The little lockdown tricks and tips to stay connected and keep smiling as we adjust to new world
IT’S a challenge getting through the coronavirus pandemic and the various stages of lockdown. But some of us are making a better fist of it than others.
Here’s a few positive snippets on how to get through it all . . .
Stacey Harries, over at the Hospital Notes Choir in the Hywel Dda Health Board area, tells me the choir committee has come up with a novel idea to keep ‘team spirit’ alive. She said: “The committee had this huge wooden jigsaw made. They got the script for ‘Hospital Notes’ written on it and then they delivered little pieces of the jigsaw to every
member. So, when they get back together, they can put the jigsaw back together. It’s very symbolic and it says ‘stick with
us, there will be a time when we will be back together’.” ■ Stay connected. As part of my daily routine I scroll
through my contacts on my phone until I find someone I haven’t talked to in a while. Then, I ring them, or Face
Time them. Result? I feel better; they feel better (usually!).
Remember your Face Mask - and remember your phone’s PIN. The flip side of Applepay is that your phone demands your Face ID. Tip of the day is that it doesn’t work when you’ve got a mask on. So, save on those embarrassing moments when everyone at the till is waiting on YOU to pay by keeping PIN numbers front of mind.
Set yourself tasks - walk 10,000 steps a day (if your lockdown patch allows!), read a book a week, or experiment by listening to ‘new’ music - ie something that isn’t already in your vinyl/cd/digital (delete as appropriate) collection.
Finally, Stay ‘Karma’ and Carry On . . . and don’t forget to smile. I tried (and failed) to sidestep the beaming Hare Krishna guy in the market last week. I had my Face Mask on and he locked into eye contact mode with laser precision. “You’re a nice guy,” he said. “I can tell you’re a musician.” How did you work that out? I asked. “It’s all in the smile,” he replied. “But I’m wearing a mask!” I countered. “Ah, but it’s all in the eyes,” he said. I couldn’t help but smile; he was blissfully unaware that I play the banjo in much the same way as I write . . . without any real notes!