I am here at work still, and I thought  it would be a good time to reach out and say, “Hello” to all of you out there, give you a little pep talk. We will all need a pep talk right now more than ever! 

I am lucky enough to live walking distance from the clinic, so it is very easy for me to get there.

 We are very quiet, naturally. We are spacing our clients out to avoid having more than one person in the waiting area at a time. We are taking significant precautions to ensure that all surfaces are wiped down frequently. We have got rid of any unnecessary cluttering in the waiting area. We have done away with the drinking water. We are doing everything we can to keep everything as safe as possible for you, should you wish to visit, and should you prefer not to, then obviously that is fine.

I really just wanted just a brief word. I know that you are hearing this already, but just to reinforce more of it!  We must keep ourselves physically well, but we must also make sure that we keep our chins up and that we do not mentally go down during this period. 

We are right at the start of it, and I have no idea of how you are feeling, but I am feeling very up and down with it all. I do not really know where my head is at quite yet, but I guess I will work it out in time. It is a period of adjustment for us all. None of us are quite sure how we are because it is all so new and also because we are hearing lots of conflicting messages, which is always unsettling.

We are all creatures of habit and routine, and for most people just throwing off the habit and the routine is tough in itself. The lack of being able to plan or knowing when this is all going to end so that we can all get back on with our lives, is ever present. So, if you will allow me, my top tips for you.

Take each day as it comes and try and avoid looking too far into the future.
 I would recommend limiting your intake of information about the COVID-19 situation.  I do not mean bury your head in the sand, but I do mean try to avoid information overload.
Try to keep some structure in your day. If you are WFH get up at your usual time, shower, breakfast, get ready in your usual way. This is a very basic nursing skill we are taught early on right from our student days.
Looking good is so much more than vanity as I have said here so many times in the past. Looking good makes you feel better, I do not fully understand the science of this but I know it to be true.
Food -wise everybody is losing their minds. Try to remember, we have enough food, just buy what you need, nothing more, nothing less.
Avoid comfort eating and comfort drinking. These are short term ‘feel goods’ with long term ‘feel bad’. This situation sadly is a marathon, not a sprint. Pace yourselves.
Get yourself outside for a brisk walk or run, if you can. If you have to stay in, you can access all manner of activities via social media. I use Joe Wicks who does a variety of activities including ‘hotel room’ – perfect for being stranded at home.

So try and focus on your health, your mental health, your physical health, because that is going to get you through this period much better than becoming a sofa slob. 

Skin-wise, we can deliver whatever you need. We are available on social media all the time and, at the moment, the clinic is still open, but that could change at any moment. Stay Safe!