Any advice provided in this blog post is discretionary in nature. Please conduct independent research and evaluate your personal situation before heeding any comments written here. As always, prioritise you, and your health particularly in these uncertain times.
2:35PM: Instant noodle stock is depleted in the city grocery store. The next aisle is devoid of any pasta, pasta sauce, and packet pasta too. The spices remain less salt, stock cubes and pepper. Fresh bread has disappeared. Upstairs, the once packed to the rim shelves filled with a variety of paracetamol, ibuprofen, aspirin, electrolyte solutions and energy tablets cannot be found. The search for toilet paper and sanitiser is futile too – upon entry there is a sign ‘TOILET PAPER AND SANITISER OUT OF STOCK’.
These observations sadly are not unique across the western nations where panic has taken over all rational thought. Governments are calling upon the public to hold off hoarding essential shopping items, from surgical masks, to toilet paper to sanitary napkins. It’s forces the question – what is the real problem here? The virus or the panic that has settled in?
So the world is living through a Pandemic.
What does this mean?
A pandemic is defined as an infectious disease that has spread to multiple countries in a short period of time. The last WHO update on this specific definition was made in 2010.
As a result, society has been encouraged to observe Social Distancing.
too much?
Social Distancing: Measures taken during pandemics to minimize the spread of an infectious disease. Usually a distance of 1.5 meters is maintained between individuals, alongside standard hygiene protocol.
Cities seem to be observing Social Panic instead.
The implications of these activities are HUGE.
Already vital police forces are spending more time policing grocery stores to ensure safe shopping, and prevent hoarders. Medical professionals are struggling to cope with the panic stricken patients entering their wards, whilst battling stolen (yes you read correctly!) surgical masks. Restaurants are sacking staff to make ends meet with uncooperative land-lords not willing to forgo a short term amount of rent. Some restaurants have has to shut doors completely.
So what do we do?
Realistically, it may not be possible to be in complete lock-down. There will be businesses running their operations with staff working from home, universities moving online and schools too have staggered lunches to avoid large groups together.
There are some simple ways to help keep ourselves busy and entertained, and most importantly help each other.
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Hygiene.
This is important for you and everyone around you. This means washing your hands as often as possible for 20 seconds at a time, using hand sanitizer when you cannot. Washing hands before eating, and immediately after touching anything in a public space. It means keeping a clean desk space!
2. Keeping distance.
This is key to Social Distancing. The 1.5 meter distance. Try as much as possible to maintain the spacing between yourself and others. If public transport cannot be avoided, then alter your journey times to ensure you are not travelling during busy peak periods. In your social groups, avoid hugging, kissing and sitting close.
This is easier said than done – but honestly try your best.
3. Exercise at home or a really hygienic gym!
This is a big one. Unfortunately, no matter what gyms are full of sweat, spit and lots of people.
Depending on your comfort levels, make the decision to either avoid the gym and work out at home, or keep attending. Most gyms as a result of worsening conditions have already declared that a 1.5 meter distance between gym goers will be maintained, but at the end of the day the decision is absolutely yours.
If you are looking for great at home workouts here are some options to check out!
4. Eat healthy!
There’s panic buying on instant noodles filled with salt, sugar and artificial flavours. You are better off eating lots of healthy and fresh food, loaded with ginger, garlic, turmeric and greens. Will this cure you? Probably not. Will this boost your immunity? Yes.
5. Work from Home.
Where possible, try self-isolating yourself to the home. Working from home can be a luxury at times, and others it can be tough. Staying at home seeing the same people over and over, without the day to day office conversations can be tricky.
The introverts might find themselves actually enjoying the self-isolation.
Extroverts, not so much. To avoid the feeling of isolation you’ve got to encourage video conferencing, and online team activities. Conduct ZOOM lunches and eat together with colleagues and share your experiences. Keep up the banter, the jokes and even the complaining. It’s all part of the human experience.
6. Hobbies.
It’s time to pull out the out dancing shoes! Or whatever it is you absolutely love to do.
Maybe it’s plants? Maybe you enjoy singing? Or perhaps you play an instrument?
Either way. Give yourself a good 30 minutes to an hour a day to dedicate your time to a hobby, or maybe learning something new. It’s the perfect opportunity to pick up a new language, or learn another new skills. A lot of people are now hosting online workshops, classes and demonstrations for people to start learning something new.
7. New habits.
This is an interesting one. But now is the best time to kick yourself into the best habits possible.
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Sleep early.
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Sleep for 8 hours!!
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Practice a skin care routine
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Begin a workout regime
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Meditate
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Spend family time!
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bring your lunch to work
Whether it be getting into the habit of working out, or eating healthy, or cooking more. It’s important to take a good look at your current lifestyle and work out what you want to make better.
8. Family.
Tutor you sibling or kids. Watch television with your loved ones. Cook with the family. There are heaps of activities to engage in! Get creative. You can play board games, host a little wine and cheese evening at home, watch television, and play charades. There’s plenty of options.
9. Viewing party.
Did you know you can still do a group movie night with popcorn, but from the comfort of your individual homes?
There is a chrome extension that allows it! Try out a Netflix viewing party.
10. Ration.
There is no need to start hoarding absolutely anything. You can ration out the essentials, and buy enough to get you through 2 weeks at a time. Yes – in a lockdown there will come a stage to reduce the number of time you have to go outside the home and THAT IS OKAY!
By hoarding essentials, those that are vulnerable or unable to make their way to the supermarkets easily miss out on these items. The reality is that fighting the virus is only effective if EVERYONE has access to essentials (particularly soap, anti-bacterial fluids, and medication).
Be kind to each other and share!
It’s surely a scary time, but to quote a Persian Adage
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“This too shall pass”
Let’s help each other fight the virus. It’s definitely not rocket science!
