Coping during COVID

COVID-19, in a very short time, has altered the way we conduct our lives and interact with people. We understand that this is an incredibly difficult time for people, and everyone is experiencing this in their own way. We recently had a chat about the ways we have been coping with the changes and things that are bringing us joy and helping them through this time from television and books to finding calm and thought we could share.
COVID-19 sources
The news cycle can heighten anxiety, Beyond Blue has recommended staying informed via reliable resources as well as limiting time and finding a healthy balance with media coverage. One source Steve is finding quite useful to understand how the world is living through a pandemic is the ABC podcast Coronacast where they breakdown the latest COVID-19 news and research.
Staying connected
Thinking of this time as physical distancing, rather than social distancing, can be helpful. While we need to keep physically distant to reduce the spread of the virus, it’s important to remain socially connected to our networks more than ever.
We have all had huge enjoyment from seeing our loved one’s faces and catching up over platforms like Zoom and video chats over Facebook. From having Friday night drinks to game nights, it’s been a great way to feel connected.
One game we have enjoyed as a team is scribbl.io, an online Pictionary game, where we have ended up in hysterics over how we think to draw things.
Television recommendations
If you’re looking for something more light-hearted, Ellen can’t stop laughing at Schitts Creek. A mega-rich family is the victim of a Ponzi scheme and loses everything, resulting in them moving to a motel in a town they bought years ago as a joke – Schitts Creek. Steve has been having a laugh and watching Curb Your Enthusiasm an over-the-top depiction of Larry David’s fictional life as he gets himself into one cringe-worthy situation after another.
Erin has been watching Stateless, bringing back the raw feelings of the detention centres, immigration and the children overboard scandal. A gripping storyline, with well-known actors such as Asher Keddy and Cate Blanchette, a real must-watch.
Book recommendations
Steve has been reading Dark Emu by Bruce Pascoe. A reconsideration of the hunter-gatherer tag for pre-colonial Aboriginal Australians, showing evidence that they were using domesticated plants – sowing, harvesting, irrigating and storing, right across the continent.
Ellen has found a lot more time for reading and has enjoyed Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng. The story is breathtaking and follows the disruption to ordered, rule-following Elena Richardson’s life when Mia Warren and her daughter move into their rental property. Soon to become a television series starring Reese Witherspoon.
Podcast recommendations
Erin has been listening to You’re Dead To Me. This amusing new podcast follows TV outings such as Drunk History and Horrible Histories in making the past that bit more exciting. Historian Jenner, who helped to make Horrible Histories hosts alongside experts including Dr Helen Castor, a medieval historian who helps to explain the remarkable story of Joan of Arc.
If you want something light-hearted, Ellen recommends comedian Rosie Waterland’s podcast Just the Gist. In less than an hour, Rosie hilariously recaps subjects that you didn’t think could be so funny, from Elizabeth Holmes, to what is actually the plot of Cats to the Titanic, this podcast is a great escape and excellent conversation starter when you want to move the topic away from COVID-19.
Steve’s been listening to Russia if you’re listening. It’s most recent season (season 3) examines where the idea to dismantle and disrupt Western democracies came from, the impact it’s had and where it could wind up.
Finding calm
Erin has Lizzie and Steve has fostered Luna from The Lost Dogs Home. Getting out into the fresh air and exercising with these two has been a great stress reliever. (see how these two dogs celebrated Easter).
The Get Sleepy podcast will help those struggling to drop off when their minds are buzzing. Using soothing stories and mindfulness to help you drift off to sleep. Erin thinks it’s like going to a spa, in a time where you can’t, but best of all, for free.
Buddify has a great collection of guided meditations that assist in waking-up, growing the lovely, and coping with stress & difficult emotion.
From all of us here at the Aeromedical Solutions team, we hope you all are keeping safe and well during this time.
Share with us below some of your recommendations for how you are keeping entertained and coping during quarantine.