Hi everyone...

That is such good news..Matchy..I’m so happy for you...Probably would have to be negative test results..or else you would be still in isolation for the 14 days...

Grandy..

Thanks Harry that’s really nice of you.

I wanted to update here as I’m finding this an outlet where I can actually be honest about how I’m feeling.

I feel like I’m absolutely crumbling mentally. As someone with perfectionism, anxiety and depression anyway, I guess I feel like I’m not handling this situation as well as my peers/colleagues at least appear to be. I find I’m doubting myself in every aspect of what I’m doing, feeling incompetent, and freaking myself out about infection control, and the endless amount of worry thoughts is burning me to the ground and I’m becoming severely depressed. I cry in the bathroom at least once a day.

I called in sick today, due to my mental health. I got a bunch of messages, but not the supportive kind more just it feels like pressure about turning up tomorrow. The thoughts are just spiraling. I tried talking to my supervisors and my uni teachers, but was pretty disappointed with their lack of interest or support. I feel like I’m just a number in a big sea of others who are all tackling this giant issue we all face and in the scheme of things I’m just invisible. I just feel like I’m getting lost and nobody is able to see what I’m going through. This virus is a big issue and it’s overshadowing mental health

Hi Matchy,

If the person had tested positive for the coronavirus they would have kept you in quarantine. So you should be fine.

The person shouldn't have turned up at the surgery - if you get ill with flu like symptoms, fever, cough etc you are meant to telephone the surgery, not go in, and follow whatever advice they give you over the phone - which will probably be to go to a fever clinic/emergency department at a hospital, not a GP surgery.

Glad you're released!!!

Bellana

Welcome to the forum.
I am glad you are finding thread so informative.

I too have issues with sleep but I am lucky to get 3hrs of restless sleep and I am always tired.

I don't have many answers. If you put sleep problemsthe search bar at right hand top of page you will find some helpful threads.

I think the usual advice of being calm and applying sleep hygiene can help.

would try not watching or listening to anything about corona before you go to bed.

Once again welcome to the forum.

Hi Everyone,

There are so many different posts here. It is wonderful we have this space to share how we are feeling openly, to notify others of beneficial things to do at this time, how to survive, how to cope if you are not doing so well and just generally acknowledging and validating how each other feels.

Life is certainly different at the moment. A few things I've noticed besides the lack of toilet paper rolls in the supermarket:

- people are adaptable, just look at the sport still being played in spectator less stadiums

- I like the impromptu sing-alongs in Italy and Spain (for example) that are on the computer

- some of the songs people are putting together (to popular tunes) about the virus are so clever

- I believe people are wanting to be in contact more so will find ways to do so

- I'm appreciating the fact we live in the country, I can go for a walk and not see anyone outside of a car

- if we need to isolate, the internet has so many things we can look at and interact with

- I'm hoping to find time for crafts and reading books

I also realise people are struggling in so many ways. I don't know how much longer I will have employment, yes it concerns and scares me. I know my mental health issues don't take much to be triggered. I tried to make an appointment to see my Dr two weeks ago and was told his first free appointment was the end of October!

This virus sucks. For now I am trying to find ways to accept what is going on and find ways to move on.

Cheers from Dools

I hear you - I didn’t think thisCOVID thing would affect me but my anxiety levels are the highest they have been, especially at the thought of going shopping. I’d rather starve than go the a supermarket. My anger- omg - I’m normally a nice person but lately I’ve been nasty.

Im angry with myself for feeling this way - I always believe there is good in everyone - but I haven’t seen any good in anyone.

Hi all,

First time poster here. I have a history of anxiety and I'm really struggling with the current situation. I'm not worried about catching the virus. I am a little worried about myself or my 4 year old having the virus without symptoms and passing it on to my parents but we are keeping our distance for the time being.

My biggest stress at the moment is that my husband and I own a gymnastics club with approximately 1000 children per week attending our centre which currently remains open. We are following all guidelines set by the government and our governing sporting organisations and I am confident our centre is safer and cleaner than any school or shopping centre (which are all still operational). We have 25 staff relying on us to get through the next couple of months and keeping them in a job. Our attendance by our customers has been surprisingly good this week - 80-90% of our kids have come to classes. But our enrolments for the next school term are currently at around 40 - out of 980!

I don't know what I want to achieve from this post - maybe any advice on how deal with this constant stress and anxiety? dealing with the responsibility of 25 staff's livelihood relying on our actions? the devastation of having worked so hard for 3 years to build this club, put everything on the line, have done nothing wrong (we have a fantastic reputation in our community) and still we're at significant risk of losing it all - and have no control over it? Parents are scared to enrol their kids for next term because of the panic associated with the situation, and nothing we say is going to change their minds... but without their enrolments, we won't be there for them to come back to when this has all calmed down.

Thank you in advance for your help :)

Smidge welcome to the forum and well done for making your first post.

It must be so hard for self employed people like you in these uncertain times. The long term effects of the virus and the bushfires on businesses both big and small will be far reaching.

I can understand that having the responsibility of employing 25 people with the current uncertainty would cause stress and anxiety.

I suppose no one knows what the future will be but you can try to look after your own health now. Have you spoken to your doctor.

MY business and home were destroyed in the fires, I did nothing wrong, but it happened. Sometimes we can't makes sense of things but we have to learn to cope with the circumstances. It is unfair and it is hard but we will get through this.

I feel your pain and I hope parents will reenrol their children .

Feel free to come here and read and post. You are not alone and there is support for you.

Thanks for your honesty and I wish I had advice to give you.

Quirky

Hi Matchy, yes I know there's a shortage of testing kits & we have busloads of people here coming from the city to raid the supermarket stores here so there's almost nothing on the store shelves, it's disgusting behaviour.

I think you'll be fine, the surgery is just following up and making sure you know what to do. In this changeable weather (going from cold to hot and back to cold) people are catching colds and also get the sneezes with hayfever etc - if it had definitely been the coronavirus they'd have let you know for sure! If you start to feel worse and develop a fever then phone up the doctors practice and ask them what to do, but I think you are fine. Best wishes! I guess any of us could be quarantined any time if we run into someone who has flu like symptoms. These are strange times indeed! cheers, keep in touch on the café etc

I don’t know if this is helpful to anyone but if you’re in a position where inability to buy hand sanitizers and masks anywhere is making you anxious (it was for me!) I’ve discovered how easy it is to make yourself. There are simple DIY recipes online. I made some hand sanitiser just with ethanol from my chemist and aloe Vera gel. Just 2 ingredients :) Saved me a whole lot of anxiety.

I also went to a craft store (for other reasons) and a woman was showing people how they could make their own masks. Just elastic and some fabric pads. Very easy. It’s helped me feel a lot better.

If the large supermarkets are giving anxiety, could try the small international supermarkets- the 3 near me were completely stocked with frozen and fresh foods. It’s an opportunity to contribute to small local business too :)

And unless we have to self-isolate, there is no reason to stop going outside and enjoying nature or catching up with a friend. Sit in the park, go for a bushwalk, go to the beach, have a picnic, go for a scenic drive. We just have to avoid crowds :)

I hope today and this weekend is a bit better for everyone

Another restless night as I paced in the dark in the middle of the night and tried to nap whenever I felt tired. I will try to do another meditation session today to continue to see if I match and break the number of consecutive days I am doing daily meditation.

I feel very isolated and alone, even though I know we're all in this together, and I am not sure when my anxiety will pass, but I am trying my best to be kind to all and to myself so that I don't judge myself too harshly for not being able to sleep. I worry daily about my family and loved ones, when I look back and the triggers it is not surprising, with all this anxiety one can get physically worn out as well. Have been self-isolating for five days now, and go out only in the evening for one walk around the block making sure to do the social distancing thing. I never thought I would miss physical contact, never being much of a hugger, but now yes I see how very comforting physical contact is. I want to give my family the biggest of hugs, but right now, with my sinuses playing up, I'm settling for good conversation and washing my hands frequently and thoroughly and telling myself I can give them all my love with my words and with my actions of helping them out wherever I can and trying to not relay my anxiousness onto them. My concentration at work has been a challenge, and I will continue to balance hard work with good mental and physical health. Wishing everyone a better day than yesterday, may we find strength in ourselves and each other, and find calm and safety in our lives

Hi all,

Been keeping up with the posts from the kindness pandemic facebook group - thats helping keeping my spirits high through this.

My taekwondo class and poker games has shut down for the time being. Annoying because the help keep me grounded and focused, but I think to myself - thats ok! this will pass and they will start back up again. I'll just have to find other things to do in the meantime.

One thing im doing is baking! - when i can find supplies haha.

I hope everyone has having an ok day today!

Humanity at its best mark!

i love hearing stories like these.

I agree there is definitely kind humans out there. We just have to really see them.

Sometimes it is a challenge when we are struggling ourselves to notice it. But believe me they are there.

You can see kindness in:

... A big brother giving a hug to his little sister

...a person giving a gentle pat to their dog

... a person giving up there seat for someone else

... When someone genuinely smiles at someone else

... taking a meal to someone who is shut in

... Forgiving yourself for something maybe a mistake is kindness to yourself (I am working on this one)

.... Letting someone else take the car park space

....Sharing the last punnet of grapes with your hubby when really you just want to eat them all yourself ( ah...me)

....

I have a heap of Tangelos and lemons on my tree i am going to hand them out in bags when they are ready.