There’s no manual for how to deal with what’s happening right now. Coronavirus (COVID-19) is affecting every aspect of our lives, from our families to our jobs to our travel plans, and it’s scary.
As a small business, we’d like to say a massive thank you for your continued support at this challenging time. We also thought it would be useful to provide some advice to help you look after both your body and your mind over the next few weeks.
1. Keep following expert advice
The UK Government, Public Health England, and the NHS are regularly updating their guidance (see websites below). This includes advice on hand washing, what to do if you have any symptoms, and how to self-isolate. Follow the coronavirus information that comes from them rather than non-experts and don’t forget about general health advice – maintain a balanced diet, stay hydrated, and exercise regularly.
2. Keep moving (if you’re well enough)
If you’re working from home or self-isolating but you don’t have any symptoms of coronavirus, try to find a way to carry on exercising. You might have to swap the KBPT studio or gym for your living room floor, but that’s OK. Ask your KBPT trainer for an exercise plan to do at home and arrange to do your regular sessions via Skype or FaceTime. Everyone in our team is trained in online PT so you’ll still get a great workout. There are also loads of YouTube videos and apps available that will keep you moving. Get outside in your garden (or in the local park, at a good distance from other people) if you can – being in fresh air and surrounded by nature is so good for you.
3. Keep calm
It’s perfectly normal to feel anxious about coronavirus but it’s important that you try to keep things in perspective. You might find it helpful to limit your screen time and only check the news and social media once or twice or day so that it doesn’t become overwhelming. Try doing some relaxing activities while you’re at home – like listening to a podcast or practicing yoga – and make sure you get enough sleep. If you need any mental health support or you’re worried about how coronavirus might affect your finances, there’s lots of useful information online (see websites below).
Good Thinking
Money Advice Service
The Guardian
4. Keep in touch
Make the most of your smartphone to stay in touch with friends and family so that you don’t feel cut off. Set up a WhatsApp group, post on Instagram, and video chat on FaceTime. Talk to your kids about what’s happening and check in on elderly relatives as often as you can by phone or text. Just because you can’t meet your mates at the pub or play 5-a-side together doesn’t mean you need to lose touch. In fact, it’s more important than ever that we support each other right now.
BBC
5. Keep others in mind
There’s no denying, there’s a lot of difficult stuff going on but we’re also seeing some amazingly positive stories. Like Facebook groups being set up to support neighbors, supermarkets providing special shopping hours for the elderly, and musicians providing free ‘back garden concerts’ for people who are self-isolating. Maybe you could run errands for your older neighbors or donate some essentials to a local food bank. And please take the social distancing advice seriously – it’s there to protect us, our families and our friends. At uncertain times like this, kindness, compassion, and doing the right thing go a long way.
