Keeping in touch during the coronavirus pandemic
Expressive Gifts • 30 March 2020
Friends and family activities
It's fair to say that things are a little different at the moment. I've heard the term "unprecedented times" so frequently over the last couple of weeks, it's almost become commonplace. The current situation is anything but, so what can we do?
Humans are, by nature, sociable creatures, but the very essence of our being has been forced to live in unnatural circumstances.
Parents have been juggling the critical work/life balance, with home schooling added into the mix now schools have closed. Many have relied on family help with childcare that is now redundant as relatives are in isolation. Birthday parties, holidays, weddings, and other events have all been cancelled, leaving disappointment and uncertainty as to when or if they will go ahead in the future. Many shops, restaurants and bars are closed making common socialising and celebratory venues a thing of the past. People are struggling financially, despite the government announcing provision for both employed and self-employed people. Key workers are living on the frontline, exposing themselves to danger every single day.
People are being affected both physically and mentally. We need each other more than ever, here are a few ideas to consider:
- Call friends and relatives to check on them, either with a normal audio or video call
- Write to each other
- Take a walk outside (observing social distancing of course) - the fresh air and sunshine does the world of good
- Get the kids to play in the garden
- Get the kids doing arts and crafts
- Play games and quizzes over video call or other links such as Zoom and Houseparty
- Cook and bake together
- Carry out a random act of kindness
- Listen to music, dance together
- Go through old photos and share them
- Try a new hobby
- Write a journal
- Send a little gift to your friends and family - this could be a small token to help with mental wellbeing
Write to each other
As an advocate for everything handwritten, nothing evokes emotion like seeing your loved one's handwriting. Once it's written down, it's there. It can't be unwritten or deleted by mistake. Instantly recognisable just from the envelope, seeing familiar writing has a way of making someone feel loved and cared for. It's a boost to self-esteem and mental wellbeing. It's personal, it's meaningful and reading an email in Arial font just doesn't convey the same empathy or feeling as it would if it was handwritten. In the digital world that we live in, going back to basics and writing to each other will leave a lasting impression much longer than receiving anything electronically. Handwriting captures the moment, it's a way to share your thoughts and feelings.
Those cards and letters are often kept as memories, and can be transformed into keepsakes.
If I could have written this entire blog by hand I would, but it would have taken you a long time to read and an awful lot of scrolling!
In these unprecedented times, (there it is again) keeping in touch with elderly relatives is especially important. They may not have access to technology, they may feel isolated and are missing social aspects of friends and family life, including not seeing the grandchildren. Just receiving a card in the post could really make their day. With a drawing added, it not only gets the kids creating, but is something that Nanny and Grandad can keep to remind them how much they are loved and missed.
I currently have a competition running on my page for children to create a masterpiece or write something special. The winner will have their creation printed on an item of their choice. This could be a lovely gift for someone and also a keepsake. Full details of the competition is here
Not just for the elderly, why not write to other family and friends too. Do you know someone who works for the NHS? Write them a little note telling them how much they're appreciated. Miss your bestie? Write to them, tell them.
There are so many stationery suppliers out there, but as a small business owner myself I like to support other small businesses where possible. These cute cards from local artist Karen Perry
are one of many hand drawn designs suitable for any occasion. Feel free to check out her notebooks and writing paper too, with many designs for both adults and children. together with many other products.
Whilst spending so much time at home, people are also trying to save money by using store cupboard ingredients to prepare family meals and basic staple goods such as bread. Why not make it more fun by joining the #Twitterbakealong, a fantastic foodie network run by Rob and Jackie aka The Baking Nanna
Usually, there is a weekly competition with prizes for the star baker, but it is currently a social network to share tips, recipes and chat with each other. It's also a great opportunity to share some of your completed bakes with neighbours to show community spirit and help each other.
If, like me, you get more joy out of giving than receiving, carrying out a random act of kindness could be a great boost to mental wellbeing for both you and the recipient. If you can get out for essentials, offer to get some shopping for your neighbour or relatives at the same time, or share some of your home cooking. Some other ideas include:
- Leave motivational notes whilst out on your family walks for others to find.
- Share a skill online - you might be a great guitar player, show others how to do it! Music is great for the soul and an instant mood lifter.
- Watch the same movie at the same time as a friend, call each other during or after.
- Donate to charity
- Arrange a virtual lunch or afternoon tea with a friend
- Keep in touch with colleagues - give praise for something they've done well
- Share a friend's small business on social media
Send a little gift to a friend or relative
With a lot of high street shops closed, many of us are turning to online shopping as a way to buy not only essentials, but also gifts. As well as purchasing a pick me up gift, there are always birthdays, anniversaries and other occasions that we need to buy for. Where possible, I prefer to shop from small businesses for handmade and unique items rather than large organisations. Here are some of my hand picked choices of recommended businesses, all of which offer online services and can send directly to the recipient or arrange contact free collection. These are award winning businesses and also include a not for profit organisation where 100% of proceeds go towards finding a cure for a rare condition named AHC
From handmade chocolates and sweet treats to jewellery, home decor, authentic Cyprus halloumi, whisky tasting sets, gardening gifts, ceramics and eco friendly bath and body products there is something for everyone.
Don't forget yourself
Keeping in touch with your own physical and mental wellbeing is hard at the best of times, but is more important than ever right now. With many of us having more and more on our daily agenda, it's easy to neglect ourselves. I'll be the first to admit I'm not very good at self care, but am far more aware of it lately and often discuss how I'm feeling with my husband (whilst asking him how he is of course).
Since the #sbsevent2020, where I listened to a presentation from a lady at Mind, it became clear that so often we brush aside our own feelings for fear of being judged, and the stigma attached to mental health conditions. How many times has someone asked if you are okay, and you just replied "I'm fine" almost like a reflex. But what if you're not okay?
Often, daily stresses can be overcome with simple activities that you enjoy - your downtime. Some like to read a book, do some gardening, go out for exercise or just do nothing for a change. If a more deep rooted issue is affecting your daily life and that of those around you, help is at hand with many organisations. Please don't be afraid to ask for help, no-one is going to judge you. I have included some links below that may be helpful.
Stay safe everyone and thank you for reading my first ever blog, Vicky.
