Now that we are all having to practice Social Distancing in the UK during this Covid 19 outbreak it’s important to try and stay positive and motivated and not become overwhelmed.
I know that’s probably easier said than done in the current situation but here are a few tips on how to cope with Social Distancing.
What does Social Distancing mean
This is the UK Governments advice on Social Distancing
Avoid contact with someone who is displaying symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19). These symptoms include high temperature and/or new and continuous cough
Avoid non-essential use of public transport when possible
Work from home, where possible. Your employer should support you to do this. Please refer to employer guidance for more information
Avoid large and small gatherings in public spaces, noting that pubs, restaurants, leisure centres and similar venues are currently shut as infections spread easily in closed spaces where people gather together.
Avoid gatherings with friends and family. Keep in touch using remote technology such as phone, internet, and social media
Use telephone or online services to contact your GP or other essential services
Everyone should be trying to follow these measures as much as is practicable.
We strongly advise you to follow the above measures as much as you can and to significantly limit your face-to-face interaction with friends and family if possible, particularly if you:
Tips for Social Distancing
Get into a routine
It’s important to try and keep some sort of routine during Social Distancing. Make sure that you get up and shower and get dressed. It may be fun lounging around in your PJs for a day or two but don’t do it for any longer than that!
You don’t need to stick to a rigid routine but it’s a good idea to plan ahead and set yourself some goals.
Keep updated with News but don’t over do it
It’s important to keep updated with the latest advice so make sure you read the latest updates or watch the news once a day.
However, it doesn’t help to have the news on constantly throughout the day or to do nothing but read about Covid 19 all day.
Set yourself a limit as to when you’ll check the news for updates. Turning the news on for the Governments daily update around 5pm might be a good idea.
But don’t have your radio or TV on the news channel all day, switch to a music channel and take a break from the news.
Keep connected
We may all have to limit our physical social contact but that doesn’t mean we should shut ourselves off from all social contact.
Take time to connect with friends and family using digital technology, Face Time or Skype them or even just pick up the phone and call them.
If you play online games with friends this can also be good but just remember to limit the time you spend Gaming and mix it up with other activities.
Keep Busy
If you’re not working from home then you’ll need to keep busy.
With all this time on your hands why not get those jobs done that you’ve been putting off:
- sort your digital photos
- declutter your wardrobe
- read a good book
- make some wax food wraps
- start making your own bread or pasta
- do some gardening
Get Outside if possible (check latest advice from NHS / Government)
It’s important to get some fresh air so if possible go out for a walk somewhere that you won’t bump into anyone or just spend some time in your garden, if you have one.
But, if you can’t get outside then you should open the windows and let some fresh air in.
The advice is constantly changing but currently the guidance is that you may go out to walk for exercise if you stay at least 2 metres away from other people.
Have some fun
To keep motivated it’s important to have some fun.
- Set up a Playlist on Spotify and play your favourite songs during the day (random mode) – spontaneous singing and dancing around the house is strongly encouraged
- Have a movie night with the family – make some popcorn and put one of your favourite feel good movies on and watch it together.
- Play a board game, but don’t let it get too competitive 😊
- Set up a Netflix Watch Party with friends – Netflix Party synchronises video playback and adds group chat to your favourite Netflix shows so you can watch online and chat with friends.
- Catch up with friends on Zoom video conferencing. You could even run a quiz with friends or even take part in a Wine Tasting. Katie Jones one of the Naked Wines Winemakers is going to do a weekly Zoom wine tasting on a Wednesday evening.
Take some time for yourself
Although you may be practising Social Distancing it’s still important to take some time out each day just for yourself.
If you are feeling overwhelmed you may find practising some Mindful exercises help. There are a number of Mindfullness Apps that you may find useful
These are very uncertain times but we all need to try and stay positive and look after ourselves mentally and physically.
Advice is changing constantly so keep updated with advice on self-isolating and social distancing from NHS and Government and keep safe 🙂
