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!

Running. Early in morning before most people are up. Would never have dreamed I would say that this time last year!

@PhilCornwall1

😂

Sleep! I know lots of people are struggling to sleep but having more time to sleep is my saving grace.

Music........I have spotify playing all day with music that I love. I live alone (widowed in February) and hate it - I am in a vulnerable health group so contact with family is very limited. But music ..........they can't take that away from me.

Wine
Chocolate
Focusing on the fact a vaccine is out there being distributed daily and we hopefully have another on the way soon that will be available more widely 🤞🏻

Music........I have spotify playing all day with music that I love. I live alone (widowed in February) and hate it - I am in a vulnerable health group so contact with family is very limited. But music ..........they can't take that away from me.

Yes loads of bands are planning on touring next year in summer-autumn so I'm looking at buying tickets. Really looking forward to the Manics gig in July.

@Waspnest

Music........I have spotify playing all day with music that I love. I live alone (widowed in February) and hate it - I am in a vulnerable health group so contact with family is very limited. But music ..........they can't take that away from me.

Yes loads of bands are planning on touring next year in summer-autumn so I'm looking at buying tickets. Really looking forward to the Manics gig in July.

I hadn’t even thought about this, yay! I love going to gigs. Something else to look forward to 😁

@Wolfiefan

Wine Sugar But more than anything my dogs. Walking them. Getting outside every day. Seeing them play and be so happy. Makes me smile each day.

A bit of a thread derail but how many dogs do you have @Wolfiefan ? Are they both the same breed ? I remember you from the puppy thread 4 years ago ! (Apologies if you have loads of updates in The Doghouse I don't tend to look there much now).

@shinynewapple2020 I now have two wolfhounds. Picked up youngest just after Christmas last year. She’s kept me busy!!

Lovely messages from friends like this:

Today is the winter solstice. From this point on the hours of daylight start to become longer as we move towards spring. There is still some winter to get through, but we'll make it. All best wishes for the season: for Christmas, the winter break, the solstice, whatever you call it, however you spend it; it may be different this year, but we're resilient and we'll make it through to the spring and the summer beyond.

If anyone want some light hearted giggles, I can recommend crap from charity shops Facebook page. Some absolute corkers from around the world.

[quote Wolfiefan]@shinynewapple2020 I now have two wolfhounds. Picked up youngest just after Christmas last year. She’s kept me busy!![/quote]
They are gorgeous! 😍

@Bargebill19

If anyone want some light hearted giggles, I can recommend crap from charity shops Facebook page. Some absolute corkers from around the world.

scuttles off to check FB

I try and go for walks on my own with music playing, baths, zoom/phone calls with family and friends.

I also have a habit of comfort eating or drinking so try to avoid that.

A LOT of walking. By myself or with the kids or with ONE friend (tier 4). And watching lots of stuff on TV/films, listening to music, playing games with the kids etc. I finished work on Friday for two weeks after an incredibly busy and full on term and so am forcing myself not to think about work and just spend as much time as possible doing stuff with my own kids. Also lowering expectations, literally no one cares if the Christmas lunch isn’t perfect or the kids watch too much TV. We were meant to spend Christmas with extended family but tier 4 means we are just us- I was incredibly sad but I truly believe that it’s important to show the kids that we are very fortunate compared to so many people and so have been very cheerful about it and we are really trying to make the most of it. Lowering expectations and just making the absolute most of what we have. And avoiding too much time on social media!

I’m avoiding the news as much as possible, pretty much pretending like nothing’s happening. I’ve got a lot going on personally and I don’t think I could cope if I dwelled on this too much. I was never much of a social person so not seeing friends etc isn’t an issue

Eckhart Tolle and Plum Village stuff on YouTube.
Reading.
Napping
Walking
Appreciating nature

Reading a book I can 'get lost' in
Running, with a friend or alone
Eating too many biscuits
Hugging my kids

That's lovely @Wolfiefan . Nice picture - and I bet they keep each other company

Nice thought and picture from @herecomestheSon as well .
I agree it brings some comfort in a horrible winter to know that we have started the count down to Spring.

Not leaving the house since March.
My belief in science
Fortnite

Snuggles with my baby

Nice red wine

Laughing at my husband

Planning next Xmas (getting in there early..)

Wine
Far too much online shopping

Sea swimming! Started it back in may and still dipping most weeks

Dcat helps me de stress