Four Ways to Celebrate Christmas Day If You Are Forced to Self-Isolate

I have spent Christmas Day on my own a number of times over the years.  Sometimes, I hated it and felt sad, depressed and lonely.  Other years, I had a great time.  The fact that I am a Buddhist and don't celebrate Christmas doesn't seem to make a lot of difference - I still sometimes feel a desire to spend the holiday with friends and loved ones, and am haunted with the ghosts of Christmases past.  And anyway, this holiday is primarily an ancient celebration of the Winter Solstice, so I celebrate it in that context.  

 

This Christmas day, as in 2020, many people are still forced to self-isolate.  If you are one of the people self-isolating at Christmas (or any other time), missing friends, family and good cheer, check out my Coronavirus Resources for music, quizzes, relaxation, humour and more.  

 

Plus go here for an excellent article in the Guardian on four ways to make Christmas on your own more fun, relaxed and enjoyable.  Number four is by far my favourite.  

 

Follow Candace Bond-Theriault's lead and make a list of your favourite Black films, or whatever films you like. 

 

And there's this one from Oprah Daily:   How to Spend Christmas Alone and Still Make It Merry Without Family.  

 

And this excellent piece from Very Well Mind:  Here's How to Cope with holiday loneliness.

 

So there's a wealth of advice out there.  Plan, or don't.  Keep in touch, or take some time and space for yourself.  Prepare a feast for yourself if you want to.  Do what feels best to you and for you.  Place the emphasis on self-care.  The most important thing to remember is:  you are NOT alone.    

Happy holidays!  

What's your best suggestion for spending Christmas Day alone?  Please comment below and please share this with your networks.  Thanks!  

Dealing with Lockdown Loneliness

Loneliness courtesy of NYT

Many of us are having to cope with loneliness during the  coronavirus lockdown.  Not being able to meet up with friends, family members or loved ones can be challenging.  It can be even more difficult for those who are self-isolating.  Some suggestions for dealing with loneliness include: 

•  Embrace the technology!  Stay in touch using video technology, such as Skype or Zoom;  

  
  

  • Plan your day and stick to a schedule;  
   
  • Stay active.  Even a short walk every day can help; 
   
  • Read online articles (like this one) for fun and to increase your knowledge base; 
   
  • Join a Meetup film group or Facebook watch party to view films online with others;
    
   
• Avoid watching too many news programmes about Covid-19, as too much information can be confusing and increase our stress levels.
  

Below, I have listed some resources that can help us to cope with loneliness and isolation.  

 

Personally, I find that helping others is the best way to feel connected - and useful.  That's why I have posted these coronavirus resources.   

 

 What to Do If You Feel Lonely during the Coronavirus Outbreak (advice from the NHS) 

How Singles Can Fight Loneliness during Social Isolation  

How to Cope with Loneliness during the Coronavirus Pandemic 

 

Loneliness during Coronavirus;  

 

Reducing Loneliness among Migrant and Ethnic Minority People; 

Get Support from a Mental Health Charity (advice from the NHS); 

 

Find a local NHS urgent mental health helpline (England only).  

Please share this with your networks and please comment below.  Thanks.  

Latest Coronavirus Advice

Latest Coronavirus Advice

The advice about coronavirus changes daily, and even more frequently than that.

First, we were told we could go out, go for a walk, and go to the shops.

Then, the next day, we were advised we could go out for exercise, i.e. go for a walk.

The day after that, we were ordered to stay indoors.  (I suspect this was the plan all along.)  But I think we can still go for a walk, or a run, or to the shops.  Not that there's much left on the shelves.  

We need to stay indoors to try to avoid overloading the NHS, as the number of coronavirus cases is still on the rise.

Yet NHS staff are not being offered coronavirus tests - even though Prince Charles was able to obtain one.  How is this not placing a further burden on the NHS - when there are NHS staff members who are self-isolating, who would be able to go back to work if they tested negative for the virus?

The situation is very anxiety-producing.  Many people don't know what to do.  The advice is contradictory.  We don't know how long this crisis will last.  And it could go on for years. 

You can download the latest coronavirus advice from Imperal College.  The breakdown is in the first two pages. 

Meanwhile, WHO (The World Health Organisation) says that we need to test, test, test.  So try to get tested!  Not easy on the NHS, but worth a try.

For more details, see:  Keep Our NHS Public @keepnhspublic.  

Saw this on Jeremy Vine recently: Nutritionist Lowry Turner has said eating fresh fruit and veg, things high in fibre, boosts the immune system. Exercise and relaxation also help. 

For holistic healing of body, mnd and emotions,go here for my Violet Flame Healing Process.  This can relax you and boost your immunity.

According to the FT, Imperial College have also stated that the UK government's current policies regarding covid-19 have reduced the predicted deaths of 250,000 to 20,000.  Still an horrific number of deaths. 

How can we help people who have others during this coronovirus crisis?  Go here to check it out.

Please share this with your networks and please leave your comments below.

Good luck, everybody!  Stay well.

How to Look after Our Mental Health during the Coronavirus Crisis

How to Look after Our Mental Health during Coronavirus Crisis

The government's advice to self-isolate during the coronavirus crisis, for those of us who either have a confirmed diagnosis or have even mild coronavirus symptoms, is not good news for those with mental health issues. Especially as self-isolation could go on for three to four months during this coronavirus outbreak. 

Just dealing with, and processing, the constant influx of coronavirus news is enough to trigger high levels of anxiety.  It's important to rely on reputable sources.  

One thing that can help will be performing random acts of kindness – contributing something to others, which can help us to feel less isolated, more connected. 

I am so fortunate to live in an area where there are lots of people around offering to help me, offering to do my shopping, etc., as well as friends and family members checking up on me to make sure I am okay.  I feel well looked after.  

You probably have people in your family or group of friends, or in your local area, who need your help and support, and you may be one of the amazing, beautiful souls who are helping others. 

Go here for more suggestions of random acts of kindness.   

  

Go here for more advice about how to look after our mental health during this coronavirus outbreak.  

See also:  How to Help Others during the Coronavirus Crisis.

Please share this with your networks and please leave your comments below.  Thanks.