Youre a wonderful person we’ll get through it together

Hi Community

Thanks for all your posts and contributions. It's uplifting to see the support and care we are offering one another, and the lack of selfishness in people's comments. Human beings can be pretty special :-) We're like the proverbial tea bags. In hot water, you can see how strong we are.

I also don't mind when people share a little vulnerability, I believe that can also be a form of leadership and strength.

In recent days I've noticed how much I need to manage myself on a daily basis. I do best when I tap into the things that give me strength:

- outdoor exercise, sunlight, fresh air.

- take action for something outside myself (my volunteer coaching work (now moved online), volunteering to help on a new project at work, chatting with boring elderly neighbours, being on the roster to clean handrails and common door knobs in my apartment block)

- phone calls with friends and family.

- vitamin C daily

- fresh fruit and veg

- sleep

- daily prayers/wishes/setting intintention

- write a daily gratitude list

- talk to my potted plants, look for visiting insects

- do my online french lesson

- look at the sky as much as possible. Listen for bird calls.

All healthy and helpful. Most free. Most within my control.

The universe helps those who shake a leg and help themselves.

Cheers all

Hi PatienceBay!

Welcome and thankyou for your wise and positive vibes :-) You are a breath of fresh air! You mentioned 'I also don't mind when people share a little vulnerability, I believe that can also be a form of leadership and strength' Nice1

my kind thoughts....have a great weekend too!

Paul

Hanna3 we can only use parks for exercises here. We can't just sit anymore.

Thank you quirkywords for the welcome.

I used to go to an Art class and I did some painting yesterday. Our teacher is going to send us his paintings to copy then we'll send pics of what we do and he'll critique them. So that's something to do.

Going for a walk soon.

Have a good weekend.

Hey and welcome to our BB forum Jojosuga!

I'm sorry no-one replied to your post on this thread. Maybe introducing yourself in 'that' section will bare fruit? Please feel free to engage on other threads/topics as well. Having people to talk with can make a huge difference in your life; it did for me.

Hope to see your username here and there; a welcome addition to our membership crew. Take care and talk the walk!

Sara xo

Hi BlondGuy.....how do I find this Survey for Blue Voices (I didn't know there was such a thing as Blue Voices!)....I really would like to have an input.......can someone direct me?

Hey Moon;

You need to join 'Blue Voices' before they send you updates etc. It's not the same as being a member of this forum. At the top right hand side of this page, just above the Log-in and Register Buttons, it says Blue Voices. Tap on it to go and register, then you'll get a blue badge under your username that says; "Blue Voices Member"

Each week you'll receive updates and offers to support research etc.

It doesn't take long.

Sara x

Hi Moon

Just Sara has guided you to how to find Blue Voices. In addition to this once you become a member and can access their homepage you will find a section on the opening page that says - "Contact The Blue Voices Team". Click on this and give them your ideas and thoughts about what things BB could do to help our community during this time. Let us know if you're still having difficulties.

Cheers

PamelaR

Jojsuga,

Welcome to this thread and the forum.

I hope you find interesting posts here and on other threads.

You may like to look at this thread. How to take practical advantage of isolation

eel free keep posting here, share thoughts and other questions, there is another thread Dear Diary where people share the day to day frustrations and activities of self isolation.

Hi meforcats, in NSW you can sit on a park bench if you tire from exercise or need a rest or have an injury/sore foot/knee, feel unwell etc. I only sit in the park when walking with my dog. I don't know how it is in other states. It's getting to cold here to sit outside anymore in any case - only 9 degrees here today! Yesterday I had an ice cream sitting in my car after walking the dog - much more comfortable! Cheers.

Hello Moon,

Just Sara said "At the top right hand side of this page, just above the Log-in and Register Buttons, it says Blue Voices."

On my computer the blue voices link isn't located there, so if it's not there on yours, I found it under the "Get Involved" link located in the blue band at the top of the page.

Hope this helps

Paws

Hanna3 I'm in Vic and it was cold here today so I didn't walk. I used the weights instead for a short while. I've got a cat and she's good company as I live alone.

Bye for now.

How do I cope?

Keeping in touch with friend who keeps me in check with my emotions when i have a meltdown.
Trying hard not to go into panicky mode when neighbour blasts their music out loud with sub woofer

Play with cats.
Try to read or do adult colouring

Its not easy as hate confined spaces.

Sometimes go to car and sit in it to feel i am less isolated and alone. I have no family.

Life not easy but health care workers are the worst off so should be grateful.

Using weights sounds good Meforcats - and glad you have a cat for company! I knew someone years ago who used to take their cat out for walks on a collar and lead - the cat seemed absolutely fine with it. Kind of a cat dog! Take care ...

Thank you to everyone who guided me how to join Blue Voices.....ashamed to confess I did not carry it through and complete the registration...I realised the Corona suggestions close tonight at 5pm and I have no request for BB itself...except perhaps to pass this on......

Quirky...I did see of course the Govt has given funding for a BB program (would have been good for politicians fronting the TV news flashes to recognise the need from the beginning but at least they seem to recognise that mental illness exists now)........and you asked if there was anything I could suggest to lessen the long term effects.......one major thing...the same I've felt from practically Day One......for those earlier mentioned politicians to at least "soften their verbal style" when communicating with "us"...the nation, their "people"!

Our Prime Minister and more particularly my State Premier could be advised (they Do have Media Advisers I take it?) not to present such "stoney, negative, harbingers of doom" faces and expressions" when giving us details of more and more restrictions on our personal freedoms.

Soften your approaches Please!!! Learn some vital communication skills.....you don't have to lie, but bad news can be delivered in a more compassionate way...you are our leaders.....lead us towards hope, recovery,.....stop using words like " It's going to get much much worse. We have to get used to a whole new way of life"...does this mean it will last for the rest of my life??? Stop using phrases like this....please.....children are watching and listening too you know!!

I am so grateful we can still buy takeaway coffee,

so decided I would make my downstairs into a cafe type area, and I go buy my coffee and can relax in my own cafe area, and there is room for a friend as well.

We need to be grateful for each day we have, This is a great opportunity to learn a new skill

find a hobby we would like to do so we are not bored all day.

Moon

hanks for explaining. I think I mentioned that it is a balance between saying there is noting to worry about and there will be roses and rainbows and saying that life as we no it will change .

said before that the people in charge in Canberra did not prepare people for terrible fires many years ago and they were condemned. If some had said that so many houses and shops would be destroyed in my tiny village I would not have believed them but if they had said our town would be fine, I would be so angry.

A balance is hard, there are many like you who want a bit of hope and softness in the message but others want the hard truth , so which side does a leader lean towards.

Thanks again for expressing your thoughts which I suspect.

Hanna3 cat dog sounds really funny. 😄 Mine is an indoor one I can't imagine her on a lead. She's grey and white with a triangular face. Very cute. Keep warm.

Hi Quirky and Moon

I think Quirky has provided an appropriate balance to your conern Moon. I just want to add that ...

There has been a terrific urgency attached to the messages we have been receiving. And the government was communicating with a huge variety of people in terms of their willingness to comply. I think the blunt, strong messages were designed to ensure maximum compliance. They had to "cut through", people had to sit up and listen and then step up and act--and it worked.

We also have to acknowledge that the situation is serious. There is no hiding the truth of what can happen without appropriate action. And it will continue to be so for some time.

The good news is that people have listened. We are achieving results, which indicate 90 per cent compliance with new social diatancing requirements.

Next week the federal government will show us the modelling they are using. They will provide the data to demonstrate the consequences of staying the course or not. I expect there will be more direct talk.

Kind thoughts to you

She sounds sweet meforcats! I'd love a cat as company for Mr Sam, but I can't get one during this virus - hopefully some time in the future - I reckon Sam would like a furry friend!

Maybe we could have a sensitive news service for all those who may experience greater anxiety. Rather than the blunt and forceful message presented (which has worked for most people), perhaps an update through a spokesperson with softer people skills. Perhaps a “Beyond Blue News report on ABC or the like.

Read this interesting article in The Age by Jessica Watson. Jessica sailed solo around the world, beginning her voyage at 16.

Whilst her isolation was different, still good to read her thoughts on how she coped.

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/jessica-watson-on-surviving-this-isolated-life-20200401-p54g18.html

I cope by phone conversations and walking...

Writing and lists makes me feel more in control

Just putting pen to paper

I watch movies that are so unrelated to my current state and emotions - foreign films, films set in different times and places... good distraction...

I do try and stay away from people who hvae a hectic attitude to the current events - they can bring you down so easily.

Hi Everyone :-) Great to have your life experience and clarity during this crappy time Sara :-)

Thankyou Just Sara and Paws for helping out with the 'Blue Voices' survey info above

Just Sara mentioned.....

"You need to join 'Blue Voices' before they send you updates etc. It's not the same as being a member of this forum. At the top right hand side of this page, just above the Log-in and Register Buttons, it says Blue Voices. Tap on it to go and register, then you'll get a blue badge under your username that says; "Blue Voices Member"

be well x

Paul

Hi SapereAude

I like your thinking. Bb has received funding ($15m) to devise and provide a mental health response to the pandemic, so who knows. In the meantime...

My daughter has a mental health condition (OCD and GAD). To help her cope during this crisis, our deal is this:

• She does not listen, watch or read the news.

• I watch/read the news early morning (before she awakes).

• Then I tell her only what she needs to know on a daily basis in a way she can handle.

Kind thoughts to you

Hi Summer Rose....Just a quick note of sincere appreciation

" I think the blunt, strong messages were designed to ensure maximum compliance. They had to "cut through", people had to sit up and listen and then step up and act--and it worked" Thankyou so much for being so accurate! Good1

my kind thoughts

Paul

Hi All, this COV-19 has not only surprised all of us but our government both federal and state have introduced strict measures to keep this virus from spreading.

The same should have happened in 2017 when the flu affected an enormous amount of people who passed away, far more than this current virus, but we'll learn from what we have done and what we've been allowed to do next time and be much quicker to respond.

How we behave is going to affect anybody with a mental illness, either way, and it's imperative that we keep our minds focused on the tasks we want to achieve.

It's going to change how we greet people in the future, how we know what to stock in the cupboards, freezer or general household and certainly mindful of how we go about our duties.

Stay safe.

Geoff.

Yeah it's all a bit of a catch 22. l mean they needed to jump on this and hard a month ago and that's what they've tried to do. They needed the message out there loud and clear then , not in a few wks or months , right then but if people took a few more wks or mths to start taking it seriously that'd be too late . lt was a shock to everyone no doubt l couldn't believe what was happening sat there jaw dropped for the first wk or two. Thing is though those weeks were crucial , tight there and then . So persponally l can't really see how else they could've put it across because anything less would've just set this thing free for a few more weeks and be 20 times worse, more maybe. l mean the vic prem said something 3wks ago that spelt it out and sent me sick to the stomach , but he was right , and before that l didn't realize just what all this was . Abd he was holding back , he could've said much worse and you could see he didn't wanna say what he said but reporters kept pushing it and questioning it's seriousness , he had no choice.

l was worried sick about the kids too , but even my daughter 18was like ahhh. whatever, so what do you do , she can't be like that. We had to scare her a little bit into taking care and that broke my heart bc l know what she's like and l didn't want it to have to get to that wake her up , l didn't even want her woken up and scarred , but before that she was just doin and going what and where she wanted and thought it was all just a big fuss over nothing. Well we can't give her 3wks to start taking it seriously no one had that time,

So , l think it was probably all an on purpose just had to be thing myself and if we look at where it all is now then really , just thannks God they did really because it's working . So yeah, it was all a really tough call to my mind.

Hi PatienceBay,

My sentiments to you... (I don’t drink alcohol) but I’ve had the same thoughts and done the same thing with removing Caffeine dependence from my diet over the last week and a half... I went full cold turkey (which I do not recommend - but I only have two switches it seems... and they are All or Nothing so I’m dealing with it my way) the flipside to this I believe amongst some other subconscious influences which I’ve outlined in a separate post has been a major trigger of the high anxiety I’ve been experiencing the past week or so coupled with some adverse freak outs I’ve had overthinking the while COVID situation.

I realise all our lives are different regarding the spaces and environments we inhabit so I get that not all of us have the luxury to run to the hills or even walk outside in nature but just wanted to share here with everyone a couple of thoughts and actions I’m doing to help reduce some of my anxiety levels while dealing with the current state of affairs...

• Limiting my exposure to COVID media reports (actually I’m currently not watching anything to do with it atm). Nothing. Nada.
• No more watching US and global political commentary online
• No more watching my daily doses of ‘Outrage Culture’ and regular hyper opinionated commentators online
• I still need the internet for work but I’ve hardwired my computers with ethernet cables and Shut off the Home WIFi so there’s less ‘invisible noise’ in the immediate space around me.
• Drinking warm (boiled water) (no tea or stimulants) to be softer on my insides for the moment
• Controlled Slow deep breathing through my nose filling my stomach and lungs and slowly exhaling through my mouth - this seems to ground me and bring my hyperactive imagination back to a manageable level when I start overwhelming myself by thinking too much
• Staring at the night sky and watching the stars
• Acknowledging that the manufactured fear we are being subjected to by the media is a means of controlling us. Don’t let fear or the current lack of (power of) control get the better of you. You are in control!
• Crying - seriously let that flow like a waterfall if u can... it really helps clear some stuff out !!
• Reading other’s experiences in these forums (see crying above)
• Having conversations about other things - or with less emphasis on the negative aspects of the global situation.

Remember your subconscious is the true genius... your breathing goes wrong the moment your conscious self meddles with it!

+++

BlueSmoke