Are you feeling stressed right now? Worried about Covid-19, worrying about family members and friends that are key workers? Worrying for your elderly parents and relatives? Yes, me too.
There has already been loss within my circles. I am sad for friends who are struggling, I miss seeing my mum, I miss seeing my friends and doing all those little things we took for-granted. This week is our school Easter holiday, and I was planning to take my children to stay with their Nan for a few days, giving me some precious alone time. That won’t happen for the foreseeable future. I am home alone with my children, and of course I am very grateful that they are happy and healthy. But they still cause me stress. They refuse to do the allocated schoolwork we are advised to do. They refuse to obey simple requests. They won’t be quiet! And there’s the dog, who barks every time somebody walks past our house. We live on a busy road and there is a local pharmacy, post office and convenience store just a few hundred yards away. Despite the lockdown, there are more people walking past our house to visit these shops, and more people parking on the road outside our house for the same reason. Our dog insists on barking at all of them, to the point where I must shut him in the kitchen with me to keep him quiet. My workspace is now our kitchen breakfast bar.
This all sounds very trivial. What have I got to complain about? I am safe at home with my children, we have food and supplies, we are healthy, and we have a large garden in which to get fresh air and exercise. But that doesn’t mean I can’t feel stressed and upset about the situation. I cannot sit and meditate like I used to because I am not alone anymore. My children need lots of reassurance that everything will be OK. They miss their friends, their school and all the activities that we should have been doing. How do I manage their stress levels? I try to show them how to meditate, and we practice deep breathing exercises. But I find that the best response is usually to sit quietly on the sofa or in bed and cuddle then while they watch a favourite movie or TV program. We find comfort in the familiar. I play a favourite game on my device and that calms me down when I feel stressed. There is nothing that I need to be doing right now, other than staying home to keep me and my children safe. We will all get through this.
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I am very sorry about your loss 😢 However I have to say, I am not any stressed or worried 👍 I believe in the Power of Positivity 💖 And not think about the situation all the time. Maybe because I am very busy all the time. Have a lovely day anyway 🌸 🌸 🌸
Thank you. My mood has been up and down, but my stress mainly comes from motherhood! 😅
Oh, that’s kind of happy to hear 😉 The virus -situation is stressing, if you think about it all the time. 👍
“Comfort in the familiar” wise words and great idea! I think that focusing on what’s familiar and cozy at home can hopefully help people get through this.
Thank you, yes it seems the best solution for now.
Have a de-stress dance off! Each family members chooses their fav song…
We did that last-night and it worked wonders! 😁
Hello Catherine, Richard Mountford here, just exploring your webpage, thanks for the update on your home life x
Yes gardening helps me, hopefully the kids and Dan are well?!
Hope this txt finds you in good health x
Thanks again for the information
Good luck with books
Richard
Hi Richard! Thanks for visiting my blog. Yes, we are all healthy and I’m trying to get the girls helping in the garden as well.