What’s helping you survive COVID induced stress?

[AmandaHugenkiss]

Apologies if there has already been a thread on this topic but I couldn’t find one.

It’s been an absolutely awful year, and tonight’s announcement has just made it worse. Personally I’ve been struggling to sleep with stress, and my usual coping mechanisms haven’t worked.

My boss (an amazingly supportive lady) has discussed mindfulness with me and showed me mindfulness jars which her children have been making at school with water and glitter. Amazingly, they help! I’m trying to use it between meetings at work. My jar has purple glitter in it. 😁

I’ve also discovered ASMR which I watch on YouTube to help me sleep. It’s been a god send. It helps me detach from everything whirling in my brain.

What are you doing that’s helping you cope? Yoga, walking, baking? Share your strategy with me please!

Well going to the gym really helped (although as we’ve all had Covid, it’s being at home all the time which is stressful) now I suppose I’ll have to hit the gin to help with the stress of the gym being closed AGAIN . Oh and Baileys, red wine and mince pies!

Having a really good cry
Accepting that I feel shit right now and thats ok
Daily walk and trying to practise gratitude
More crying
Knowing that this is temporary
Imagining that I am on my fave holiday place and reliving it and having a daydream I am there

Walking
Cuddling my dog
Focusing on what we can do rather than what we can't

Things that give me a reason to get out of bed in the morning:
Work (looking after unwell children in an educational setting).
Four children currently living at home (two with SEN).

Things that make me feel better:
Spending time with DH
Going for walks
Singing with an online choir

Things that give me perspective:
Mentally listing all the things I'm thankful for (I'm having an easy time of it compared to most).

Not finding it hugely stressful but understanding situation well and knowing specific risks. Work.
The sea, walking, family, friends, making fun.

Tonight it was warm mince pies and mulled wine with a few friends outside under their pagoda with a chimney for heat and lanterns. A bit damp, the candles blew out but was still nice.
Yesterday it was fizz, fish and chips under blankets by torchlight with different friends.
I’d have not eaten outside in December previously but it’s nice, if an earlier finish than a supper party.

Sauvignon blanc (far too much)
Walking with my dog
Going to work (NHS)
Having DD home for Christmas
@Mintypylonsfryingsurplus wish I believed this was temporary, the longer it goes on the more depressed and anxious I feel. It’s like being trapped in the scariest Black Mirror episode ever.

Not watching the news, press conferences and just getting on with life.

I've seen some headlines, but to be honest, not really up to speed with what Johnson (I'm sure Whitty and Vallance were there too) has said. Guessing on a complete U-turn. Like that was never coming.

@HildegardeCrowe

Sauvignon blanc (far too much) Walking with my dog Going to work (NHS) Having DD home for Christmas *@Mintypylonsfryingsurplus* wish I believed this was temporary, the longer it goes on the more depressed and anxious I feel. It’s like being trapped in the scariest Black Mirror episode ever.

Someone said to me last week it’s like being in a Black Mirror episode!

We’ve been walking a friends dog for them. It’s amazing how much better it makes you feel.

We’ve been walking a friends dog for them. It’s amazing how much better it makes you feel.

There is a cat that decides to visit me every time I nip out for a "fresh air" break or I'm doing the garden. For some reason he's welded to me. He's a nice distraction.

Plenty of sexy time and Asda mince pies with the brandy buttercream swirls on top.

@DBML

Plenty of sexy time and Asda mince pies with the brandy buttercream swirls on top.

At the same time?

@PhilCornwall1

Well that’s an idea... 😁

[quote DBML]@PhilCornwall1

Well that’s an idea... 😁[/quote]
It is that.

I must admit when I first read your post, I thought it said "lots of sexy time at ASDA". 😮

zoom church, was everyday during lockdown now five days a week.

I listen to a french podcast to help me drop off. it is only five mintes but never hear the end. it is just a little bit to fast and not quite understandable but enough to pick out the odd sentance or two but just the righ tlevel to make me sleep.

I listen to the bare minimum of news.

I try hard to keep things in perspective - Christmas is just a day like any other day. Changing plans this weekend is no more stressful than having to cancel a weekend because someone has flu.
Lots of fresh air and exercise helps. So does lots of sleep.
Seeing the up-side in things, such as no need to pack, trek down a crowded motorway etc.
Be thankful that nearest and dearest are safe and well.

I don't feel stressed due to Covid. Not sure why not. I think there isn't much I can do against it so I just need to roll with it.

Work on the other hand that's giving me loads of headaches.

Eating really well. (And eating non-virtuous stuff if I want)
Getting as much sleep as I need
Walking in the nearby woodlands most days
Baths and face masks and body oil
Trying to make the best of things, finding.the positive angle
Practising gratitude
Crying at Christmas ads if I bloody well want to

Yoga before bed, I love the Down Dog app
Wine and nice food
Christmassy films on Netflix - home for Christmas is a fave
Slumber app is helping me and kids get to sleep
Walks and getting some fresh air
Still puttering about in the garden and enjoying seeing new shoots come up and feeding the birds
Cake
CBD oil

A load more sex (I am past fertility but I imagine there will be a baby boom after this)

Walking the dog

Running

Am also eating more crap though (sweets and booze)

Cooking, films, DIY, gardening, work (never thought I'd say that), studying, walking, music, bourbon. Making the most of virtual communication - I have quite a busy virtual social schedule, making outdoor contact with family into an 'event'.
Reminding myself that this may be awful but it's temporary, it will end.

Remembering how my Nan must have felt when she was off to do a nightshift in a munitions factory where they could have been bombed, leaving my baby uncle with her sister where they child haves been bombed, and her not knowing if my grandad was alive or dead while he was fighting in the far East.

I think about my grandmother too. She was in a similar position to yours, and a few times I've told myself if she could manage then I can too.

Breaking the rules and seeing this shitshow for what it is.

The dumb hysteria on here also makes me laugh a lot.

This post made me feel better and a weight off my mind. I've had awful awful post natal anxiety and depression since I had my baby girl end of September and often feel overwhelmed with fear, health anxiety, hopelessness etc. I cant seem to switch off or distract myself but I'm going to suggestions from here to help myself. Im sure my OH is fed up with me and gets mad when I panic :( I know he is stressed and worried too.

Eating and running, the running is to make up for all the eating rather than because I like it though once I get going it’s ok.
Nice (stretchy) loungewear.

Gin, chocolate, hiding in the bath for at least an hour every night, netflix, curling my hair and putting make up on everyday to go nowhere.

I second lounge wear! I have some new ones arriving today and it's the most exciting thing that's happened in a while.