Covid-19's Impact on YOUR well being....Help us help others!

[blondguy]

Hi Everyone

This is a difficult and unprecedented time we are all going through. Out of 10 how has Covid-19 impacted your well being?

Just for myself...I come in at about 8....A brief post will help us help others more effectively!

• 0 to 5 .......... Low impact...................Coping well and not really worried about Covid-19
• 5 to 7 ...........Medium Impact.............Concerned about Covid-19 yet is doesnt effect me
• 8 ................. Frequent Impact........... Very concerned and checking media/news reports
• 9 ................. High Impact..................Frequently concerned and experience some difficulty functioning daily
• 10................Very High Impact...........Difficulty sleeping...increased anxiety...loss of concentration and/or feelings of helplessness

The forums are a rock solid safe and non judgemental place for anyone to post 🙂

my kind thoughts always

Paul

[golden82]

Hi tranzcrybe,

Thanks for your recent posts sharing your views. However i disagree and do not find it helpful to diminish others struggles with the current unprecedented, and i believe unnecessary lockdowns. A lockdown is just as it reads .. a lockdown. And euphemisms do not change the very real struggles people are experiencing. I am not in Victoria but have found the reactions in restrictions very hard including for my mental health. As i know many others have too. I can only imagine what Victorians who are struggling are going through. And my heart goes out to them. Whilst i suspect your posts are meant well to be positive for people, i feel acknowledging what it is for what it is ie a lockdown is better for some of us than rainbows and butterflies and euphemisms that only dismiss our very real feelings and difficulties at this time. Please consider this thanks. I am permanently at a 10. Thinking of you and your husband Elizabeth- just keep taking it one day at a time and getting support on here. Best wishes to all.

[ecomama]

Dear Elizabeth CP

Remember you can call the helplines. I wish I could help you.

Please keep posting here and keeping us updated if you have the energy.

Sending all wishes of warmth, love and compassion for your circumstances now and always.

Love EM

[ecomama]

Hi tranzcrybe

I love that you pulled that apart for us to contemplate. Thankyou so much for your contributions and a belated WARM welcome to the BB forums!

I also believe the way we speak affects us, so I really appreciate what you went to the trouble of doing for the members reading here.

We have many threads in the staying well section and I hope you can pop in over to those also and enjoy much positivity too.

I'm certain that your intent was pure. Stay well!

EM

[quirkywords]

Elizabeth,

of course what you are experiencing is justifiable.

You had so much to cope with before COVID and now it

is worse fir you. You are one of the strongest people I know . You will have bad days .

You are so honest in your posts and have so much compassion for others.
Please keep posting here if it helps you. There is support for you here.
Quirky

[blondguy]

Hi Everyone...and thankyou for being a part of the discussion too!

Hey Geoff....Thankyou for helping out with Quirky's question re using a number to express our feelings with this pandemic/thread topic

Geoff mentioned 'People maybe afraid to express their level of pain by words and believe that strong emotions should be suppressed by the fear of guilt, whereas a number says it all...Nice1 and appreciate the clarity

Hey ElizabethCP....Its always great to have your valued input. I feel your pain re this hard time we are going through....Its hard work. Thankyou for being upfront with saying you are a 10. Just sharing with you...I have been having a weekly phone call with my GP which has been helpful as I have needed to 'talk' Can I ask if you have access to your doc (by phone) in these difficult times and if you think it would be helpful to you?

Hey tranzcrybe....Thankyou for your helpful post! The term 'Lockdown' can be diffused as you mentioned to help people that find it restricting for sure. Where 'Social Distancing' is concerned I prefer the Canadian Health authority's term of 'Physical Distancing'.....It just works me I guess...Great to have you on the forums!

Im a 9 today

Coffee time...

[Elizabeth CP]

Sorry I tried to reply yesterday but lost it before posting & then didn't have time to repost. I'm having to limit my time on here otherwise I get worse as I have so many competing demands. I am speaking to a councellor most weeks which I really need but my mood seems to be all over the place so I still don't cope between sessions.

I really appreciate the thoughtful replies from each of you. I know most of you are really doing it tough so I appreciate your support. Today was a bit better but busy with multiple appointments on line for husband. e discussed what we can get the support workers to do fitting in with the very tight restrictions & his speech theraist will be speaking to both of them next time they come to teach them what they need to do to help my husband. Hopefully this will mean it is recorded what we are doing & why just in case they need evidence to explain why they are essential.

The term lockdown just refers to the restrictions we are under so the term doesn't affect me. I agree with Paul re Social distancing. I think in the current climate Social participation or support is essential while physical distancing is needed.

I have started a weekly family catch up using email since we can't get together & online calls don't work for us. My kids seem to appreciate them. Last week was the first week & not everyone participated but this week they all sent emails with comments from every family member (except the baby who can't talk) & photos of what they have been doing. It was nice to hear my son In UK saying how good it was. He prints the photos for his kids to see & reads all the comments out to his children. I love the simple honesty of children. Mister 6 mentioned getting stuck in the mud on his mountain bike & how he loves his baby brother. Mister 8 climbed the biggest rock in the world. I miss being with them but reading comments like those helps to feel connected.

[blondguy]

Hey Golden82

Thankyou for your understanding and supportive post and helping others by mentioning you are a '10'. You made a good point about a lockdown being a lockdown yet tranzcrybe has made a good point. Kudos to you for providing your heartfelt support to ElizabethCP too... Nice1 Golden82!

Hey EM...thankyou for providing your kind support to ElizabethCP and tranzcrybe...Happy Birthday! 🎁

Hey Quirky....always a bonus to have your input...You asked me 'What is there that helps lessen your number'? I understand that seeking help is not for everyone...some choose to bottle up their emotions ..I just dont think its a healthy consideration where our well being is concerned.

* counselling...occasionally
* weekly phone chat to my GP for support during Covid-19
* using calm and genuine 'acceptance' as per the problem we have

Have a really good week everyone. Paul

Im a 9 today

[blondguy]

Hey Elizabeth.....just a thankyou note...

I have also reduced my time on the forums with various issues Im going through too...I understand. There is never any expectation for anyone to provide a response on the forums as you know....Our health comes first over the forums always

The 'weekly family catch up' using email is a fantastic idea Elizabeth...Have a great week!

Be gentle to yourself please....Paul

[ecomama]

Thankyou for keeping in touch here Paul even though things are tougher there than "usual"... what does usual mean anymore. Thankyou also for the birthday wishes. 🤗

It's certainly a "different" living experience for everyone atm.

I'm doing better, maybe a 3? I think.

I wanted to ask how everyone is going with accessing their "usual" (sorry can't think of another term) support? meaning any thing.

I've found it nearly impossible to access a psych for my youngest daughter, maybe a breakthrough today. Hopefully.

I found it essential to my improved wellbeing to NOT watch the news.
I also spend a few moments in the garden each day OR looking through the window at nature.

I love the community feeling here on BB and how so many diverse experiences and therapies and healings can be shared.

Thankyou everyone
EM

[geoff]

Hi Paul and to those also finding it difficult to be on the forums due to these unprecedented conditions, that no one had ever expected, unfortunately, the follow through and not necessarily an after thought, is that it produces and exemplifies an issue that has now become large in different ways to yourself.

There will be a different perspective on how people feel once COVID-19 has been controlled (hopefully) or a vaccine has been produced and will alter how we function, scared of any new illness appearing.

This is going to affect how you feel on top of any type of depression you may have, I'm sorry.

Your health and strength is paramount not only for yourself but to those who you have been supporting over these most difficult months.

Take time off if you need to and please stay safe.

Geoff.