Thinking outside the box

Thinking Outside The Box

We all have to seek different ways to complete our daily routine which will help us to get by during this pandemic. This current situation is taking us outside of our comfort zones and requires us to bring another plan to the table, challenging us both mentally and physically giving us new obstacles to overcome. The options we used to be familiar with have changed due to the lockdown so we have to be creative in many ways and change our thinking and behaviours.

    I can only go for my one exercise of the day and this shouldn't really exceed one hour.  I find this limits what I want to achieve from a mental and physical wellbeing prospective.  I therefore changed my thinking and routine to focus on more home exercises. I joined an app called swift for virtual bike rides, it cost nothing (except a piece of equipment) and provides the opportunity to cycle around cycle routes that gives me both a sense of normality and also the motivation and challenge I seek, alongside a physical sense that my body has had a workout. I cycled around London which was just the fix I needed and brought back happy memories. I doubt I will be cycling the Prudential ride in London in August, but I guess you never know.

   I have started reading books in the evening rather than watching the news which can overwhelm especially if you are watching it more than once a day. We even have adult colouring books being completed in the household which are relaxing and enjoyable.

   Every family is finding their own way to cope and adjust with some situations being more challenging than others. Such things as, an anniversary meal ordered online or shopping and delivering for vulnerable family members gives a sense of achievement. My oldest daughter would take Lily for a coffee and cake at the weekend so as they can't go out they brought the coffee shop to our home. Off her own back, Lauren created a high tea event for Lily in the kitchen.  It made Lily very happy.

Amazon and eBay have become the go to place that give us the tools and help us to carry on as usual providing delivery service that we are all relying on like never before.

What can you do that allows you to overcome the issue?

What can you change for yourself or somebody else in the household.

Can you make somebodies day special?  The high tea was £1 for cakes, cucumber sandwiches, crisps and a couple of traditional tea bags, as well as mum's posh tea set.  The most important ingredient here was time.

Stay Safe Everyone!

Majority and Minority

Behaviour of people is always interesting.  Over the four day bank holiday weekend, the majority of people in Southend and Leigh-on-Sea have abided by the Government guidelines and did not congregate but simply enjoyed their one permitted exercise of the day. I was slightly worried with the weather touching 24 degrees that the temptation of normality would override and people would succumb. I have to say, I am proud of our community for  doing the right thing and staying home. It seems to me that we are over the honeymoon period and that we are dealing with this situation and treating it with the upmost commitment and respect that it requires. Always remember we are saving lives by doing the right thing and in our industry we play a huge part of this by making sure the NHS workers and other key staff continue to be available to help all within society.

99 percent of us demonstrate this discipline but why do, thankfully only a  small minority not abide by the rules.  I see people saying excuses such as I'm not near anyone or bothering anyone else - They are missing the point you are only as strong as your weakest link and if we all demonstrated this individual thought process, rather than the group mentality, then we would be in a far worse position than we presently are. This makes me ponder, we must strive for 100 percent in everything we do but sometimes we forget to recognise the achievements of the many and only focus on the failings- It's important to recognise what works well.

   

If you are a follower of my blog you know I am a keen goal setter -

The daily planner I utilise really helps me focus for the day and week ahead without this I think my mind would become a mass of ideas and intentions with no focus, it really works for me.  My wife loves it as it keeps me out of her way.

what can you try, to stay focused?
What is working well?
Recognise yourself and others

Stay safe every one

Ant

How do we cope presently

In these unprecedented times it's important that we continue to be strong for ourselves, our family and others who we interact with. Life has currently changed, with our days not being our norm and what we are used to. We are all looking at ways of making this work, so when we finally emerge from this that we can do the best we can.

   Due to the situation we are all missing many things, simple pleasures that I took for granted that I now see as a luxury, my routine has been interrupted, as I abide by the government advice. I miss walking along the seafront, watching a football match in the local park, nipping to get a newspaper and not having to think about social distancing. These small pleasures aren't disappearing and the seafront will be there for us all once we recover and football players will once again grace the pitch, this gives me the light at the end of the tunnel.

   We are now a household of five, As a family we have had to devise a plan which gives us all the direction and focus for the day, this really helps and keeps the day running to time  - learning, exercise, fun activities, rest, are all built into an agenda which means everyone has to play apart. Each has strengths that they bring and weaknesses that they need to work upon (my teenage son).

Rather than focusing on the challenges of COVID 19 and the associated issues. I want to share on the inner strengths that are arising.

    I don't think I have ever spent so much time with my children.  Lily would normally be at her care centre,  and has lots of transfer equipment and wheelchair etc, Lauren  would usually be at work and Alex at college.  I watch how they handle the situation which I feel is character building. Both Alex and Lauren have stepped up to the plate with regards to caring for Lily, not only for Lily but also for their grandparents who are in 12 week isolation.

 My 45 minutes exercise has become the key to maintaining my day and it's my simple pleasure that sets me a goal to complete.

What goal can you set?

• Complete an on-line course 
• DIY tasks that need completing in your house
• Support someone in need
• Video chat with relatives

remember if anyone wants to chat  i'm always available through normal communication channels