Support and positive messages are key, says psychotherapist

They say it takes an average of two months to make an action become a habit – and that’s about how long we have been affected by Covid-19.

It got me thinking about how my behaviour has altered since the lockdown started, and what I have specifically changed.

While I have been running every day for 162 days now, I haven’t been able to go to a gym so I have started doing core and strength exercises five days a week. That’s two more than I used to at the gym and my strength has improved.

As a family, we have all had a night off TV together when we join an online quiz and it’s fair to say the quality conversations that evokes are ones we never usually have.

Eating out once a week has been replaced by a takeaway but that’s a habit we look forward to losing once we can visit our local curry house

– we miss the staff and atmosphere.

Sky TV’s Jeff Stelling and Soccer Saturday were always my choice on a trip to the pub with mates, and that’s a habit

I want to get back into

– although possibly not for the better!

I have been working from home, saving three hours a day in commuting and getting an extra 30 minutes’ kip. I am in no rush to commute again any time soon.

Last summer, at 96kg, I felt I was overweight so trimmed back to 84kg and have maintained that weight throughout the lockdown – although I suspect eating out and trips to the pub may make that harder when restrictions are lifted.

And finally, like many, I have been sucked into social media – and that’s not been so good. There is so much negative commentary which does little to inspire people and makes them worry.

I hope that, like me, you can look at your habits and consider which ones are keepers and which can go as early as possible. By doing that we could all help make the UK a better place.

Until next week,

Kev

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Start by asking yourself if your concern about schools reopening is genuinely shared by your offspring.

Noel says: “Most children are happy-go-lucky by nature and optimistic about life, but they are worried at the moment because their parents are.

“They pick up on what is happening to the important individuals around them.

“Stability is also really important to children, but all of that went out of the window with the pandemic.

“While you can reassure them, you can’t tell them nothing has changed. They have clear evidence because they can’t see their friends or grandparents, or go to school.

“The fear about transmission of the virus is an adult fear. However, this is not the child’s fear. So if they seem worried, ask them why.”

Talk to kids, says Noel

Prepare for schools going back in the same way you’d approach

ACTIVE Running helps Phill the end of the summer holidays. Noel says: “Give your child some positive messages and build up their excitement. “Going back will mean they get to see friends and teachers and do their favourite lessons but there will be a sense of loss that this period at home is ending. “They will have enjoyed time with Mum and Dad, even if you found it exhausting. “Acknowledge that sadness.

Tell them, ‘I am going to miss you too and I love you’.

“Younger ones may show separation anxiety but it’s to be expected. They might be a bit tearful, regress and act out a bit.

“Don’t misinterpret that as something more significant. It is totally normal.”

Going back to school normally brings familiarity and routine, but things will not be as they were. How do you ensure the changes do not scare them or come as a shock? Noel says: “It’s

I had just completed the London Marathon in 2013 when I developed a rigid shoulder that stopped me running for three years.

I tried everything to fix it, and was eventually diagnosed with Parkinson’s the same day I was appointed CEO of a software company.

It was frightening and I worried about the future, but it hasn’t held me back.

Medication has allowed me to keep running, which is important because there is increasing evidence really important to have an open conversation about what will happen each day, like when you first explained about handwashing and social distancing.

“Be honest but keep fears manageable and explained in a context they would understand for their age, balanced with real world advice and solutions.

“For example, we know there are nasty germs out there that you can’t see but you can stop them by washing your hands.

“Tell them, ‘These changes are hard and will be hard to stick to, but it is about keeping other people friends a

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Lockdown has led to many new habits... the trick going forward is to keep the good ones

Parents with teac are putt interests

Noel sa petent p manage best. List exercise can slow the disease. I take Levodopa, which helps replenish the dopamine missing in my brain so my arm can move freely.

I also eat healthily, avoid stress where I can, meditate before bed and get plenty of sleep, because Parkinson’s can cause exhaustion.

This is a degenerative condition with no cure but my rate of progression is slow. I put this down to an active lifestyle, a good routine and staying focused.

Phill Robinson, 54, London

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