Week 3 – Helpful Tips for those Self-Isolating

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A.Vogel Brand Ambassador


03 April 2020

First - 3 tips for each day

Day 1

  • Get out in the garden, balcony or wherever we safely can whilst self-isolating.
  • Be gentle on ourselves as the clocks go forward and our bodies get used to this new rhythm
  • Valerian and Hops may be useful in getting used to the new sleep pattern.

Read more in my post for day 1.

Day 2

  • Day dream a bit
  • Plan a staycation
  • Learn a poem

Read more in my post for day 2.

Day 3

  • Keep up the washing hands regime.
  • Be kind to your hands, moisturise them, try Bioforce Cream.
  • Open the windows wide and air the house/apartment.

Read more in my post for day 3.

Day 4

  • Could it be the time to start some social activities in your neighbourhood?
  • Check out a new activity routine or up the game with your present one
  • Kelp could be helpful in supporting a healthy metabolism.

Read more in my post for day 4.

Day 5

  • Take a few moments downtime to breathe.
  • Physical activity like scrubbing the floor help dissolve the stress.
  • Try Emergency or Night Essence if you need a little emotional support.

Read more in my post for day 5.

Day 6

  • Yell somewhere safely if you need to do so.
  • Wear calm, light pastel colours: they are more calming than the strong reds and oranges.
  • Start Journaling.

Read more in my post for day 6.

Day 7

  • Give yourself a Gold Star.
  • Phone a Friend
  • Finish a project or learn a skill.

Read more in my post for day 7.

A Week of Short Posts for those who are ‘self-isolating’.

Day 1

  1. The days are longer and brighter this week as the clocks have ‘Sprung forward’. Whenever we can, let’s get outdoors. Everyone is in better form as we leave the long dark days of winter behind. I am reminded of the children’s song, ‘the sun has got his hat on’- a joyful, fun song to help keep our spirits on that better, higher vibration.
  2. Over the years, I’ve heard folk say they find this first week of ‘new time’ to be a bit of challenge, so let’s be gentle on ourselves. Our bodies are getting used to this new rhythm and we may find ourselves a bit out of kilter.
  3. If our sleeping pattern is affected, we could try Dormeasan Sleep, a combination of Valerian and Hops which is for helping us sleep, whilst we establish our new sleep pattern. 

So, let's get out; be nice to ourselves; and if we have problems sleeping, we might try Dormeasan Sleep (Valerian-Hops).

A.Vogel Dormeasan Sleep Valerian-Hops Oral Drops | Sleeping Aid | Extracts of Fresh Valerian Root


£5.49 (15ml) In Stock

Day 2

  1. Take a break from all the serious stuff today. Sit on the step at the backdoor or near a window with your favourite beverage and just do nothing. It's so against the way we are now, but so good for us. Yes, our teachers weren't too impressed when we did it at school, but many of the greatest minds received their inspiration when off in a reverie. So, give yourself permission to daydream a bit.
  2. I heard Marty Whelan on Lyric Radio this morning, talking about planning a holiday, and I thought 'what a good idea'. So, I'm sharing Marty's idea with you. It's always great to have something to look forward to, so how about planning to visit to a part of Ireland you've never been to before – the Giant's Causeway, the Mountains of Mourne, The Lakes of Killarney. Mother Earth is recovering beautifully as we all travel less, so maybe this could be the year to stay at home – just bring your wellies!
  3. Learning a poem every day is a good way to benefit from this enforced 'downtime'. There are several books which have a poem for each day of the year and I particularly like 'Poem for the Day: One', which has the subtitle '366 poems, old and new, worth learning by heart'. Just imagine, if we are indoors for a month, that's 30 new poems learnt, how great would that be... and how good for developing new synapses in your brain. Or you could take out your old poetry book from school and relearn/refresh your memory on some old favourites. Way to go!

Today's tips: include having a bit of a day dream; planning a staycation; and learning a poem.

Day 3

  1. As we are mostly in our own space now, we may become a little careless about the handwashing which is so vital to all our health and well-being. So, let's just remind ourselves again that we need to wash our hands frequently during the day. When my post comes in through the letter box, I take it in with gloves on, spray it with my Puressential airspray, or Lavander Hand Sanitizer from Dr. Bronner. I then leave it for a couple of days and spray it again a few times before opening it. Let's be sure to keep up the hand washing.
  2. If you are like me in keeping up the handwashing regime, your hands might also feel dry, chapped and sore. Our hands work so hard for us every day, and they also need a little TLC; so, use your best moisturiser and thank them daily for all the work they do. I find Bioforce Cream is gentle, soothing, and moisturising for my kind, hard-working, chapped hands.
  3. It's Springtime, so let's (where it's possible) open all the doors and windows and fill our homes with wonderful fresh air. With little ones being at home, we must be acutely aware of their safety with open windows and blind cords. Those with garden clothes lines can again feel the joy of that great fresh smell when taking in the clean, dry sheets, so much nicer, more environmentally friendly, and less expensive than using the electric drier. Working from home comes with the added bonus of being able to take them in should a Spring shower come by to freshen the garden.

So, in summary today: keep washing the hands; let the fresh air in through open windows, and moisturise your hands; try Bioforce cream.

A.Vogel Bioforce Cream | For Dry, Chapped and Cracked skin | Protects, Nourishes and Softens Rough Skin using extracts of fresh herbs | Contains Witch Hazel | 35g


£9.99 (35g) In Stock

Day 4

  1. I've seen a picture recently of folk all sitting outside their houses so they can see each other and chat but at a safe social distance. Maybe this could be something to start in your neighbourhood. Or perhaps you could even start a (socially-distanced) choir, some exercise routines, or some dancing - everyone in their own space, safely away from each other but able to see and hear each other. This could really help with the 'feeling isolated' part of self-isolation. It's a thought at the back of my mind which I haven't 'actioned' yet.
  2. Are all the daily routines going well? Or is it time to review them? Are you falling asleep with your present mindfulness meditation, is it time to try a different one? Or maybe check out a new dance fitness routine online?
  3. If the activities have slowed down a bit and you're feeling a few pounds are sneaking back on, it's time to up the ante again. Get back on the Yoga Mat, dig deep in memory for those Chi Kung classes you learnt before you became a Mam or Dad, and start afresh today. If you feel your metabolism needs a little help just now, Kelp (seaweed which contains iodine) might be worth a try.

And to sum up today's tips – Consider starting a neighbourhood activity; up the game with the home exercises; and Kelp may be useful if the metabolism has slowed down..

Day 5

  1. If it's all feeling a bit much now, find a way to support yourself. If the children have cabin fever and are fighting with each other and you're on an office deadline, take a few minutes peace and quiet somewhere. This is the time to turn on children's TV, or to allow an hour's 'screen time'. The bathroom will do, or the garden shed. Breathe again. A few slow deep breathes. Feel the stress fall away. When we are stressed, our thinking isn't clear and we need clear heads to cope just now. So, stand by a window, or put down the loo seat and sit down, take low, deep breaths, breathing in, breathing out and feel your body relax. Take a moment to bring to mind a time, a moment, when you felt that sense of expansion, that sense that, 'it's all ok' – perhaps on a beach on holidays, or walking by a stream – and just stay there for a moment in that expanded space and notice you are not feeling so overwhelmed any more.
  2. A friend was telling me recently that when her dad was really stressed, washing the kitchen floor really helped him. In fact, cleaning anything can help with stress.
  3. Lots of health store customers have found flower remedies helpful at times of stress and crisis. Emergency Essence is a good one in times of high stress. Night Essence may be helpful this week, as we get used our new Summertime regime.

Today, we could take some 'breathing breaks' in a quiet corner; scrub the floor; or take a Flower Essence, for example Emergency or Night Essence if needed.

Day 6

  1. I'm hearing that some folk are finding great difficulty and stress with this self-isolating business. We do know that it's the best thing for us and for everyone else right now, but we really need to support ourselves in it. So, the old therapy trick of grabbing a pillow and venting our frustrations into it could help us feel a bit better.
  2. Dark colours may make us feel a bit down, whilst red and orange may have a (subconscious) agitating effect; so, best to wear the lighter, brighter colours at the moment – pale pinks, blues, and greens can be soothing and calming to us and to those around us.
  3. An A4 notebook and a pen, preferable a fountain pen, is all you need to start journaling. It's for your eyes only, so keep it safe and private and you can just let the steam off onto the page. I find the 'morning pages' from Julia Cameron's 'The Artists Way' work best for me. First thing, take out the pen and paper and just write three pages of stream of consciousness. Just take the pen and move it across the page, writing everything that's going on in your head. If you have tiny ones or elders who are needing care, another time of the day may work best for you.

In summary today, we may need to scream into a pillow to help with the stress; wear light colours; and start journaling.

Day 7

  1. Give yourself a Gold Star. You are doing incredibly well under very difficult circumstances. You are doing the best that you can do. And if every day hasn't measured up to what you'd like, or you are struggling a bit, be easy on yourself. Have a little treat, open that box of Belgium chocolates your friend gave you for Christmas, or enjoy a lovely long bath, or make yourself some comfort food – apple tart or madeira pudding. A special treat just for today.
  2. Phone a Friend. Mary, with whom you were very friendly but with whom you haven't spoken since your children left play group, and whose number is still in your phone. Or John, who always gave you a lift to work when your car broke down. Give them a call today; they may be very glad to hear from you.
  3. So, you found that little baby cardigan you had started knitting when you became an auntie and now you have the time to complete it. Or if you have an instrument (ukulele, like me, or keyboard) you always meant to play, well, there are plenty of courses on line, no excuses now!

So, phone a friend; complete a project or learn a skill; and Give Yourself A Gold Star!

Thank you for staying with me through this journey of self-isolation. I don't feel isolated knowing you are sharing this experience with me.

Thank you for your feedback. And here's wishing that you and your family stay healthy and well.

Till next week, thank you.

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15ml

£ 5.49

Buy now

Herbal sleep remedy containing organically grown valerian root and hops. Fresh herb tincture.
More info

A.Vogel Bioforce Cream | For Dry, Chapped and Cracked skin | Protects, Nourishes and Softens Rough Skin using extracts of fresh herbs | Contains Witch Hazel | 35g

35g

£ 9.99

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Velvety, rich, nutrient packed cream that offers our ultimate in protection for rough or coarse skin …
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Emergency Essence

15ml

£ 3.99

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Use our Bach Flower Remedy by Jan de Vries, to provide support in times of stress. Available in two …
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Night Essence

30ml

£ 5.99

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Use our Bach Flower Remedy by Jan de Vries to help restore your sense of inner calm, and make you …
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