I saw a little interview with the lovely Joan Bakewell on BBC Breakfast a couple of mornings ago , explaining how she found ways to beat the boredom and occupy her time when she was stuck at home from a long term illness. A soothing purr of reassurance and good sense in a Climate of Chaos.
She basically spelt out a number of tips that have been used by many of Us whom are often forced to remain at Home because of our Chronic Conditions or during times of treatment or surgery. Create a routine , do some exercise , take up new hobbies or get back to old ones, read , catch up on things you can do indoors that you haven't been able to do before because of a busy Out -of -the- House Life , keep in contact with Friends . Spring Clean , What??? 😨😨😨😨...... Ok! If you must!!!
All very simple and far from boring , and from my experience , I know all this to be very true.
After spending many periods over the years being regularly Housebound , and often in Self Isolation/ Socially Distanced ( current session 5 months and likely to double with the present situation) I know that rather than being a situation that has to increase Anxiety , Loneliness , or have you crawling up the walls ( unless you have a climbing wall , in which case crack on , just don't pop a joint!) it can actually enrich your Life and have its own very special Blessings.
Many of the People on the Forum with other Chronic Conditions as well as PMR or GCA , especially those like me with other Immunity issues , will probably wholeheartedly agree . Especially as the current situation and need for Social Isolation and Hygiene Awareness has coincided with the Winter Bug Season , for some of Us it may feel like business as usual.
I'm also conscious of the age of many of the people with PMR , GCA and many Chronic Health Issues. Many female sufferers will have lived through a time when much of your Life and Interests used to revolve around the Home and now have Creative Spaces that they itch to spend more time in . Many Men too, long for more time to spend tinkering alone in their shed , as yet , not out of bounds.
And how many of You , past retirement age , no matter what gender you are , have regularly commented that they wondered how they had time to have a job with all the things you have to do , many of those things that you do now, and had no time for , for decades before, are things done in the Home.
Then , of course , we live in a Digital Generation . Much of what we need ( unless it's beans , toilet roll or hand sanitizer) we can reach by a click of a button , even genuine social interaction.
We can learn a few things from the Younger Generation for once . They are the Masters of Living a Global Life from the comfort of their bedrooms and they do not think that their relationships are reduced by it. In fact, they think their social lives are enhanced by not having one to one contact or gathering in a room with other Humans. They gather not on Street Corners , but in chat and Gaming rooms , on Skype or Messenger , all day , everyday , and have better friendships with like minded souls worldwide because of it. Occasionally , they even speak on the actual phone .... occasionally though.....not too often.
Many of the members of the Forum are already well versed in having a vibrant and rich Family Life with their Children or Grandchildren whom live too far away to visit regularly . Many are often on the other side of the World. By using Social Media in this Modern Era , because we often don't get to meet physically more than once or twice a year , our Personal Relationships with our Families are just as strong and can often be closer than one between relatives that meet up everyday.
And of course , there is even progress in Exercise , with YouTube and online exercise classes of all descriptions , you can do all manner of interesting Activities , not just alone, but with others too, taught by the best Class Leaders in the world . With a bit of Tech Savvy , we can even chat and compete with others in the same Class online from the comfort of our living rooms via our phone or TV.
If there was ever an Age in which we found ourselves with the possibility of having a Worldwide quarantine , this one is probably the Age we should feel lucky to have it happen in.
So , with this in mind, I thought I would just give you a list of suggestions of things to do today , and then follow that up over the next few days with some more details about some of the best things on offer to You to make Life , Exercise, and Social Activity from Home not just bearable , but so good you may never want to leave the house again !!!
Honestly , I know , because sometimes , even without Covid 19 , it is just too peopley outside.
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List of Ten Things to Occupy Your Life at Home
1. Exercise : you can do everything from simple movement , Tai Chi , Pilates , Bath / Water exercise , to riding your bike or walking through a virtual City or Country Idyll.
2. Gardening: if you are lucky enough to have a tiny patch to use alone , or with your at home family , you can still take advantage of this. Even without a garden you can order seeds, bulbs and supplies online to fill your windows with blooms or fresh salad.
3. Meditation / Relaxation: Doing a bit of Mental ' Me' Time everyday should be part of every Person's Daily Routine not just the Housebound . Take the opportunity to experiment with long and short acts of Relaxation with Online or written help , alone , or with your Family, so when Life gets lively again you will have learnt the things you can do that really help you stay Calm and Reduce your Pain.
4. The Art of Proper Conversation : We may think in all the hundreds of Outside Interactions and Activities we do that we are experts in this and not meeting face to face will be missing out . But try and think of the last time you had a proper Chin wag that wasn't cut off or full of anything but practical facts??!! Now is the time to chat more at Home , or take advantage of organising regular Phone Calls and Skype with Friends and Family whom are also stuck at Home. It will hopefully become an enjoyable Habit for people we have lost touch with and start a more interactive life for many of Us .
5. Join more online groups and start new group boards in Private Messaging in forums you are in.
You can start group social chats on PMR/ GCA UK within Private Messaging by contacting people you talk to regularly in replies and seeing if they want to join a chat with you. Most online groups for all different hobbies and interests have social chat boards to join in on that are only open to members .
6. Start or Spend More Time on your Creative Hobbies : Be you a Closet Picasso , Wannabe Writer , Film lover , Once Avid Reader , Crafter, Car Mechanic or the next thing in Fashion Design , now is the time to start using the Time to perfect your skills and follow your Dreams. If things go on , you could even begin a Blog or Online Business working from Home.
7. Chronic Health Improvement: Many of Us have felt so worn out having to keep up with Social Activities that we keep putting off learning more about improving our Diet and Activity to another Day . Now is that Day. Experiment with Healthy Cooking . Read those books or Self Care blogs you keep saving but don't get round to. Maybe being stuck in the House , rather than making you feel more ill can make you Healthier than ever.
8. Music : A great way to improve your health and exercise those lungs. If you are alone at home why not start to try to learn that instrument you always wanted to learn or pick up that old favourite again. Sing in the mirror . Listen to your favourites . Sit in front of the box and watch a full concert from anyone , anywhere . Even Glastonbury can be back on this year with a bit of ingenuity.
9. Snail Mail , Diaries , Journalling : Now is a perfect way to help spread a little joy in the hearts of others left feeling a bit lonely at Home . Not just with a Phone Call but a real letter. We may pretend not to miss them , but secretly even Snarling Teens and Narky Grandads love a letter or card .... On actual paper.
10. Take the Time to actually get a bit of Rest : Improve your Sleep Health , get a new balance going , get fit by finally having the chance to learn the benefits and skills of Slowing Down.
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So , that's enough to be going on with , but if you still aren't convinced I hope other Forum Members will inspire you with their take on the benefits of a bit of Social Isolation and At Home Living , and from tomorrow I will add some lists of online and other resources to help you on you way . Now , I've got to flit , so much At Home Stuff to do and never enough time to do it!!!😋😁
Keep Proactive , Keep Positive , Keep Calm and Carry On
Virtual hugs and big electric kisses , Aunty Bee xxxx
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