Today I announced my online resilience course has been made free to everyone for the next month – now we need it more than ever.
I also reflected on the postponement of life, not cancellation. Like many I've been postponing events, flights and holiday plans lately. I've watched as business disappeared overnight, like many. But there's one important distinction I need to make - most have been postponed not cancelled, including my holidays, flights and events.
Much like life at the moment - it seems to have been postponed - but it isn't cancelled. Life looks very different at the moment for many of us across the world but it's not forever. Whilst it feels like life is on hold, like my flights and my events and many of your plans they are not cancelled - just postponed. Normal life has been postponed but will resume - let's remember that amid this uncertainty.
In these trying times it’s never more true that we don’t always control what happens to us but we do control how we react to it. Here are some useful links and top tips based on the majority of feedback I’ve been hearing over the last week and hopefully ways we can help with the common problems we’re experiencing right now.
Be kind – to yourself and others. Look after yourself and others, these times will have impacts on us and the mental health foundation have this advice on protecting our mental and physical health.
Self-care is important, keep it up. Isolated walks are fine, getting out in your garden is fine.
Can’t go to the gym – free workout apps give you the gym at home
Social connection is important (and can be arranged virtually), use zoom, skype, facetime and telephone
I’ve just sent all my over 70 relatives in England food hampers as care packages due to their isolation – all from my sofa in NZ and our own quarantine plans! I’m offering care packages across NZ too if you’d like to send them to any of your loved ones in isolation click here
Be patient – we’re going to be spending more time in each others pockets if we’re isolated at home as a family, designate your office space, designate a quiet space where family members can be alone
Struggling to adapt to working from home – take a look at these tips
Worried about money? Check out the government subsidy and get your application in
Not used to uncertainty – adapting is how we survive as a species, treat it as a learning opportunity.
Feeling panicked – sit and listen to one of the free meditations from the insight timer app.
Feeling helpless – reach out to a neighbour by phone to see if they need anything.
Feel like it’s all doom and gloom – disconnect from the media, practice gratitude and
reflect on all we’re lucky to have.
Feeling fear and wanting to panic buy at the supermarket? Remember it’s not a supply problem so don’t be the demand problem, there’s enough loo roll to go around. Consider others
Arm yourself with the facts and keep an eye on advice from our government here
Feel like you’re loosing the big picture – get out in nature, looks at the stars, sit under a tree (alone), feel the sun on your face. It puts things into perspective.
Most importantly kia kaha, and look after each other this will pass.
All this information and much more available on my Covid19 support page