Surviving this Iso-Life!

Is it just me or has anyone else lost count of what isolation day this is? To be honest, up until about an hour ago I thought it was Wednesday, it’s actually Thursday for anyone who is not reading this today. So iso-life has, and will continue to challenge us in ways we didn’t know we could be. Some of us have turned into teachers, some of us have turned into bakers, some of us into online meeting specialists and some of us don’t even know what day it is lol!

Life has changed dramatically and to a new normal that didn’t exist only a few short months ago. There are signs that, for us here in Australia, we might have gained control and an easing of restrictions is just around the corner. The light at the end of the tunnel is starting to shine, but we also have a long way to go until we are back to the good old days. Connections have been hard to maintain for everyone and lock-down has not been a bed of roses.

Have you, in this time, been able to create new habits with family or found new ways to engage with friends?

We’ve been reflecting on this today and thought it might be good to put down some new good habits we are working on. I was chatting with a friend the other day and announced that I have been embracing the “gift of time” we’ve been given. My day job doesn’t exist right now, so I have looked at this time as an opportunity to work on the things I love. As it turns out I love writing and so have been embracing the opportunity to write (almost daily) and it has been both cathartic and enjoyable. For Tamara she has had time to delve into art by painting and drawing.

Is there a gifting you have that you would love to indulge? Why not? Indulging in a passion might alleviate some stress from iso-life and give you a much needed outlet. After all we know that prolonged, non-managed stress is not good for our gut.

Family life has changed for many and some are multi-tasking at jobs we are neither trained in or qualified for (a round of applause for every teacher ever!). So have you implemented any new habits with family? When my son was younger we used to have Tech-Free Tuesdays, but as he has moved onto high school it gave way. We started games nights recently, and Monopoly and a deck of cards have come in handy. After our first round of Monopoly I was convinced that he thought it tiresome (even though he flogged me) and would want a sacrificial board game burning ceremony in the garden. To my astonishment he asked if we could play again the following night, which we did and are now employing games nights at least once a week.

Connections are so important to keep up and maintain at this time. Making time to contact someone you haven’t spoken with for a while is a great start. Family time that differs from the normal day to day can be beneficial, like the aforementioned games night, or family date night. Have you exercised together, which in my experience usually involves fits of laughter and that has got to be a good thing. Family challenges are great, for example who can do the most sit ups or push ups or keepy uppy’s in a week? Family bike rides, beach walks or hiking and getting in touch with nature again. Getting the kids involved in the kitchen, like my 14 year old, who has cooked 2 tasty meals recently and what parent isn’t going to be grateful for someone else cooking dinner?

At the start of this Covid19 craziness I wrote a short essay on this time being an opportunity and I am still looking at it that way today. It has not been easy and I have had to face financial pressures, like many, but I am trying daily not to be weighed down by them. At Gut Happy we are looking at ways too reset, recharge and change the things that maybe just needed to be changed. We are passionate about our gut health and yours too and continue to make that a daily focus and we are trying to be mindful and grateful for what we have. Our whole body is connected and managing iso-life should be about taking care of body, mind and soul.

I heard this question asked the other day, “what things will you change or keep once this is all over?” I hope that I can keep up the new good habits I have formed and continue to look at what opportunities this iso-life has created?

Stay safe and stay Gut Happy.

The Gut Happy Girls

xxx