Living in Lockdown
How many days is it now? I have lost count. Quite frankly, I don’t care to know, what I am focusing on is the fact that we are actually ABLE to go into self-isolation and basically hibernate from society whilst we remove ourselves from others in an effort to protect ourselves from contracting Covid-19. Not everyone is in the same position. We went into self-isolation about 10 days before the official lockdown about six week ago. I look on the bright side and say, wow, I am Covid-19 free, healthy, blessed to live in a house with a small garden, I have a roof over my head and food in my tummy. And plenty of volunteers that support with so many different needs (more about that another time – it will sure be food for thought too – no pun intended!).
Some ask whether I get anxious and stressed by this invisible killer and attacking mugger? Sure, I get concerned, but I choose to adopt a balanced lifestyle that helps alleviate the fears and uncertainties. By this I mean I exercise regularly, eat healthily (yes!), focus on hobbies that bring fulfilment and excitement, remain connected with others via Zoom and cell phone; and of course, keep up my faith and relationship with God.
My hubbie and I have been enjoying exercising with PT instructor and foodie Joe Wicks, a fitness guru broadcasting an entertaining live stream workout on YouTube every morning Monday to Friday. Jo exercises in his living room lounge in London and keeps fitness enthusiasts entertained with shout-outs acknowledging those joining in from around the world, trivia competitions and reciting of poetry penned by young children. Called “PE with Joe”, the workouts are rigorous PT exercises that leave us sweating and splitting our seams. I challenge you to try it out – but be warned, you may stretch a few sinews as you double up laughing at his crazy antics (who does burpees in a suit? Who does push ups in a spider man suit?)!
I have also placed a large focus on training my dear Jack Russells: Chilli, Vlekkie and Sammy. In the absence of going for long forest walks with them, I’ve spent a lot of time doing mental enrichment exercises and behaviour training to keep them alert and entertained. They have become more disciplined, focused and full of the joys of life.
In the UK, we are permitted to go outside for an hour a day to exercise, this can be to the woods or for a walk in a quiet area where the risk to encounter others is low. Because I am in the shielding programme, I do not leave the house, except to spend a little time in our garden. We took advantage of the lovely summer weather over the weekend to plant some colourful summer flowers (delivered by the nursery manager himself and promptly put into “quarantine” for three days!).
All these activities help to keep me calm and grounded. The attached “Coping Calendar” (click here to download) is a great quiet sounding board which keeps one mindful of being appreciative and reflective. As the www.actionforhappiness.org organization says: “Keep Calm. Stay Wise. Be Kind.”
The one area I need to sharpen my pencil on is the issue of sleep… my over-active reading habits (busy consuming UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s biography “Just Boris” – an account written by Sonia Purnell – incidentally her mother and sister were attendees of my ladies Bible study group) tend to seemingly overcome my need of sleep, be it media news, fashion (huh?) or biographies… and we all know, living with RA means getting enough sleep and rest, so I now challenge myself … come on, girl, 8 hours per night from now on!
What are you doing to keep a healthy balance? Any comments or queries on the above and I can elaborate more?
Onwards and upwards!
Charlene
Charlene Lamb is a strategic communications professional and has enjoyed an illustrious career in the corporate world before steering her public relations consultancy in South Africa and the United Kingdom. She also enjoyed an exciting time as a journalist in the United States, interviewing many famous personalities. She is married and has three energetic fur babies: her Jack Russells, Chilli, Vlekkie and Sammy and is passionate about primates and the welfare of animals.
