What can we do to take care of not just our physical but mental health whilst coping with the possible psychological effects that the Corona Virus Pandemic may cause due to social distancing and self isolation?
There are many issues that could affect us such as loneliness, boredom, physical inactivity and fear. If we are stuck at home (hopefully it's possible for most of us to get out for a walk) then the number of hours in a day may seem to have doubled. We all need to avoid just sitting watching the TV New Bulletins all day long as that can add to anxiety and low moods.
Many of us already have hobbies which we can fully embrace with extra time on our hands. I recently took an 8 week Creative Art Course and revisited the craft of linocutting which after purchasing all the essentials, I am looking forward to playing with over the next few months. I have my passion for calligraphy to indulge and lose myself in and of course painting! I have only really painted in watercolour but on the same Creative Art Course I tried out acrylic paints and now want to explore that medium.
I also attempted a mixed media collage and that was interesting too!
If you watched the Andrew Marr Show yesterday morning, you may have seen Stephen Fry talking about tips for managing anxiety https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-51995797/coronavirus-stephen-fry-s-take-on-managing-anxiety# It's worth a watch if you didn't and you think it may help yourself or someone else. He also mentions that he has picked up his calligraphy pens again and watches Calligraphy videos on Youtube to improve his own calligraphy which is of course a great idea! Youtube has many creative people putting out videos on lots of art and craft related subjects. I often refer to it myself for inspiration or to pick up a different techniques.
This morning in my car I was listening to a local radio station and they interviewed the ladies who run this online art club https://mindfulartclub.co.uk/ and so I took a look when I got home and you may like to check it out. Facebook is a great place to join all sorts of art and craft groups that share knowledge and where you can show your own endeavours to others! Feedback and community is really uplifting when it we feel isolated from social contact.
More and more organisations are transferring their activities to on line and offering different resources even down to these kind of innovations https://www.roh.org.uk/news/the-royal-opera-house-launches-a-programme-of-free-online-content-for-the-culturally-curious-at-home Even theatre is available https://www.digitaltheatre.com/ but there is a subscription fee for that one.
This is a really good website for online learning which I have frequently used and much of it is free for a period of time https://www.futurelearn.com/courses and another one is https://www.udemy.com/courses/search/?q=art&src=sac&kw=art courses set at around £19.99 up to £199.99 but they often have special limited time offers if you sign up for their newsletter you will know when something is at a special price.
I guess the secret to survival here is to take the enforced time at home to do something productive, creative, read, learn and stay mentally energised. Also, hopefully spending time out in the garden and in nature being mindful. We will get through this and come out the other side with new skills at the end of the crisis, a renewed optimism about life as well as a new approach to living!
Hope you've found this blog post useful. I'd love to hear from you ........
