As lockdown finally starts to ease and we once again see signs of normality begin to appear, we are thankful that the tips below and our faith have helped paved the way in these challenging times:
1. Prepare for the day as if you were going out – Get up at a reasonable hour and washed dressed and have breakfast as normal. It will make you ready for a day of activity rather than lounging around and getting bored. I am finding that there are plenty of chores to do as well as other activities – some of which have been “put off” for years.
2. Exercise regularly – I see plenty of dog walkers passing my front door and some even have dogs! It doesn’t have to be a long walk or run. My own main exercise is charging up and down our 16 stairs between office and ground floor many times a day, plus a bit of gardening – when warm and dry! I am even brushing the drive – a task I do regularly every five years.
3. Make a daily schedule – There’s nothing like a plan to make your time fly. Make space to talk to the rest of your household and time to phone family and friends regularly. Our sons have been ringing although sometimes after a prod from me by text. Another person I spoke to said he had made it a rule to ring one person from each group with which he was connected each day. I woke up on Friday determined to do various jobs, most of which are still on the “To Do” list.
4. Limit screen time – Don’t spend too much time in front of the TV or Computer screens. I have tended to limit computer time to morning and late evening and have started a jigsaw. Each day needs to have something different and perhaps something challenging.
5. Have meals at the table – Nothing can be better than sitting down together and talking the day over. Eating off a trolley in front of the television is not a substitute. I wish we did this more often.
6. Have a dedicated work space – If you are working – keep it in a separate space. My PC and office are in a bedroom, so I am distanced from Rosemary, whilst I work. Sometimes this is beneficial, sometimes I forget time!
(Adapted from www.careforthefamily.org.uk)