CheerfulBunny I think it’s an ‘expect the worst, then be pleasantly surprised by a better outcome’ type thing.

@BunnyFlop I'm NC with my dad. You have my complete sympathy. @Noooblerooble is totally right - it's ok to look after yourself.

Morning everyone. Have a good day. I'm heading out on a nice solitary walk then there are plans to make an Easter cake today and sow some seeds. Plus do some work but hoping I get my project finished today.

No particularly good news here but some nice heart warming stuff

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/04/08/coronavirus-positive-good-news-round-up-portable-priest-two/amp/

At least you are having a good hare day, BunnyFlop.

Re: NC with relatives - I was low contact with my parents but when they died it was horrible. I never thought I'd be glad - don't get me wrong - but it just seemed that there was so much that I'd like to have said, and heard, and never got the chance. I really wish I could have healed the rift - I (subconsciously) always thought I'd get the opportunity, but didn't.

It makes grieving a long and very complicated process, too. I don't know your circumstances, so can't advise do this/do that, but it bears thinking about.

Omg that letter from the 5 year old in the link you shared @Arcadia it’s too sweet!

We actually had a lovely day yesterday. Played in the garden and planted seeds and got very grubby, so took DD in the bath with me and she loved it. Even helped me wash my hair! The whole situation is hard at the moment but I am trying to treasure the extra time we have together.

Think we might make some Easter cakes today, my lovely sister dropped off some cake mix from work a couple of days ago (she works part time at Yorkshire Trading Company, which does not strike me as an essential shop??)