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Anyone else with ms finding lockdown very difficult?

(10 Posts)
Lulubelle500 Sun 12-Apr-20 14:25:03

I'm usually an upbeat person. I have a very close family, wonderful neighbours, and plenty of interests. But since the lockdown I wake each morning with a feeling of dread and have to force myself to get up and start the day. Anyone help with this? (I know that if I get the virus it will provoke an almighty relapse. But I'm used to facing that, so that's not the reason for my present mood.)

25Avalon Sun 12-Apr-20 14:33:27

These are serious times and at the back of our minds we must wonder how and when it will all end. It is completely out of our control apart from staying in and self isolating and this is bound to cause anxiety. Try to have a routine to the day and at the end of each day tell yourself three good things that have happened even if it's only the sun shone or someone replied to your post on GN!

timetogo2016 Sun 12-Apr-20 14:38:09

Lulubelle500 i wake up every day and tell myself were another day closer to it all being over and normal life will resume.
Thats how i cope anyway.
I hope you feel better soon and just look forward to your family and friends company.

Greeneyedgirl Sun 12-Apr-20 16:36:05

I do sympathise with you Lullubelle500 because I think many may have similar feelings to yours, especially just now.
I am a natural catastrophiser (if that's a word?) constantly feeling that something bad is about to happen.
I now find that I am largely able to manage these feelings by endeavouring to stay in the present.
I know it sounds a bit of a cliche, but if you just take notice about what is happening at this moment in time, without imagining what may or may not happen in the future, which may be out of your control, it does help, but takes a bit of practice.
I find it helpful, without putting any pressure on myself, to think of three things when I wake. Something you can see, something you can hear, and something you can feel, ie softness of the bed. Then for at least two minutes be aware of your breathing, ie count one as you inhale, two as you exhale, or something similar.
This helps to start the day, and I can repeat this during the day if I do feel anxious, it helps to ground me in the present.
Hope it helps a bit.

hondagirl Mon 13-Apr-20 01:45:34

I coped by thinking as well that, ok, that's another day got through, and another day nearer the end of this. However, having watched a programme yesterday where they were saying that a virus has never been developed for this type of thing and that it may never be and that we may all have to learn to live with it I am getting a bit despondent. Yes, in that case, ok, we may reduce the numbers and ease some of the restrictions and start to go about normal life again, but where does that leave the likes of us older people. If there is no vaccine, are we meant to stay inside for ever?

Willow500 Mon 13-Apr-20 07:30:14

It's not the lockdown per se that's affecting me - we don't see anyone on a daily basis anyway and rarely see family who live too far away but the last few days I've felt unutterably sad. So many families losing loved ones and no end in sight. The thought that once we are able to go out again life will never be the same carefree world we lived in as this virus will still be around and many of us will still succumb to it. This morning I've just seen a musician from a well known local band has died from it sad

We will get through it but life will have changed forever.

BlueSky Mon 13-Apr-20 07:37:18

I'm usually a terrible worrier and catastrophiser, but this time I'm fairly calm after the initial shock. As my children and grandchildren live abroad I usually fret that I won't be able to go and visit or they won't be able to for whatever reason. Now that this has actually happened I'm quite philosophical about it. Just tell myself one day we'll be able to do it again and just take one day at the time.

Nana3 Mon 13-Apr-20 08:01:37

I'm going to follow your advice Greeneyedgirl, thankyou.
Hoping you are coping Lulu, many of us have similar feelings to you.

morethan2 Mon 13-Apr-20 08:41:28

I feel somewhat the same Lulubelle so can sympathise with your feelings. Greeneyedgirl thank you for the advice I’m going to try to remember it.

etheltbags1 Mon 13-Apr-20 09:15:38

I am coping much better. The days are long but I pace myself, I do a bit of housework then read then another bit o housework. I did take a neighbours dog out but I'm not sure I'm supposed to do that. I go to my mother's keeping my distance, I hand her some food etc. I have lots of books, a kindle full , I speak on watsap to my family. This can go on for as long as it takes.