Just Checking In

[Barb135]

Hello - I'm just checking to see how everyone is doing as far as being able to eat and exercise properly now that most of us are under "stay at home" orders, lockdowns, etc.  

I know some of you may have been laid off from paying jobs, have to stay home from volunteer work, etc and with all the conflicting information we hear in the news, everything added together can end up getting pretty stressful.  

I'm doing okay, personally.  I'm kind of a "stay at home" person anyway and there are a lot of times I "want" to stay home to get projects done, do cleaning, etc when husband would rather go somewhere and do something else.  This is giving me a chance to clear up some cleaning and other projects that I've put on the back burner so it's worked out okay.  

I've also continued to go for my daily walks and because we live on 3 acres, I have plenty of outside work I can do do if I need fresh air or have to get out of the house.  I also have tons of DVDs I can exercise to if I feel the need, so I'm okay.

In case you're getting bored and having a hard time finding things to stay busy with or are in an area in which you aren't allowed to walk outside, etc, there are a lot of exercise videos on YouTube that you can workout to.  It's also helpful to keep your mind/brain busy, so you can download a variety of puzzles, coloring pages (coloring isn't just for the kids) and other types of "brain games".  And don't forget to dig out those books you've packed away in boxes thinking that "some day" you'll get a chance to read them.  

A lot of insurance companies are now allowing telehealth, so if you need medical care, don't be afraid to call you doctor to get help.  With the added stress some people might need psychological services, which can also be completed via telephone, Skype, etc and still be covered if your insurance routinely covers these services.  Again, don't be afraid to ask for whatever help you need - everyone handles this type of stress differently and we all need different types of help.  Don't suffer alone.  

Last, but not least, be sure to wash your hands often, practice the recommended social distancing and follow all the directions of the State and/or Local authorities in your area in regards to staying home, going to work, etc.

We're here to support and help you out in whatever way we can.

~~Stay safe and healthy~~

[AnnieBrooke]

It's "shelter in place" weather right now, grey and gloomy and sometimes raining, so I haven't gone out for walks, and haven't made up for it by going online for exercises either, unfortunately. The only good news is that I've been eating lightly and in a balanced way. (It helps that we ate all the halvah before the guys went to the farm. Not many sweet snacks are left around here!) Not exercising that much at least keeps my appetite down.

Our son is sleeping like he has jet lag, I think he's depressed at not doing much or seeing anyone besides Mom and Dad. This was supposed to be his spring vacation, and we had talked lightly about all kinds of possiblities, from going to stay at the beach (local) even to the idea of flying to San Francisco. All gone now. We clearly need to develop a routine, so everyone gets up and goes to bed at the normal times. It would not be the usual routine for sure, but it would help make things seem more normal just to have a standard pattern for the day.

While we aren't going out much, we are going between the house and the farm, and doing little errands that can be done without interaction with other people, like a trip to the dog-food store where they have curbside pickup. It helps make things seem less boxed in.

My son baked some bread yesterday. Came over to the house and we made the dough and kneaded it, and took it to the farm to rise and to bake it. Made a mess, too. But it was good bread, he reports. :)

My stepsister said her mom and she have been going through old family photos. My stepmom is 90, and we're all amused at how good her memory is of who is in the photos given that she often can't remember if she has had lunch. (I know that is the nature of memory, but it's still cute.)

I still have lots of boxes to unpack and sort from our move in October, but haven't managed to whip up any enthusiasm for doing it. It might be that when I get to my fill of naps on the sofa, I'll get more interested in that. :)

[Barb135]

At least you're not having to shelter in place on bright sunny days, when you really want to get out and do things, though I'm sorry this was to be your son's spring break week.

I'm impressed that your son made bread.  Ironically, my son asked me for my bread recipe last weekend, as well, though he's a lot older than your son and I don't know if he actually got the bread made or not.  :-)

I guess sheltering in place is a good time to go through old family photos.  It's always surprising to realize how well our parents can recognize people from years ago.  I can't always recognize people who have changed over the years, but my dad always could.

I have some things I need to pack into boxes from my closet to get ready to take to donation but haven't been in the mood to get into that either.  

As they say - this, too, shall pass...