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Original poster

What are you doing to keep cool and calm through this?

29 replies

StrongLegs · 13/07/2021 04:46

I Just wondered if anyone else has strategies for keeping cool and calm while all this covid stuff is going on?

I'm doing a lot of walking in my garden (about 10,000 steps a day with a pedometer), and a tiny bit of aerobic exercise each day to improve my fitness. I am also learning a musical instrument, but in a very slow careful way so that it is meditative and not a massive stressful challenge.

I'm trying not to sit endlessly at screens and binge on bad news. I'm also really enjoying Mumsnet as a way to get a bit of a natter.

I wondered if anyone else has good things that are working for them?

OP posts:
Frogsonglue · 13/07/2021 04:51

I'm intrigued as to why you're walking in your garden - you do know we're not in lockdown anymore?!
The meditative music learning sounds very nice.

ColettesEarrings · 13/07/2021 07:34

Nothing. I'm not worried.

Purple21 · 13/07/2021 07:37

How big is your garden to manage 10.000 steps without going mad!
Your doing a lot more than me Smile
I'm looking forward to freedom tbh

Original poster
StrongLegs · 13/07/2021 07:38

Thanks for asking @Frogsonglue

I'm staying in the garden because I live in a city centre area with a lot of busy, noisy roads and it's just quite a lot nicer in my garden. The garden is quite large.

I'm also recovering from pre-existing CFS, with long covid and vaccine side effects on top, so travelling to a nicer place is not really on the cards right now.

I suppose you're right that lockdown is over now, but for me it is carrying right on going, since my health problems make me very prone to viruses (and not just the covid sort).

I reckon a lot of people will be in the same boat as the CEV folks will not be rushing out to the shops any time soon, I would imagine.

OP posts:
PopcornMuncher · 13/07/2021 07:40

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Original poster
StrongLegs · 13/07/2021 07:42

@ColettesEarrings I'm really sorry to hear you're struggling too. It's a lot to take in at the moment, after a long 18 months of stuff to cope with.

@Purple21 I think it's about 70 feet long. I'm doing that thing that lions do in the zoo where the stride purposefully up and down all day. It's actually much more enjoyable than I thought. The grass is not totally pleased about it.

I only had the idea of walking a lot because my legs have gone a bit rubbish since having covid, but it turns out it's good for all of the rest of me too. I am more relaxed, and my breating is better and my head is a much cheerier place now that I'm not doom scrolling on twitter and the news all day.

OP posts:
Purple21 · 13/07/2021 07:43

Ah okay makes sense!
Do you like to read?
Learn a new language
Take up yoga
Crafts
Jigsaws
Organise every single cupboard in your house
Baking
Adult colouring book

Just naming something's I've seen people do over the past year

Original poster
StrongLegs · 13/07/2021 07:43

@PopcornMuncher That's my long term ambition. I think the technical term for what I'm doing is graded exercise, but I hope one day to be fit enough to go back to work.

OP posts:
HarveySchlumpfenburger · 13/07/2021 07:45

Jigsaws are good if you can manage the concentration.

Yoga or guided meditation might work for you too.

caughtinanet · 13/07/2021 07:48

Everyone I know is pretty much back to normal, I'm surprised at how many of my friends are going on foreign holidays this summer

I don't know if there is a board for the more vunerable, your situation isn't a common one now, you might get better suggestions from posters in a similar position.

Blueskytoday06 · 13/07/2021 07:55

It's over isn't it ? (Nearly). Or have you tested positive ?

Porcupineintherough · 13/07/2021 07:55

Audio books have been an absolute lifesaver for me over the last 18 months, esp in the foggy post COVID days of the first lock down when I wasnt well enough to read. I like them now because you can listen whilst you do other things.

CrouchEndTiger12 · 13/07/2021 07:57

Nothing. I have never been afraid of covid.

Lockdown drove me insane though. I needed lots of walks and runs to cope with that.

ColettesEarrings · 13/07/2021 07:58

@StrongLegs 😂😂😂 You misunderstand - I'm mean I'm not doing anything 'special' to help me cope, because I'M NOT WORRIED! I'm living my life completely normally! Restaurants, cafes, pub, shopping, all multiple times a week, and theatre trip to London booked next week!

MrsSkylerWhite · 13/07/2021 07:58

The house has never been more decorated (rather paint it than clean it 😁). Gardens looking lovely too. CEV husband has bought a bells and whistles exercise bike that’s working wonders and youngest who lives with us, a real one. Caring for baby grandson once a week is a highlight.

ColettesEarrings · 13/07/2021 07:59

I am sorry to hear you're not doing so well though, i wouldn't wish it on anyone. Flowers

OliveTree75 · 13/07/2021 08:01

Nothing. Going to work and running around after my kids. I did actually really get into gardening in the first lockdown when I needed to escape from my kids in the house and I have continued that on. I have grown herb garden and grown loads of sweet peas etc. I am 33 and my friends think I am a saddo but I love it. Also use the mint to make mojitos Grin

Frogsonglue · 13/07/2021 08:07

Apologies if I sounded snarky OP. Without knowing the extra details, your post did seem a bit strange as a lot of people are more or less living their normal lives again now. I'm glad you're finding things that help you enjoy your life. Good luck with your recovery.

Original poster
StrongLegs · 13/07/2021 08:22

It's really nice to know that so many people are back to normal now. I had literally no idea, as I don't least the house except to go to the school gate.

It actually really cheers me up to know that, as it puts the current statistics in perspective. I mean if you're all out getting on with life and not dropping like flies then that's rather a good sign isn't it?

I will keep exercising here and see if I can get recovered enough to have my second vaccine. Maybe if I can then I can come out and join you! (Yippee!)

OP posts:
Original poster
StrongLegs · 13/07/2021 08:23

Don't leave the house I mean.

OP posts:
Original poster
StrongLegs · 13/07/2021 08:24

@ColettesEarrings You're right. I totally misread that. I was reading a different thread on MN where lots of people were worried and I misread your comment from having read that. I'm really glad to hear that all is well.

@Frogsonglue Thanks for clarifying. MN is a much kinder place now then it was when I used to come on here a few years back. It's nice to see that.

OP posts:
Kentuki · 13/07/2021 08:34

Back to normal now but things that did help....
Gardening - we dug a wildlife pond which has been really joyful.
Cocktail in the evening sun
Working our way though the Star Wars, Harry Potter and marvel films
Yoga
Adult colouring and draw with rob (I loved this)
Getting a paper delivered everyday, made me feel surprisingly grown up! And got hooked on su doku.
Cooking my way through Jamie Oliver’s comfort food book
Methodically declutterlng and deep cleaning the house room by room.
Buying and reading all the books!

EileenGC · 13/07/2021 08:40

I’m definitely back to normal, as much as one can be with all the tests and restrictions malarkey which is ongoing where I live. Thankfully our government isn’t lifting restrictions all of a sudden in the middle of a surge.

I’m most thankful for the ability to travel again. I have 14 flights booked for this summer - most for work, but some for holidays and family visits - and I slowly feel like myself again. I literally never stopped before Covid hit, was always busy and doing 50+ flights a year. I was used to seeing all my family and friends very regularly, even though they all live in different countries. My job was so much more interesting and entertaining, and it all changed when the pandemic started. Not leaving the country for 7 months almost killed me, not seeing anyone or having anything exciting to look forward to, was very depressing.

I see light at the end of the tunnel now. I hope we don’t lock down again for the winter but even if we do, I’ll have the consolation of having put the summer to good use.

Hang in there OP. It sounds like things are slowly improving for you too! I really do believe the worst is behind us, hopefully over the next year we all go back to normal.

Original poster
StrongLegs · 13/07/2021 09:08

@Kentuki Thanks so much for posting. This is exactly the kind of thing that I was hoping for. I also dug a wildlife pond and I love it.

I think I might do more gardening as I am really enjoying being outside, and being far from the temptation of screens seems to be a good thing.

OP posts:
caughtinanet · 13/07/2021 09:13

@StrongLegs

It's really nice to know that so many people are back to normal now. I had literally no idea, as I don't least the house except to go to the school gate.

It actually really cheers me up to know that, as it puts the current statistics in perspective. I mean if you're all out getting on with life and not dropping like flies then that's rather a good sign isn't it?

I will keep exercising here and see if I can get recovered enough to have my second vaccine. Maybe if I can then I can come out and join you! (Yippee!)

I think that's a really sad post actually, literally tens of millions of the population are totally back to normal and have been for months.

Just to check, you are in England? No one has ever dropped like flies, that's just not what ever happened and how do you not know that life is pretty much normal for the majority. I'm a little concerned for your DC tbh. Do you have a partner who goes out?