Delta virus: Lessons for living through a lockdown

WELLBEING DELTA VIRUS

Lessons for living through a lockdown

Confined to home base by the Delta version of the Covid-19 virus invasion? Harriet Bremner offers her advice.

Harriet Bremner and Poppy.

1FOCUS ON THE

THINGS YOU CAN CONTROL

We cannot control the situation of the world around us, but we can control what is happening day-to-day in our own lives with regard to things like; keeping a routine, eating well, exercising and being grateful for being able to work outside in the fresh air.

We cannot let ourselves be controlled by the Covid-19 environment we are forced into and have to try and keep what we can as normal as possible.

We can also control being vaccinated or not.

Now this, I know, involves deeply personal and individual views but in a global pandemic it makes me think that it’s a bit of a ‘take one for the team’ situation. Through being vaccinated we are not only trying to protect ourselves and our families but also others around us and in our communities.

A doctor friend of mine talks of the preventable deaths that could be stopped had those people just been vaccinated. They talk about the fact that ‘the virus will find you’ and not everyone is lucky enough to get a bed in ICU, let alone survive to tell their story.

The choices we make now will affect and influence you and your family’s future. I was nervous about my first vaccine, because I hate needles and also because it felt like stepping into the unknown. I am asthmatic and at the end of the day I thought I would rather be safe than sorry. It didn’t hurt and I have felt good as gold since.

2KEEP YOUR

MORNING ROUTINE

You may have children home from school or be working from home as well as on the farm, but I suggest keeping a routine as close to normal is key.

When I bang out my to-do list in the morning by a certain time before work, I feel more able to tackle things during the day that crop up.

In terms of your children, they are more able to concentrate in the morning so get the work and chores done and have time outside in the afternoon or take regular outside breaks once each school item or job has been completed.

I find that if you stay in bed longer and disrupt that routine you feel sluggish and lethargic all day, and everything can seem too daunting to tackle. It also makes the transition of going back to work or school a lot smoother for everyone involved – reducing anxiety. 3 MAKE THE MOST

OF THE FAMILY BEING HOME

Make the most of the family being home and do some jobs on the farm in the afternoons or between milkings that can include everyone so that you are all out of the house and doing something productive together.

You will all feel satisfied that you have achieved something and doing it together is an added bonus. It will be a nice feeling to have company while you are at work, as feeling isolated during these unusual times just adds to feeling anxious.

4CHAT TO

PEOPLE DAILY

Remember to chat to the people closest to you daily, whether it’s over facetime or in your bubble. Tell them how you really are – none of that ‘I’m fine’ business and have a look at what things you can do in your life to prepare for the unexpected.

If all else fails, be like me today and take a breath, do a workout, go outside, stop, appreciate the right-now and if all else fails… eat the damn chocolate because sometimes it just does make you feel that bit better!