These are the words of counselling psychologist at Life Roseacres Hospital Craig Palmer who spoke to the GCN about how to stay focused and positive during the lockdown.<\/p>\n
The first aspect Palmer touched on was routine, which he explained can help many feel a sense of control during a very uncertain time.<\/p>
\u201cIn a lockdown, our usual daily structure has been taken away, or at least, significantly altered,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lockdown is also something which is imposed on us and subsequently we can experience a loss of control.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy having a routine during a lockdown period, especially one that we ourselves can create or decide on, brings some control back into our lives.<\/p>\n
\u201cLockdown inherently brings with it a lot of unknown and uncontrollable circumstances and questions which we might not have answers for.<\/p>\n
\u201cBringing control back into our own home can only empower us, as we take back aspects of our lives that we have in our control.<\/p>\n
\u201cA routine can help us realise that we, in fact, do have control over some things and allows us to focus on those things, rather than channelling time and energy into things that are not within our control.\u201d<\/p>\n
ALSO READ:\u00a0Covid-19: Makause residents taught about Covid-19<\/a><\/h4>\nPalmer offered the following tips for maintaining a routine during lockdown:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Try to make your routine or daily goals realistic.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Although routine involves structure, you still need to be flexible.<\/p>\n
\u2022 With routine and setting boundaries, you need to make use of certain times or certain places.<\/p>\n
For example, as a family you could all eat breakfast together at around 8am or an individual can decide to exercise before dinner time.<\/p>\n
In terms of places, an example could be that as a family we all eat breakfast at a specific table in the house or a person might choose to exercise in the bedroom.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we are eating whenever or exercising wherever, then it might become more difficult to maintain the routine because a narrative of anything goes becomes paramount,\u201d said Palmer.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Create and implement routine or structure surrounding the family as a whole (the us), but remember individuals should also have certain aspects of their routine that can be their’s alone (the me).<\/p>\n
Mental health, anxiety and depression are also at the forefront during the lockdown.<\/p>\n
Palmer touched on this and why it could be so easy for a person to slip into depression during a lockdown and how they might avoid it.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur mental health and emotional well-being, including things like depression and anxiety, could be compromised quite easily in lockdown.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith a lack of structure or routine, we might find ourselves in a head space or mindset of anything goes.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis might sound all well and good, almost like a holiday, but if we apply this way of being or living to certain factors, like exercise, sleeping patterns, eating habits or use of substances (like consuming alcohol or smoking cigarettes), we can quickly and easily see how our anxiety can increase and moods can take a dip, especially for an extended period of time,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would encourage people to try their best to get their \u2018ducks in a row\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we don\u2019t get our ducks in a row, we are not giving ourselves a sporting chance when it comes to depression or anxiety.\u201d<\/p>\n
ALSO READ:\u00a0Your blood is still needed by SANBS amid Covid-19 pandemic<\/a><\/h4>\nPalmer used the example of food.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have all heard the phrase \u2018you are what you eat\u2019 and if anything goes when it comes to the foods we are putting into our bodies and we simply eat junk food, it\u2019s only a matter of time before we feel like junk,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Another key aspect to our mental health and emotional well-being, Palmer said, is our social life and interaction with others.<\/p>\n
\u201cGiven that depression involves an aspect of social withdrawal, and the lockdown involves a strict adherence to social distancing, we need to communicate with the world outside of our home as much as we can,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cCall relatives and friends, make video calls, Skype, send messages, etc.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are social beings, even us introverts.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we withdraw completely from others, then we are only adding a key ingredient to the recipe for depression.\u201d<\/p>\n
Palmer noted that as human beings we also need fresh air and sunlight.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we have to be confined to our homes, at least try to not stay indoors the whole time,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSit outside if you can, walk in the garden if you have one, get some fresh air and get some sunlight.\u201d<\/p>\n
Palmer encourages parents not to keep their children in the dark and maintain balance.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can\u2019t keep our children in the dark about everything because they will have questions and are curious,\u201d said Palmer.<\/p>\n
\u201cUltimately, they also have a right to know, as much as we as parents do.\u201d<\/p>\n
Palmer further explained that your child\u2019s age should play a role in how much they should know and how it should be explained.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy not sharing anything or sharing everything with them, we could be creating or feeding the fear or restlessness.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to simply communicate with our children and facilitate for them to be able to communicate with us.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to encourage them to do so in such a way that they feel comfortable to come to us with any questions they have and things to share.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe also need to acknowledge and validate their feelings,\u201d said Palmer.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis will help them feel more secure. Remember, children have up and down days, just as we do.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can\u2019t expect them to be consistent, but allow inconsistencies for ourselves or other adults.\u201d<\/p>\n
Palmer said parents should also accept the fact that if they have a child or children in the house it is going to be a mess, loud and crazy.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut just remember, one day your child or children are going to have their own lives and leave the house and then you will miss the mess, the loudness and the chaos,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cMake the most of this time together.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere will always be time to make more money, but time and precious moments together, you can\u2019t get those back.\u201d<\/p>\n
ALSO READ:\u00a0Watch: Dr Manning, Bertha Gxowa CEO speaks on the hospital\u2019s precautionary measures in place in response to Covid-19<\/a><\/h4>\nPalmer recommended the community stay informed and up to date with Covid-19 and lockdown news, but warned that they must not become obsessed with and consumed by everything going on.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis does not just pertain to television or radio news, but also to social media platforms, such as Facebook or Twitter.<\/p>\n
\u201cTurning off all devices for a day can do wonders for your mindset, heart and soul,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Palmer reminded everyone to take everything one day at a time.<\/p>\n
\u201cMuch like an intense negative feeling like anger, rage or hatred, we need to be mindful of the fact that this too shall pass,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne day, this will all be a memory.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut for now let us just take it one day at a time.<\/p>\n
\u201cLet us spend time together and focus on the things that really matter, taking comfort in the fact that although there is a lot of unknown, there is a God and He is watching over us.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
* Notice: Coronavirus reporting at Caxton Local Media aims to combat fake news<\/strong><\/p>\nDear reader,<\/p>\n
As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as \u201cfake news\u201d) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19.<\/p>\n
Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za<\/a>) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za<\/a>).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Hav<\/strong>e a story?<\/strong><\/p>\nContact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za,<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za\u00a0<\/a><\/strong>or Busi Vilakazi (Journalist)\u00a0busiv@caxton.co.za.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\nAlso follow us on:<\/p>\n
Palmer used the example of food.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have all heard the phrase \u2018you are what you eat\u2019 and if anything goes when it comes to the foods we are putting into our bodies and we simply eat junk food, it\u2019s only a matter of time before we feel like junk,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Another key aspect to our mental health and emotional well-being, Palmer said, is our social life and interaction with others.<\/p>\n
\u201cGiven that depression involves an aspect of social withdrawal, and the lockdown involves a strict adherence to social distancing, we need to communicate with the world outside of our home as much as we can,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cCall relatives and friends, make video calls, Skype, send messages, etc.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are social beings, even us introverts.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we withdraw completely from others, then we are only adding a key ingredient to the recipe for depression.\u201d<\/p>\n
Palmer noted that as human beings we also need fresh air and sunlight.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we have to be confined to our homes, at least try to not stay indoors the whole time,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSit outside if you can, walk in the garden if you have one, get some fresh air and get some sunlight.\u201d<\/p>\n
Palmer encourages parents not to keep their children in the dark and maintain balance.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can\u2019t keep our children in the dark about everything because they will have questions and are curious,\u201d said Palmer.<\/p>\n
\u201cUltimately, they also have a right to know, as much as we as parents do.\u201d<\/p>\n
Palmer further explained that your child\u2019s age should play a role in how much they should know and how it should be explained.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy not sharing anything or sharing everything with them, we could be creating or feeding the fear or restlessness.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to simply communicate with our children and facilitate for them to be able to communicate with us.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to encourage them to do so in such a way that they feel comfortable to come to us with any questions they have and things to share.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe also need to acknowledge and validate their feelings,\u201d said Palmer.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis will help them feel more secure. Remember, children have up and down days, just as we do.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can\u2019t expect them to be consistent, but allow inconsistencies for ourselves or other adults.\u201d<\/p>\n
Palmer said parents should also accept the fact that if they have a child or children in the house it is going to be a mess, loud and crazy.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut just remember, one day your child or children are going to have their own lives and leave the house and then you will miss the mess, the loudness and the chaos,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cMake the most of this time together.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere will always be time to make more money, but time and precious moments together, you can\u2019t get those back.\u201d<\/p>\n
ALSO READ:\u00a0Watch: Dr Manning, Bertha Gxowa CEO speaks on the hospital\u2019s precautionary measures in place in response to Covid-19<\/a><\/h4>\nPalmer recommended the community stay informed and up to date with Covid-19 and lockdown news, but warned that they must not become obsessed with and consumed by everything going on.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis does not just pertain to television or radio news, but also to social media platforms, such as Facebook or Twitter.<\/p>\n
\u201cTurning off all devices for a day can do wonders for your mindset, heart and soul,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Palmer reminded everyone to take everything one day at a time.<\/p>\n
\u201cMuch like an intense negative feeling like anger, rage or hatred, we need to be mindful of the fact that this too shall pass,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne day, this will all be a memory.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut for now let us just take it one day at a time.<\/p>\n
\u201cLet us spend time together and focus on the things that really matter, taking comfort in the fact that although there is a lot of unknown, there is a God and He is watching over us.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
* Notice: Coronavirus reporting at Caxton Local Media aims to combat fake news<\/strong><\/p>\nDear reader,<\/p>\n
As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as \u201cfake news\u201d) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19.<\/p>\n
Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za<\/a>) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za<\/a>).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Hav<\/strong>e a story?<\/strong><\/p>\nContact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za,<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za\u00a0<\/a><\/strong>or Busi Vilakazi (Journalist)\u00a0busiv@caxton.co.za.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\nAlso follow us on:<\/p>\n
Dear reader,<\/p>\n
As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as \u201cfake news\u201d) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19.<\/p>\n
Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za<\/a>) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za<\/a>).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hav<\/strong>e a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za,<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za\u00a0<\/a><\/strong>or Busi Vilakazi (Journalist)\u00a0busiv@caxton.co.za.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Also follow us on:<\/p>\n
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