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The positive mental health thread:-pt 5

927 replies

tobee · 02/04/2020 19:08

How's that?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
79
Bunnyflop · 16/04/2020 20:12

@benji13 do you mind sharing your banana cake recipe?

Pinkarsedfly · 16/04/2020 20:39

Well, today has been a good day.

DH and I have played lots of ping pong - it clocks up the steps and active minutes on the Fitbit a surprising amount!

I made a tiny little raised bed for my kitchen garden (AKA The Alittlement) and sowed some lavender seeds.

Then I knitted another pair of hearts while listening to Maggie O’Farrell’s Hamnet on Audible.

After I took littlest dog for a walk I made homemade burgers and we had our first al fresco dinner of the year. I even made margaritas to mark the occasion.

DH’s Easter eggs to us all finally turned up so there’s been some chocolate-scoffing too.

And my mum’s care-home made it into yh

Pinkarsedfly · 16/04/2020 20:42

Argh!

Pressed send too soon, sorry.

My mum’s care-home made it into the local press as a good example of how the staff are really pulling together, with carers living in and really keeping the residents’ spirits up. It was very reassuring.

A good day - hope you’ve all had some happy moments today too.

Spudlet · 16/04/2020 22:06

Just put my sewing machine away - I don’t know if you have seen but there are lots of volunteers groups being set up to make scrubs, scrub caps and laundry bags for NHS and social care staff. I’m a very amateur sewer (got my machine for Christmas) but I have just made my first laundry bag. Hoping the process will get smoother with a bit of practice Hmm

It’s nice to feel I’m doing something to help though, no matter how small. My next door neighbour says she’s going to give me some old sheets and duvet covers to use, so I’m just waiting for those and some new machine needles and I’ll be on it.

Benji13 · 16/04/2020 22:06

@bunnyflop
The banana cake was delicious!!

2 mashed up overripe bananas
140g butter, caster sugar, SR flour
1tsp baking powder
2 eggs

2lb loaf tin - bake 180 degrees for 40 mins.
Then icing sugar on top!
Very light and tasty ( bbc good food recipe )

Benji13 · 16/04/2020 22:14

@Pinkarsedfly that’s lovely news about your mums care home- very reassuring indeed!
I’m sure she’s being very well looked after.
It’s very hard not seeing them. My friends mum is in a care home and she can FaceTime her which the carers organise.
I can see my mum and dad who live locally from the top of their drive and wave plus I FaceTime them regularly which helps. Dad has early stage dementia and we need to make sure he doesn’t forget us.
I feel robbed of time with them really as so many of us do and ache for a bloody big hug.
My mum is made of strong stuff though and makes the best of things with a smile and a laugh.

Noooblerooble · 16/04/2020 22:59

I love that someone is pingponging their way through the crisis. Grin I hear sales of paddling pools went through the roof last week too. Crazy Brits.

I had such a nice day pottering. My time in the garden did me so much good. I got lots of work done and I chatted to 2 elderly locals on the phone. One has breathing problems but wouldn't stop talking Grin She was telling me with horror about her elderly neighbour who'd been mowing her lawn without a bra despite the fact she most definitely needed one and told me she'd made a cake which was 'the dog's gonads'. I think she cheered me up more than I did her.

I also bumped into a friend on a dog walk. Her husband works at a major London hospital and said they are coping, they have beds, they have ppe. It's not been as bad as they were anticipating. That helped so much.

This last 3 weeks have been tough for me but I know the next 3 will bring better news and some hope. We just have to stick it out together.

CommanderShepard · 16/04/2020 23:15

DD2 got her place at the school DD1 and I are at which is a big relief! Not that it should have ever been a problem as she's a sibling in catchment but to say our school is oversubscribed is putting it mildly (I've just totally outed myself there, but hey ho)

And there are so many signs of spring in my garden. It's been a good day.

Arcadia · 17/04/2020 07:00

Hi all, glad yesterday was mainly positive for people!
I will be making that banana bread recipe as well thanks for that.
I had a lovely day yesterday, we pottered around and didn't do much but it was just nice.
I've started writing a simple diary/journal just to keep track of the days a bit and what me and DD are doing now I'm now working for a month.
Signs that DP's job at the hospital may be slightly easing up - fingers crossed we may even get a day off with him at some point!
I rang my Mum early evening as I thought she might be down about the lockdown extension (she's alone) and she was really excited as she's finally managed to get an Ocado delivery slot!
Clapping for NHS in our street has become more of a catch up chat with neighbours - just lovely to see everyone come out and looking well and a sense if community that I've never experienced in our very reserved English street before. We have a fair few NHS staff as well so it's nice to see them too.

Bunnyflop · 17/04/2020 07:21

@UpOnDown come on in! 🙂

@Benji13 thanks for the recipe! 👍

@Noooblerooble I’m glad you had a better day.

@spudlet wish I had some fat quarters to make stuff for the nhs as I could knock some of those things up easily by hand- but I got rid of all my sewing stuff because one of my pins fell on the rug, ds walked across it, half of it got lodged in his foot and he had to have surgery to have it removed! Sad

Orangeblossom78 · 17/04/2020 08:31

We managed to find flour in the local Co-op recently, it was not there for ages but now seems to have returned

On hearing this is going on in the same manner for the next 3 weeks, I have decided on some changes for me which are basically, less news and more exercise, as i have put on a few pounds since this lockdown. Prior to this i did over the recommended steps just doing the walk to school and walk to the sports centre, missing my classes etc. it really helps with boosting my mood as well.

So, those are going to be my two main goals for the next 3 weeks. Exercise more, eat less (might try the 5.2 perhaps) stress less (less news). So, going to try only looking at news once a day and in a place I can cope with it (newspaper I find OK rather than general TV one) and also try and be a bit healthier. If the virus gets me I will then be in a better state for it too! I have downloaded a novel on my kindle to distract me if I start feeling I need to check any updates / feel am missing anything. A lot of it just journalists giving their opinions anyway.

Orangeblossom78 · 17/04/2020 08:33

That banana cake recipe is really nice, my DC enjoy it too

M0reGinPlease · 17/04/2020 08:35

Morning all. Glad everyone's feeling mostly upbeat.

I think the next three weeks are going to be a lot easier than the last three. There is light at the end of the tunnel now and we're moving towards it. Hopefully the news will continue to get more and more positive.

We're nearly through another week gang! Well done everyone.

Orangeblossom78 · 17/04/2020 09:15

You have made me think of the ping pong and how we can fit that on the kitchen table. We live in a flat and that might be something my boys can do. Thanks Flowers

Yes, we can't control some things which happen only how we try and respond to it I suppose. Something I remember learning as part of CBT.

I was just reading this article in the papers about how things might change in future e.g. walking round in circles in the park, no idea how I would find that but guess would deal with it. I do think some of it sounds a bit kind of obsessive but there we go

*Scientists are exploring how we can exit into a state of “resilient normality” which would make us less susceptible to future pandemics.

“There’s increasing pressure to reopen the economy and get people back to work and out of isolation. But if we return to operating as we did before the pandemic, there will be a second wave of the virus,” William Sutherland, of the University of Cambridge, said.

A review by Professor Sutherland of measures being considered globally include restricting public park access to different age groups at different times. People could also be asked to walk clockwise around large open spaces.

School classes could be split into smaller groups with dedicated teachers, who only go into school one week in every three. Petrol stations might offer a valet service, with customers paying from inside their car.

Shops might insist on contactless payments, and stop playing music so people do not have to move closer to hear each other. Minimum spends could be brought in to cut trips to stores. Hugs might be limited to small “bubbles” of close friends and family, while home working and good hygiene will be promoted. During outbreaks, pets that could carry the disease might have to be locked indoors.

Some portions of society might be allowed out first. “China did this by region, but would this be acceptable in the UK?” Professor Sutherland said. ‘‘The question is what’s likely to be effective, and what would society will accept?

“It’s about how to stop people hanging around together, and phasing in activities, starting with the ones that are the safest.” For example, allowing small businesses to open early, leaving concerts until later*

IdrisElbasLeftTesticle · 17/04/2020 09:24

From the c-19 research at kings college, which has nearly 2.5 million people across the country reporting symptoms daily. Numbers of infections have fallen dramatically in the past few weeks:

covid.joinzoe.com/post/covid-cases-fall

Asgoodasarest · 17/04/2020 10:47

@Orangeblossom78 I’m feeling the same as you and you’ve inspired me to get myself back on track. The first week or so I was managing some exercise, but now I’m doing virtually nothing. I feel rubbish and unmotivated and it’s spilling over into everything else. I think I had all these ideas of how I was going to improve myself and get better habits etc. The reality is I don’t have the brain capacity to change loads of stuff overnight and I’ve then ended up feeling a failure and the cycle continues.
I’ve got couch to 5k to start and a work goal to hit. Plus two children to keep amused. If I do those three then I think I’ll have really achieved something. Even if my house is still a tip and I’m cooking the same dinners I always have done!

Orangeblossom78 · 17/04/2020 10:53

Yes, I also have two children and supposed to start the home schooling again on Monday so it is a bit limited to what can be managed. before this would be doing some exercise in the day while they were at school plus the school walk which is up a very large hill!

We live in a flat also which is not great for exercise but I guess I might go up and down the steps perhaps and we do have the park nearby. I have got this zero app (fasting) and might try 16:8 daily instead of 2 fast days a week, will see. It will be a distraction as well as a health thing as I've out on nearly half a stone since lockdown which isn't great. Stress-eating mainly. Going to cut down on booze also.

Bunnyflop · 17/04/2020 12:52

@Orangeblossom78 I’m with you also. I’ve put on a stone over the last couple of years down to trying to cheer myself up with chocolate and unhealthy meals. The lockdown has been a positive thing for me in terms of committing to meditating and doing long walks at a pace every day, getting my priorities straight re my health for once. So my weight is the next thing to tackle. I’m hoping the exercise will help a bit. I’m also trying to eat more veg in place of carbs at dinner and watch my portion size.

Arcadia · 17/04/2020 12:57

www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/17/coronavirus-statistics-good-news-facts-figures-covid-19-upside

Positive news stories from The Guardian

Noooblerooble · 17/04/2020 13:24

Hiya everyone. I'm feeling good today so hope you are all coping. Lovely to read more positive stuff so thank you so much for the links. My friend and I have been texting eachother this morning planning on exactly what cake we're going to eat when we catch up. I can't not hug her for a couple of years. No way. We are just going to have to risk it. I can't wait. It will be the best hug ever.

I stopped exercising last week as I got so stressed. I think I need to drag my bum out on a run today. It would do me good.

DianneWhatcock · 17/04/2020 13:40

@Noooblerooble

Go for a run! I PROMISE you will feel better. I have run most days...It's helped me so much

@IdrisElbasLeftTesticle thank you for sharing that that's great news about infection rates falling !

riotlady · 17/04/2020 13:45

@Bunnyflop @Callybrid I did enjoy Top Gun! It was a lot more homoerotic than I anticipated xD that volleyball scene!

I need to get into more exercising too. I was doing quite well with C25k before the lockdown (halfway through week 5) but it’s fallen by the wayside a bit. Might try and go for a run later

Orangeblossom78 · 17/04/2020 14:10

Welcome upondown Flowers

Bunnyflop · 17/04/2020 14:58

Just discovered that John Krasinski has set up his own good news show on YouTube, worth checking out.

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