Fantastic news in vic and for most of the country too actually as most states had no new cases today , at least that was at about 2pm.

But tonight by 5 vic has had 2 , which is just incredible but here's the really good part, out of our over 1300 , there's only 117 or so that actually still have the virus right now, out of 6or 7 million , that is just amazing,

So , chin up people wherever you are in oz , this is all really really paying off and saving many many lives too.

rx

Hi Geoff,

It's taken me a while to reply because I wasn't really sure how to.

Any stressful situation can tempt most people to drink more, and I wanted to share with the community my thoughts about that risk during covid-19 restrictions. And also wanted to share my personal plan. ('Be the change you want to see' and all that).

Now, a month later, I'd be lying if I said I've had zero alcohol since the start of restrictions. However, I have been very mindful of the situations in which I drink, and my quantities. Everyone's mental health is a bit fragile right now, so I think we all need to be mindful about alcohol.

Good advice I've heard is 'Don't drink to get happy. Drink only when you are already happy.'

I support anyone who want to drink less, or generally improve their physical or mental health in any form at all :-)

So as for you and your 4 months, Geoff, I say big congratulations and... Go get em, tiger! 🐅

Caels

You sound resilient to me. Believe in yourself and the wisdom of your past experiences.

Also - you may like this - there are 'positive news only' websites you can visit or sign up for free newsletter.

Sending warm thoughts your way :-)

Moonstruck,

Thank you for sharing honestly and courageously.

Your feelings and perceptions are 100% valid for you. Nobody else can tell you how to think or feel.

You have the right to keep searching... to find your 'tribe' (people who share your views and places you can exchange ideas in a welcoming environment). That's a path you'll have to travel for yourself. No one can tell you how.

Stay true to you

It's a very precious thing

Sending you so much love and empathy

PatienceBay

Hello everyone

Moon, I feel I may be repeating myself. I do understand where you are coming from.

I may look at it from a different perspective.

I don't see that we are treated like criminals but we are in the midst of a pandemic and the restrictions are to stop the disease from spreading.

Sure I don't like not being able to see my grandchild but I understand why and if it helps to keep my partner who is over 70 healthy, I will comply.

These are very difficult times and if we don't want the covid-19 to spread like it has in other countries we need to follow the guidelines.

Sure I can see how the restrictions may affect you personally but they are for the bigger picture and they will go once we get the all clear.

Our leaders and medical experts are new at dealing with this but with 2million worldwide with covid-19 , It shows how serious this is and how we need to follow the restrictions.

To me it is like some people on medication, and they feel great , so they stop taking it because they don't like the idea of taking medication. The point is they feel well because they are taking medication.

Things are flattening the curve because of the restrictions and if they stop too early there maybe a spike in the disease.

Moon, I have always admire the way you speak your mind and can see how you feel and maybe nothing I say will change your mind. That is why we are lucky we have the forum where we can speak our minds and be treated with respect,.

Thanks again for sharing your ideas.

.

Hi all,

I'm not usually one to post on these forums (I tend to browse haha!) but really in need of a place to vent and some advice I suppose. How are you folks out there with pre-existing health anxiety managing with all of this? I'm honestly struggling; I've had health anxiety for almost a decade (I'm 22 now) and whilst I am doing all the right things by staying home, social distancing etc etc, I'm really struggling with this anxiety, to the point where my physical health is deteriorating. My throat constantly feels tight, I have chest, shoulder and neck pain. It's very uncomfortable and I know that it's most likely from anxiety (I haven't been anywhere or left the house to have caught Covid19!!) but the more I experience the symptoms the more my anxiety grows, which then exacerbates the symptoms and it's just one big vicious cycle! I don't deal well with changing routines either, so this whole thing has been a shock to the system. I'm very grateful that I have a safe space to stay in and I know that there are so many healthcare and other essential workers doing all they can, but I just can't seem to curb this stress about all the change and the virus.

Any advice would be so appreciated.

Sending out love and compassion to everyone who needs it right now x

Hi Moonstruck

You are not wrong. The way we have surrendered our personal freedoms and choices is disheartening, scary even. But what's the alternative?

Looking at the big picture is what makes it worth it for me. I do not want us to endure the nightmare scenarios currently playing out in the USA, Spain and Italy. And, on a personal level, I do not want to do anything to contribute to the illness or death of another person.

Remembering that our country is succeeding in flattening the curve keeps me motivated. We are saving lives by working together to comply with physical diatancing measures. Our sacrifices have meaning.

Knowing that it will get easier in time gives me hope. The PM spoke today about reviewing the base measures in four weeks. It never rains forever.

We will get our lives back. Hang in there.

Kind thoughts to you

Hi SummerRose. I absolutely agree with what you have said about the restrictions and looking ahead. There really is no other option.

In your post to Moonstruck tonight you didn’t say anything, but like an enormous number of people you are probably finding the restrictions really tough. I am too. My emotions are going up and down like a yo-yo. Sometimes I feel ok, other times quite desperate for company (I live alone) and being able to do something as simple as going to a cafe for coffee like used to be “normal”. I have spoken with various people from time to time, but not much and I’m almost starting to feel like I’m forgetting how to have a conversation ! Having said that I did go out today for a walk with my dog and ended up chatting with a lady parked in the car next to me 😂. I needed to talk with someone so much that I said hello to a complete stranger and she was glad of the contact too.

So our PM spoke today about what may be possible in 4 weeks, and so I felt some hope, some light, there too. Yes, we will get our lives back ......

Take care to be safe Summer Rose, Cala

I can understand Moonstruck's point of view. I am having frequent feelings of everything being hopeless which are exacerbated by the negative reminders that we've got a long way to go. & the restrictions can't be lifted or we'll be like other countries.

I am happy our leaders closed the borders & put lockdown restrictions because it has stopped the spread which is good for all of us. I also understand we can't just go back to our previous lifestyle while there are cases in Australia.It only takes one case to spread to start an epidemic. I am extremely concerned as my daughter is in the UK and conditions are terrible because they let it go too far before locking down and they are only testing people in hospital & they are people already extremely ill from the virus. At least here we can get treatment before too late.

I need to see some hope of easing restrictions in the near future with proper controls so we can deal with outbreaks. The rules seem to be inconsistent and unclear. I am having trouble finding some items because they are out of stock but am I breaking the law going back to see if they are back in the shop a few days later. Because of the restrictions I can't take my husband to the GP to get his chest checked. We can only use phone calls so he is prescribed asthma medication without being checked. Last time he was sick he was sent to emergency, put in isolation so I couldn't make sure they understood his condition, tested for Covid 19 (test was negative as we expected) & sent home with no treatment for his illness.I'm expected to treat him at home & avoid taking him to hospital according to his specialist. Planned treatments to reduce the risk of life threatening complications are on hold because of the restrictions.

Hi SpeakYourTruth

In answer to your post, yes, I do find the restrictions tough.

My daughter has OCD and the changes to our world are making her symptomatic. My son has deferred his uni studies, and this saddens me. My husband is run off his feet at work (an essential worker) and I worry constantly. I am often feeling lonely. And because of the restrictions all of my usual support networks are gone.

But I get up everyday and keep going, just like all of you. I look to better days ahead. I remind myself how lucky I am to be healthy. There are many people doing it far worse than me.

This forum is really helpful because I know I am not alone. Elizabeth and I share the pain of worrying for ill loved ones. Moon and I grieve our lost freedoms. You and I share the need for human connection.

We are all far more alike than we are different. We are bound by our humanity and we gain strength by helping each other and leaning on each other. I thank you all for being here.

Kind thoughts to you

My anxiety is through the roof with this current situation. Our jobs are getting cut left and right and the hospital is getting smaller and smaller as I work in private. Govt has cancelled elective surgeries and this has put so many out of work. It’s the not knowing if you’ll have a job tomorrow that’s scary and how am I going to pay bills and buy food. The bulk buying is out of control and leaves not much for the people who work shift work. People have turned nasty and rude to each other. No more coffees at a nice cafe no sitting at the beach or laying on the sand. No going to the movies or enjoying a birthday party for the grandkids. This is slowly destroying many people way more than the virus ever will... it’s so sad 😞

I can totally understand what you’re saying and it’s upsetting me too. I miss the lovely things I used to enjoy and it’s so very sad it’s all been removed. They say it’s for now but how long is this going to continue? I follow the ‘rules’ and try to be considerate of others but am concerned this is how life will be from now on. People can say oh it’s just temporary but no one really knows.. I sympathise with you and I understand ❤️

Try to be patient people , it hasn't been very long but we're already seeing very positive signs. No one knows or can say as yet but l'm thinking going on some other countries and signs we're seeing now here , it has to be at least another mth or two yet but if things keep improving l think they'll start opening things up again gradually from there .

Just a few mths out of a lifetime , it's not that long , it'll pass and life will be back .Hang in there.

Hi everyone,

I read through some of these posts and noticed there are some real concerns out there,

with saying that there are also posts that are very inspirational posts which we all benefit from

keep them coming

Thanks

Hi Forrest_123,

If you haven't already, we'd recommend checking out and/or contacting our Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service here: https://coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au/?utm_campaign=hp_banner or on 1800 512 348.

DaffodilDarling, welcome to this forum and thanks for posting.

am sorry you are in a vicious cycle of stress and anxiety and worry about covid-19.

f you read some of the posts on this thread you may get ideas of how others cope.

if you have not checked out Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service here: https://coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au/?utm_campaign=hp_banner or on 1800 512 348.

This service is specially for your concerns.

Keep osting here if you want to as you are not alone and there is support here.

Jo maree....thank you for understanding even a bit, where I am coming from.

If it were, as some say, "only temporary, just a few weeks out of a lifetime" etc....but the messages we've been getting right from the start (and still today from our state Premier) have been "this will last a long long time, we are in for the long haul, we are expecting it to peak again, we have to get used to a whole new way of life, we will never go back to normal"....when you have your "leader" repeating this over and over....(and the messages differ from state to state and different again from our PM) ....you gradually lose all hope.

Hello Moonstruck,

You mentioned earlier that: I don't believe anything I was doing, or going, or walking, or sitting at..."pre Corona" was thoughtless, rude, or selfish anyway....so why the constant reminder that "life will never be the same, we will have to be "different" somehow." How exactly, do you want me to change?..

A lot of times, this reminder serves more as a comforting thought rather than a real instruction for people to change. We hear inspiring stories these days of people helping one another out with grocery shopping, checking up on people living alone and so on. These are beautiful gestures that we don't hear enough of pre-Corona. I guess people (including me!) just want to hear more comforting stories about the beauty of our society rather than the constant negativity we're bombarded with in the news pre-Corona.

Take care,
Emmen

Hi Summer Rose,

I agree with you, and accept all other opinions.

Our leaders had to choose a course of action and the one they took the best ones they knew how with the current data and information available.

We are in the AE (Adaptability Intelligence) age, with today's uncertain's being a way to see how we can adapt in these uncertain times.

Does anyone else agree that this is a test to see if we are ready for the AE (Adaptability Intelligence) age?

From my heart to yours,

Doz

HI Everyone,

There are so many comments here about all aspects of life being affected by the corona-virus, the repercussions, the good, the bad and the down right undesirable effects we are all aware of.

In hindsight we may all be able to come up with strategies that should have been put in place.

There are moments when I am coping okay and other times when I want to cry for the whole world.

It is important for me to try and make the most of each day. Do I want to come out the other end of this situation bitter, angry, frustrated and blaming everyone, or do I want to be able to acknowledge I did the best I could with how I was feeling and coping.

Today I am feeling sad for the earth and lonely. I have been doing housework, phoned a couple of friends and now I am here on this forum.

I acknowledge lock down is difficult, I understand people's mental health is being affected, I am also aware I can do something about how I am feeling.

Hoping you all have strength to get through today and to be able to make plans for how you will cope with tomorrow and what you could do differently to make it a good day.

Cheers all from Dools

Hi all

These last two days I have felt so so down and alone.
I'm really struggling.
I reached out to people to support them, but I feel they don't care at all about me and how i'm doing, and i have just recently come out of hospital for suicidality.
I feel so broken.
I'm more hurt by how callous people are. Not a good time to be vulnerable.
I hope I will go to nature now to get back some equilibrium.
Luckily, its a pretty glorious day here.

Just my thoughts but of course it's not going to be a few wks but going on even the latest out today so far , personally l believe we may see things at least begin to lighten up a bit in about a mth from now in Vic , if things keep improving at the rate they are. lt won't be normal that'll be a way off yet for sure unless a vaccine shows up , but begin to lighten l think.Other states will need to do whatever suits their sitch .

This makes me feel so sad for you Sleepy21. I have depression (and on meds of course) and finding it really difficult too. So I send you big warm comforting hugs 🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗 and some for anyone else who needs them 🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗

I have also reached out to people, but hardly any reach back to me so I understand that feeling. I try to console myself by thinking that they mean well, but maybe they aren’t coping so well with their own isolation for what could be a whole lot of reasons, and they don’t want to add to your stress with their problems. Unless they tell you why they don’t contact you maybe it’s best to give them the benefit of your doubt, and not make negative assumptions that only upset you.

Hugs Sleepy 🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗

Cala

Sleepy21 said:

Hi all

These last two days I have felt so so down and alone.
I'm really struggling.
I reached out to people to support them, but I feel they don't care at all about me and how i'm doing, and i have just recently come out of hospital for suicidality.
I feel so broken.
I'm more hurt by how callous people are. Not a good time to be vulnerable.
I hope I will go to nature now to get back some equilibrium.
Luckily, its a pretty glorious day here.

I,m 72 and share my unit ( housing trust) with another pensioner, he's out visiting friends and and making unnecessary trips every day. I've told him that he must move out or change his behaviour as it's very selfish of him ( imo)..this disease worries me me and I stay home unless it's a needed trip to shops for milk etc ( given up on tp) but I feel that he's putting me at risk, am I being ,as he says, paranoid

Sleepy21 I forgot to say that I have also reached out to people, but hardly any reach back to me so I understand that feeling. I try to console myself by thinking that they mean well, but maybe they aren’t coping so well with their own isolation for what could be a whole lot of reasons, and they don’t want to add to your stress with their problems. Unless they tell you why they don’t contact you maybe it’s best to give them the benefit of your doubt, and not make negative assumptions that only upset you.

Hugs Sleepy 🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗

Sleepy21 said:

Hi all

These last two days I have felt so so down and alone.
I'm really struggling.
I reached out to people to support them, but I feel they don't care at all about me and how i'm doing, and i have just recently come out of hospital for suicidality.
I feel so broken.
I'm more hurt by how callous people are. Not a good time to be vulnerable.
I hope I will go to nature now to get back some equilibrium.
Luckily, its a pretty glorious day here.

mitz,

Welcome to the forums and thanks for sharing a bit about what's going on with you– that sounds like such a frustrating situation!!! Just know that you are doing the right thing not only for yourself but for others. I don't think history will look kindly on people who behaved like your housemate. I'm in a similar position with my own housemate who I have caught going out unnecessarily and hanging out with friends, so I totally feel your pain.

I think you are more than right to tell him that you feel his behavior is selfish and putting you at risk. Sharing a house together means you have a mutual responsibility to the person you live with I think.

Stay safe,
Gems

Hello Mitz
Welcome and great to have you on the forums too!
I would be just as concerned as you are with having a housemate that is doing the wrong thing

You are spot on with your opinion. I wouldn't be happy either in your situation

My kind thoughts....Paul

Difficult to cope with misunderstandings of some. However, I find coping by exercising when possible & cuddling my new kittens 🐱

People seem to have lost the ability to listen, or care - & understanding fight or flight, I find myself empathising even when there is no understanding coming from the other person. Then, I try to let it all go after the fact.

hard, but it works!

stay clear & strong everyone

X

Sleepytime,

You are valued here on the forum and you give so much of time to others here.

I am sorry you are struggling, It is an awful feeling. I have had a few bad days recently too.

I hope you can find time to be as kind to yourself as you are to others.

Ring the BB support line if you need to.

I have had beyond blue supports previously due to anxiety. Which was face to face. Our family are crumbling. My daughters partner left town and due to small business pressures. The family have moved home with two toddlers in a tiny 3 bedroom. We are all scared. For more reasons then one. My daughter and partner are essential workers. I am scared for their safety and i am the prime carer and shopper when they are at work. I protect the kids age 3 & 5 as much as i can. I cannot go shopping without 5 year old during school holidays. Soon i.may need to support her in home schooling. My partner is not a emotional support.💜