![\"\"](\"https:\/\/stories.qvcuk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Shipe.jpg\")
\nIt\u2019s been a while since I touched base on here and when I say a lot is happened since, it\u2019s like we\u2019re almost living in a different world right now. I hope you and your family are okay.<\/p>\n
I know everyone reacts in different ways to any circumstance and rest assured there will be ups and downs for everyone. Through all of this nobody knows exactly what to expect, how long it will last, what will happen, but we should remain immensely positive, to the point that we practice positivity.<\/p>\n
None of us are naive to the fact that we are experiencing widespread loss, devastation and destruction, but I can\u2019t help believe in the midst of all the craziness the world is experiencing that it\u2019s truly going to be a better place on the other side. The best thing right now is to just take each day as it comes, which may sound like a clich\u00e9 but it\u2019s the only way.<\/p>\n
Each day brings its own challenges and stresses but also brings new moments of joy, laughter and expression. I\u2019m going to use this blog to explain the types of things I have really found helpful over the last few weeks and some of the things I learnt whilst deserted on an island in the South Pacific for three months, for TV programme Shipwrecked.<\/p>\n\n
I was isolated from friends and family, no connection to the outside world, no shelter except for the one I built, little in the way of food and just 21 years old.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/stories.qvcuk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Ship2e.jpg\")
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My learning curve was steep but the skills I learnt and memories I have will never leave me. It was only the other day I realised a lot of what we are experiencing in terms of emotions, uncertainty and fear reminded me of my first few weeks on the island. These are some of the things I feel help to retain a sense of sanity and normality (if there is such a thing at this moment in time).<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/stories.qvcuk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Ship3e.jpg\")
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I know there\u2019s a lot of advice out there at the moment to help with our thoughts and positivity and I just want to remind you this isn\u2019t advice, I\u2019m just sharing some of the simple things I feel have helped with my own state of mind. I know everyone\u2019s situation and household is different but we can all only try our best.<\/p>\n
Routine:<\/strong> try and keep one. Up at the same time each day. Get dressed. Make a plan of what you want to achieve, write it down if it helps, include exercise, work, jobs, gardening, creativity, reading, cooking, eating, relaxing and connecting with people.<\/p>\n Gratitude:<\/strong> when your eyes open, mentally list three things to be grateful for and create a vivid picture in your mind of these. If it is grandchildren, then see them clearly in your mind smiling, vivid colours and noises of laughter, imagine they are with you. As you put your feet on the ground out of bed say “Thank you”.<\/p>\n Breathe:<\/strong> deep breathing in the shower, filling your belly, I like the Wim Hoff technique but there\u2019s plenty out there to choose from. Do your own research to find a suitable one.<\/p>\n Music:<\/strong> this next one is really important and it is throughout the day. Play a song that you love whilst you’re cleaning your teeth, getting dressed or making the bed or whatever you do. Make it a positive upbeat song. Here\u2019s a few I love: Happy by Pharrell Williams, Lovely Day by Bill Withers, Uptown Funk by Bruno Mars. In fact, anytime you feel low or are wallowing play a song you love. Music has the capacity to change your state and mood instantly. If you want, sing your little heart out. I\u2019m listening to an 80\u2019s playlist now and Womack and Womack Teardrops just came on, I love this track!!!<\/p>\n Eat well:<\/strong> and regularly where possible. Get your goodness from your greens. Take your vitamins and supplements. Cook delicious food, chew it properly, eat it slowly, enjoy every mouthful. I\u2019ve currently got a chicken and vegetable soup on the go in the slow cooker from a roast chicken at the weekend.<\/p>\n Get creative and learn:<\/strong> try something new, cook a new dish, learn a language or instrument, share skills with your household or friends, learn a magic trick to show at all those parties next year.<\/p>\n Move:<\/strong> move your body, whatever level you can. Walk around the house, garden, jig and dance in your chair, boogie in the kitchen, do anything you can manage. If you\u2019re feeling fitter, keep your strength up by home training with weights or makeshift versions like tins of soup. There\u2019s lots of support online to help you.<\/p>\n Time out:<\/strong> by reading to exercise the mind, meditating or stretching, ideally in peace. Have a bath, do a face mask, whiten your teeth. Even just lie on your back and breathe deeply.<\/p>\n Sleep:<\/strong> wind down at the end each day, stay away from the news later in the evening, yoga if you can, read something lovely. Simple stretches before bed. Good restful sleep is paramount during tricky times, don\u2019t underestimate it.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t forget to laugh hard, be silly, be childish, dance, sing and be playful. Nothing lasts forever and neither will this! Together we\u2019ll get through it xxx<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" It\u2019s been a while since I touched base on here and when I say a lot is happened since, it\u2019s like we\u2019re almost living in a different world right now. I hope you and your family are okay. I know everyone reacts in different ways to any circumstance and rest assured there will be ups […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":95078,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[256,21],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/stories.qvcuk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Food2e.jpg\")
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