ZOE SALMON: ‘Getting through a long to-do list helps me mentally’
The 40-year-old, is locked down “alone-ish” in Co Down as husband Will Corrie is a key worker. She has been taking part in the ads from the Northern Ireland Executive urging people to join the #Stayathomeheroes effort. She says:
“Before this heartbreaking pandemic, I’d have done five intense exercise sessions a week, mainly weights-based but with HIIT too. The pandemic has taught me to give my body a rest and so I am enjoying the calm before returning to my exercising storm.
Our health is our wealth and for me nothing is more important. My food lifestyle has remained the same. I look forward to a takeaway night and, like many, I have a sweet tooth so I still enjoy Ben & Jerry’s icecream on the sofa at weekends with a snack bowl of my favourite sweets and chocolates.
I drop food off on my dad’s doorstep and I am able to see him from a distance as I stand in the front garden. Other than that I do not leave the house, so I only see my dad (75) and my husband. I work from home and am fortunate to have food supplies from my husband’s business. Corries Home Delivery service has been busy giving away food parcels to those in need in our community and I’m extremely proud of Will and his team. We all need to be able to look back on this time and be proud of what we did to help others. I wake up every day grateful and humbled by the work of our key workers, our heroes. Mentally, the only times I have struggled is when people have flouted the rules. It breaks my heart and brings me to tears to see that not everyone is in this together but yet we need to have unity for lives to be saved.
I also am enjoying finally getting through a long and varied to-do list. It really helps me mentally to tick boxes and get things done so I am relieved and happy about little things like that. Between the list, and helping with a number or campaigns locally and nationally, and staying connected remotely with friends and family, I am proud to be following the Government rules and am extremely grateful to our key workers — thank you! Sending positive wishes to everyone to stay safe and healthy. Let’s all get through this together.”
Corries Farm Butchers has been delivering free meat packages to local heroes and vulnerable people nominated by people in their community. It is also offering a delivery service, primarily for those in vulnerable groups, self-isolating or key workers who can’t get to the shop during opening hours and has introduced children’s news bulletins on its Facebook page on Feedback Fridays