Dear Sleepy21,

Here is an old depression era way to wash clothes. Half fill your bath with warm water, pour in laundry liquid and put your clothes in the bath. Then, with bare feet, stomp up and down on the clothes until they are washed through. Pull the plug on the bath and refill it to rinse the clothes. You will have to wring them out by hand. Hopefully you have somewhere you can dry them.. good luck!

dry liquid

Hi Jacey

If you are still around ...

I heard the issue of "retrenchments of nurses at private hospitals due to the cancellation of elective surgery" being discussed on today's ABC TV morning program. You are certainly not alone and the issue of how best to utilise this important nursing resource and private hospitals is bubbling up to the forefront. Hang in there.

Quarantined

hanks for your post and welcome to this thread.

I think very soon all people coming back to Australia will be quarantined in hotels and the police will making sure rules are followed. The Police in charge explained the people are not criminals but ordinary people who have been overseas . The police are there to help them.

I think that while the hotel means you are away from family at least you will be isolated. Also many people were not self isolating.

I started a thread Dear diary in staying well, where people can talk about how it feels daily to be self isolated.

You are doing well and there is support here for you.

You have not made a mistake you are following the guidelines that were in place.

2quik, The physical distancing measures are to try and help stop the spread of this virus and it's important to abide by them, it's for your safety and everyone else's. I don't think Australia has over-reacted at all when you look at what is happening in countries like Italy and Spain. I don't know which country you would move to - the USA is in a bad way and New York is in a terrible situation.

Please people understand the physical distancing, hand washing, covering coughs and sneezes, are really important to reduce the spread of this virus! The restrictions are there to try to help safeguard as many people as possible and reduce the load on our hospitals. Thanks everyone.

Hello everyone

Hanna I agree that the health guidelines are important but I had woman scream at me to get back, before they had crosses, and was already so far away from her I wasn't getting served. I think we are all so anxious and tired that a little kindness is needed.

If I am standing in the wrong place, please just say to me in a soft voice where I need to stand. Mostly people say please and thank you and that is reassuring.

I think most of us are trying to follow guidelines and be resourceful and kind in these difficult times.

like the song that Neil Diamond parodied his own song sweet carloine, with the chorus hands, washing hands reaching out, I wont touch you, don't touch me sweet caroline…

I know sing it when I wash my hands makes a change from nursery rhymes.

I think celebrities making health messages are a great way to spread the hygenic guidelines.

Hello Forum Friends,

Hope you're all well.

I'd love to hear from you all, what are you doing inside to keep smiling? I'm making the below a route to help keep smiling in these trying time:

- Watch slow-tv on YouTube daily, with my favorite channel being "Village Life". It's so relaxing to watching the ladies cook start to finish (its a form of mindfulness).

- Do 10,000 set a day (only walk the block)

- Making sure I read all the posts on our forum

Looking forward to hearing what you're all doing,

Regards

Hi Summer Rose - your rationale approach was so calming. Thanks for sharing how you're managing in your home. How are your kids doing with the new rules? It sounds like eveyrone in the household is working together and keeping an open line of communication.

I also do two walks a day, although I've been walking along a shopping strip and sometimes I don't like the way people are still congregating, and I feel they are a bit close to me as well. I'm maybe going to walk more in quiet streets going forward. But it's great to get outdoors during this time, with social distancing

I totally know what you mean. For me it’s not just the isolation that bothers me but the fact that if I need help now I feel like I’m more alone and simply won’t get it (whether it’s a medical emergency or general help).

the panic of this whole thing is definitely worse than the virus. Whether u have anxiety or depression it makes no difference, times like this wreck havoc on your system.

ive been playing a bit of RuneScape online to take my mind off things. It’s been years since I’ve played 😁

I agree totally with Andre. I would prefer really strict measures for a short time with total quarantine for anyone from overseas or in contact with the virus until it is controlled throughout the world. But at least if we were really locked down for a short period we'd stop new cases & be able to identify anyone with the virus & then get back to normality except for OS travel. Partial lockdown is just dragging it out and making it worse.

My husband has a chronic condition but he is now only able to get medical help over the phone but they can't check his chest & give proper advice. Procedures planned to reduce his risk of serious life threatening complication are on hold because hospitals don't have the resources to care for him properly during this crisis. As for getting any other help that is now impossible.

For the last two days, I’ve been trying to go for a swim in the ocean. I generally go for one every day. Where I live, the beaches/ocean pools are closed.

I have depression and anxiety, I don’t take medication, the ocean is my medicine. It caresses me, revitalises me, makes me joyous and calm.

I think closing our beaches, gyms etc will have a profound impact on people’s lives. I also believe this impact is underestimated.

 

Hoplah,

Welcome to the forum and this thread.

I am glad swimming helps you and brings joy and makes you calm,

Decisions are made in the interests to stop the virus spreading. People will be impacted but it hopefully stops the virus spreading and helps to flatten the curve.

Is there some other activity you can do that could clam you.

Thanks again for writing your first post.

Hi Sleepy21

In answer to your question, how are my kids coping with the new house rules? Pretty good, all things considered.

It was harder during the past two weeks because a lot of their friends were still getting together to hang out, go the beach, etc. But most of that has stopped at present, which makes life easier. They are both missing their partners deeply, so there's a lot of Face Time going on in our house.

We've started a game of Risk--for anyone who doesn't know, this is a board game and it takes a long time to finish this game--and play for an hour or so each day when we are all bored. We've also ordered a heap of books to make good use of the time. And we are talking, really talking.

This time for me with my adult children is a gift. Normally they are so busy with work (both have now lost their hospitality jobs), partners, gym and uni that I feel like we don't have time to really connect. A silver lining for me and hopefully many other families.

I'm like you, I'm frustrated whilst out walking that some people seem oblivious to the self-distancing rules. I feel like some people are still a little blase about it all. Same is true for the grocery store. Sometimes I'm tempted to gently ask people not to come too close to me but haven't as yet; I just move away from them. I'm conscious that many people are stressed and anxious at present and might not appreciate even a gentle reminder!

Kind thoughts to all

Hi Andre_P & others ,

I agree, if owe beaches are closed its going to put a stop to an amazing outlet. If been going to the local park instead.

On a personal leave, I have a new housemate moving in tomorrow. I'm really worried he won't like me because we will be living on each other. He works in childcare, so is still working for the moment. I'm just stuck on how to start an amazing relationship with someone in the different times.

regards,

doz,

I think he will be feeling a bit apprehensive too so be honest and have a chat about living arrangements like guidelines in the kitchen etc. Maybe a chat about cleanliness guidelines as everyone will be thinking about them.

Did you interview for the housemate?

Hey there, so glad you’ve found some entertaining viewing. It’s so important that you want to find something that you can have a genuine laugh at to stay on top of the blues. I also am thankful I love to read, I’ve got 6 books on the go right now lol If you have Netflix and like food and travel shows try one called ‘Somebody Feed Phil’...... I’ve have been belly laughing out loud. Especially as I’m in self isolation due to an autoimmune disease and a suppressed immune system etc... I hope you are all finding the small joys in our forced homestay!

Hey Ellu - good tips!! what did people do before washign machines, right? They managed!

I finally washed my clothes and have clean stuff. I wander if laundromats will close now, since they have announced today that you can only have 2 people together at once. I did read somewhere though that they are essential and also taking care of yourself and having clean clothes is important. I left my stuff for weeks lol without washing... not great. Still trying to keep normality and remember self care in this difficult time. Thanks for your great tips

Hey Ren - Welcome!!!! what books are you reading? What else are you enjoying on Netflix?? I'm actually so so bored and trying so hard to remember to do pleasant things and not just get lost in how mundane everything is getting. Now I'm off to boil up a healthy hot chocolate. Maybe journal a little... Would love to hear from others what is working for them to feel human and relaxed during these end-of-days times

Ren, I too welcome you to the forum and the thread.

I too have a few books going at once, Do you like fiction or non fiction or both?

Sleepy I think there have been quite a few posts where people explain what works for them and helps them be calm. It is always good to hear new ideas.

there is another thread How to take practical advantage of isolation that you may like to browse.

Hi guys,

This thread has been a massive help, but today i've just been hit like a train with absolute misery feelings. I've been self isolating as much as possible for the last two weeks that I was on annual leave from work, but i'm headed back to work this morning as my company is deemed essential and I can't work from home.

Just the thought of this going on for months is tearing apart my insides, i'm lonely and desperately craving seeing people. A month I can handle, but seeing things that these doctors and scientists are saying 12+ months of this, I just don't see any value in continuing at the moment.

Sorry for being so negative :(

Blackbubblegum

Thanks for your post and welcome to this thread.

I can understand that feeling of feelings so misery that takes you by surprise.

If you are back at work wont that mean you will have company at work or are you worrying about when you are at home?

It is overwhelming to think of the long term when all we can do is approach one day at a time.

Can you remind yourself daily that this is temporary.

Please take time to remind yourself that although this is very hard and will go on for an undetermined time.

It is part of life and it will pass.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and feel free to do so as much as you like.

I find mornings hard too and I feel saddest then. Things will change and I do know that listening to lots of news can be very unsettling.

We are in this together . You are not alone and there is support here.

Take care

Hi Im new to this thread, I agree with the measures against the coronavirus. I had two casual jobs in Hospitality which have both finished, financially I am okay and will be able to weather it out for six months. My concerns are that I live alone and now only leave the house twice a week to go shopping, will I go crazy from loneliness and boredom (work was a big social outlet) and I wonder how bad the economy and job market will be once this is all over. Will I be re-employed or be able to find alternative employment or will it be a complete shit show. Also I adopted a cat four weeks ago and she has been an absolute blessing at this difficult time.

Hi everyone

Its so hard not to do your usual routine.

I'm walking to get a coffee in the mornings and going for short walks to keep the exercise up a bit. Staying home is hard haha.

I hope you all are doing well.

Thats a good idea about doing the coffee run in the mornings I think Ill incorporate a walk and coffee into my daily routine should break the day up a bit.

Hi rememberme,

Welcome to the forum. Your post resonated with me today as I was talking to my friend in Canada who also has two hospitality jobs which have gone into hibernation and she also was expressing concern for her future and had some big questions as you describe about the hospitality and tourism industry, the economy, will it be the same again? AND today my brother just got a kitten (this was planned before the pandemic) and says it is blessing to have a new pet in the house.

As far as socialising during this time, you are already doing it to some degree. You are online, you are on this forum and posting. These are steps that not everyone is comfortable doing so well done for being here and reaching out in the public space.

So many of us have these big questions and it is truly an unpredictable space, even for our global leaders. Taking things slowly and not feeling pressured to know everything is important for our own mental health.

Allowing time to question the unknown is important but putting some structure around that time can help us to stay in a more practical space. In some therapy structures, you can even name it and call it 'worrytime' or something of the like.

For example, you could spend an hour in the morning and an hour in the evening worrying about the things you cannot control, but then put those worries in a box on a shelf and focus on some of things you can control such as time with your kitten, trying an online course or class, Facetiming others, using the BB forum etc.

The forum is a safe place to reach out and I hope you find many outlets across the different areas. You will see that there is social zone where many people connect and do games and other activities.

You are not alone.

Nurse Jenn

Thank you for your response Nurse Jenn, . I will try setting time out to worry as you suggest and spend the rest of my time being more constructive. I love my kitty cat she is very spoilt and loves having me at home. She says thanks for the good advice and sends you gentle paw massages

Hi,

I love slow tv - I watch videos of people walking around. It is very relaxing.

COVID-19 Hello every1. This is my 1st post. I just signed up. I live alone. I have no family in Australia. Friends I'd normally c r isolating. Joined 4 some socialisation & company 2 help 2 curb onset of possible depression. I have experienced episodes b4. I hope ppl r well & doing all possible 2 cope :)

Hi Quirkywords,

Being at work if anything is actually making me worse. Due to the amount of people being laid off they've dumped 2-3 people's duties onto me so i'm running around like a maniac trying to get things done. I always dealt with disliking my job and my career path by thinking at least I have the weekend to look forward to, to motivate me but without that i'm struggling to not break down at work.

Literally the only reason i'm even trying is my parents. I'm trying to put on a fake smile so they don't worry.

I honestly felt like I was getting on top of my anxiety and depression, finding something to live for in the weeks leading up to this, I guess that's the universe's way of saying that there's no point.

Goodmorning
I have been waiting for my psychologist appointment a few months now it's coming up and I can't go as I am home with my young kids. I will call the office and see if I could talk can I email as an option, is anyone else in the same situation?

2BC Gal, Luca Brasi,

Welcome to the forum and this thread. Thanks for making your first post.

2BC Gal, I have not heard of slow tv, I may have a look.

Luca Brasi, I hope you can browse some of the threads and get support. You are not alone.

Black Bubblegum, I can feel the frustration and pain in your words. It does seem so unfair just when you felt you were getting on top of your anxiety and depression.

Who knows why this has happened at this time? I know I was so angry when the virus came as I was recovering from having my home and shop destroyed by the fires on NYE. I thought that would be enough to cope with but now this. I am thinking now when I get through this how resilient I will be,

It is hard , this is a chance for everyone to work together and support each other. You are worried about your parents and you are self aware enough to be aware of how this pandemic is affecting your health.

There is support and you are not alone.