The positive mental health thread part 6

[Bunnyflop]

Morning all! Welcome to the new thread!

Thanks for the paint recommendations! I’m on it.

@Noooblerooble firstly, hugs. Secondly, we won’t be able to keep the whole country on lockdown until next year because our whole economy will crash. I looked at the news this morning and it said ‘some restrictions’ will stay in place til 2021. Everyone will have to go back to work soon. I imagine we will all have to wear masks and shops will use social distancing.

Let’s all stay away from the news, guys. They publish drama and misery because that’s what people go to them for. Good news isn’t in their interests. Trust me, I used to be a hack myself (and dh is one).

If you’re on Instagram I highly recommend following a load of wildlife accounts (bunnies!) and gardening accounts- they really brighten my day.

I really feel for you being alone most of the time noooble, it must be bloody tough. Keep talking to us here though. Are you doing any more gardening today? The weather is meant to be glorious!

I felt a bit down about a Whitty’s statement, too.

I keep thinking of my grandad, though, who did four years in the trenches of World War One, then had to live through six years World War Two. If he could keep buggering on, so can I.

It's currently out of stock sadly so I hope I've ordered enough!!

That's beautiful @whenwillthemadnessend!

Yes four years in trenches tops a few month in a warm home with food and tv for sure!!!

We can do this.

I think the other important thing to remember is- and Matt Hancock said this about another scientist recently- Chris Whitty is a scientist who advises the government. Things like the economy etc aren't his concern. He advises, he does not make the decisions.

The press are speculating because they do not know what will happen. As I've said before, I think in the next week or two Boris will ride back in from the susnset and present his hero prime minister exit plan.

Also, don't forget in countries which have had no lockdown- as was predicted by some virologists- cases have followed the same pattern, peak and then decline. We are very much over the peak now. Hang in there everyone.

@Pinkarsedfly some of my relatives survived concentration camps, I think about that sometimes.

There is some good news!

China reports no new Covid-19 deaths for the eighth day in a row.

We are getting there & we will get there.

Beautiful day here & am off for a walk soon. Then I think I am going to have to water bits of the garden - the irony of that after last winter!

Henry’s morning update: he ate his lettuce and is now eating his box.

Thank you. We can do this. I feel brighter today so thank you. Whitty's tone was just so negative. It panicked me and evenings are always harder anyway. I spiral quite easily.

I have some work to do today but it's really fulfilling stuff. I am also going to get my butt out for a lovely run in this sunshine and I think I might plant my sweet peas out. They are looking very healthy. I'm debating whether to put out the runner beans because it's been so warm but April feels too early!

I was looking in the mirror this morning and I swear I've lost a little weight. That has made me feel very very happy. It's the little things isn't it?

I am putting my phone in a drawer now. I get too sucked into it and the news. I need to take a bit of control back. I'll be on my laptop but turning my wifi off.

And yes what our ancestors went through in the 2 wars puts this into proportion doesn't it? They were so so brave. I was thinking what it might have been like doing ww2 with daily tv updates of people injured and killed. It would have made it even more horrendous wouldn't it? I know the media needs to report on numbers but it's really bad for society.

Whereabouts are you Noooble? Down south or somewhere colder? I’ve already put my sweet peas out but think I was far too impatient - Scotland and it is still pretty cold. Also meaning to plant runner beans but holding off for a bit there as the mange touts that are out there look a bit sad!

I’ve been thinking about war time too - although in many ways this time is not comparable there are some paralells - feel like I can imagine and empathise much more rather than just viewing it as an abstract awful thing.

The China news is good. BBC yesterday had something about how low numbers had been in vietnam and Thailand - hopefully there is something to be learned from countries like that (think S Korea have also had v low numbers).

Thanks @Bunnyflop ! Good morning all, hope you have a good day!

Good morning! It's another dry day here (not quite sunny yet) but good enough to be able to get washing on the line - I've become my mother and grandmother and take great pleasure in getting the laundry out every morning. Am not doing so well at getting it folded and put away though 🙈

This was in the news today, I hope it might be reassuring for anyone who is working on the NHS front-line or anyone who loves someone who is.

Coronavirus: Test data 'reassuring for front-line healthcare workers' www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-52389044

Thank you for this thread - have just had a major meltdown and over reacted completely - need to stay away from the news for a few days I think. I keep creeping back to it! It's lovely here today and have been for a long walk with DD but feel very shaky today and quite tearful so will stay on here today!

@captain, same here. I don't post on here much, but I do lurk, and find these threads a huge help.
I think if they could give us some idea of WHICH measures they intend to keep in place long term I would feel much more able to cope - it's the not knowing that I'm finding hardest to deal with, I think.
I could cope with most things as long as I'm going to be able to see my adult children and give them a hug sooner than a year!
It does help remembering how people coped during wartime, and that hostages and prisoners get through it. I realise that we, in our warm houses with gardens and the ability to go for walks, are lucky and privileged, it just sometimes all gets on top of me.
Anyway, I'm off to find something else to do in the garden now - I daren't go indoors yet, this morning's wobbly obviously tried DHs patience a little too much...

zoidbbergonthehalfshell am also avoiding DH - did consider doing my manic raking bit in the garden but the last time I did that I raked up all his newly planted seeds. Have been so stressed this morning I've had 2 lattes rather than my usual 1 so am now just wired

I don’t always post but I do come here every day for the Henry update! XD

Afternoon all, I have installed a wifi extender just inside the kitchen door which means I can now sit at the far end of the garden with my laptop which is making me happy today. I am grateful for the nice weather at the moment. I took on an allotment about 5 years ago and have neglected the garden to some extent in its favour. Although I'm still working it's mainly from home so I'm spending more time in the garden and it's looking in much better shape already (I go to the allotment in the evening in my exercise slot).

We dont have a garden ....

I made the (now stupid) decision to stay in the city a couple of years ago having the option of a lovely semi out of town, but job, amazing nurseries/schools, parks, easy transport all on the doorstep and thought it wouldn't be a problem- all shut and irrelevant now..two Dds later and a pandemic and its carpet picnics for us, they're climbing the walls a little and I'm feeling really guilty, going over the 'we could be sat in the garden now' thought-

Especially now the suns out....

Family/friends keep saying 'it's good they're so young, they won't remember any of this' and I'm really trying to keep it fun for them, but had a little tear today looking at the house across.....with a garden and the kids playing out.

Sorry, feeling a bit down today.

We did get Disney + though...

You couldn't possibly have predicted this though Taddda . The parks and other things will be there when we are allowed out again. Disney+ sounds like a good investment.

Just found new thread.
Well done to pp following CBT.

I also did it about 2.5 years ago.
Also didn't hold much hope - best thing I ever did.

I am often drawing on the things I learnt to get me through.

I am stronger and more focused because of it.

Fresh air , exercise , drinking plenty of water, focus on stuff you can enjoy and sleep.

Oh, Taddda, I don’t blame you for feeling a little down - it’s really bloody tough entertaining two little kids all day. Do you have nice routes to walk out on for your exercise time?

In the winter time I take my lot on a lot of ‘night walks’ - after we’ve been stuck inside all day in poor weather they’re usually going a bit feral so I got in the habit of sticking everyone’s coat on and taking them round the block or down to the river path in the dark or dusk. So much more fun than a day walk and amazing for getting rid of a bit of tension. I know we don’t get evening dark at the moment but still might be fun for them to go out at a different time? Take them for a walk in their PJs before bed or first thing before breakfast to mix things up? Might be less people out too so feel more free to move.

Mostly though remember this is temporary. Whatever happens next we’re not in this stage forever.

I’ve been finding homeschool really tough this week - we’ve got full timetables from the schools and work set online. Unlike before the holidays when they were getting on with everything I set pretty well, dcs are absconding when they get fed up to play/read, and they’re getting really grumpy and frustrated with the work. My youngest is trailing around begging for my attention then tantruming when I keep telling him to wait whilst I work out some app I don’t understand or chase a child back to their work... I’m exhausted and so glad we’ve arrived at afternoon screen time... Will rethink our approach and reset tomorrow hopefully...

Thought of all you lot at lunch time when I was about to reach for a coffee but remembered those of you on here who’ve mentioned meditating and did that instead - I have ‘Smiling Mind’ app and did a 6min meditation off that - was interrupted halfway through but even those few short minutes sitting and breathing made me feel so much better.

I’m having a couple of difficult days here. DHs salary has been cut. We should be ok but I worry it might never recover. The school have sent us a lot of work and we both work and have a younger child, so it feels like a lot. I am grateful to have work of course and no lots of people are having a far worse time.

I wish there was some sort of plan or idea of what the Govt is thinking about the exit strategy. I know it is possibly too soon, but it would help.

My self care for the day will be a nice G&T and read my book, once kids are asleep. Roll on bedtime!