As the national 21-day lockdown continues, the GCN spoke to Craig Palmer, counselling psychologist at Life Roseacres Hospital, about how to stay sane during lockdown.
ALSO READ: Covid-19: Makause residents taught about Covid-19
Here are some of his top tips:
• Create, implement and maintain some sort of structure and routine for yourself, your family and household.
• Be informed and keep up to date with news of what’s going on, but don’t become obsessed with it.
• Get some exercise and keep physically active, remembering that ‘the less you do, the less you will want to do’.
• Eat healthy and nutritious foods as much as possible, it will help you feel better and also boost your immune system.
• Take a multivitamin and get enough nutrients.
• Get enough sleep.
• Avoid mood-altering drugs/substances such as alcohol and others that can affect your mood/stress levels.
• Communicate with those with whom you live, taking time to share with each other, and to listen.
• Communicate with loved ones (friends and family) outside of your household either via calling, texting or video calling (i.e. maintain that contact).
• Now that you have the time, get to those things in the home or garden that you’ve been putting off because things have been so busy.
• Practise self-care.
• If you are spiritual or religious in any way, get back to that, put time and put energy into that.
• Take up a new hobby or interest, or start doing a previously enjoyed hobby again.
ALSO READ: Covid-19: Roseacres shares Covid-19 plans
“I think it is important to remember that we are all going through this together, not only as a community or country, but throughout the world.
“In other words, none of us are alone in this,” said Palmer.
* Notice: Coronavirus reporting at Caxton Local Media aims to combat fake news
Dear reader,
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 “fake news”) 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.
Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za).
Have a story?
Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor) germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za, Leigh Hodgson (News Editor) leighh@caxton.co.za or Busi Vilakazi (Journalist) busiv@caxton.co.za.
Also follow us on: