It’s been six months since China has raised the alarm for the outbreak of the then unnamed deadly lung and respiratory disease with flu-like symptoms.
We now know it as CoVID 19. It has been at least 4 months since the disease travelled to different parts of the globes and been officially declared as a Pandemic.
Like most of the world, it has been at least three months since most of the government authorities all over the world imposed different iterations of lockdowns in order to try and contain the virus, or at least “flatten the curve”, whatever that meant.
Here in Dubai, most of the restrictions have eased up, where citizens and residents alike are now free to roam out and about from 6am to 11pm, and commercial establishments have started their operations back again. For some, companies have also started making their employees report back to work, bearing in mind the 50% occupancy requirement the Authorities have imposed.
Luckily, our company has decided to put the welfare and wellbeing of their employees, continuing with working from home, and i am very grateful for my company for doing this.
I am still isolated from the rest of the world within the confines of my tiny apartment most days, only going out to pick up essentials such as groceries and other living essentials. I have been out to see my doctor for a checkup and to get my prescription refilled.
I have not been to my dentist yet, even though I need to have my jacket/crown re-cemented, mainly because i am too afraid of going out and exposing myself with my mouth wide open for a long period of time.
I also need to go visit my consulate/embassy to have my passport renewed. I am still pushing that back as long as I can to avoid exposure.
However, every time I do get the chance to go out, (which is very, very rare) I try to allocate some time to go sit in a coffee shop or restaurant and people-watch, albeit with all the social distancing protocols in place. This restricted level of human interaction is better for my sanity than no interaction at all. This is one of the pitfalls and blessings of living alone. You get to completely isolate yourself and protect yourself from the virus, but at the same time, cabin fever is a very real concept as I’m very much confined alone in the four walls of my tiny apartment.
So far so good, mostly. It could be better but I’m grateful for the cards that life dealt me. I am safe and secure, with the means to eat three square meals per day (and even more).
Our organization has also made arrangements for our group to have a session with a psychiatrist/psychologist to ensure that we are also able to mentally and emotionally cope with the “new normal” that has been thrust in front of us.
The session has proved to be a valuable one and i learned so much:
- Exercise daily – to avoid depression and anxiety try to incorporate an exercise session to your daily routine. This will encourage the release of endorphins, the happy hormones, and help prevent depression and anxiety.
- Drink Water – Water intake will help avoid the feeling of drowsiness and sluggishness during the day,
- Establish a routine – just like when going to work was the norm, establish and stick to a routine
- Dedicated work space – to avoid distraction, have a corner or section of your place completely dedicated to working.
- Calming Tea – whenever you feel anxious or depressed, try to drink teas with calming effects such as chamomile. Try to avoid caffeine when you are feeling anxious.
- Drink vitamins and get enough sleep to boost your immunity.
- Reach out to your teammates and colleagues and see how they are doing. It is important to have this social interactions too.
There’s more but this is all I can think about.
How are you coping with the “new normal”? I do hope you and your loved ones are all keeping safe and healthy in this turbulent times. Til then,
Stay Wild, Moon Child
XXOO Ella
EllaLand 