Staying Positive

When my husband told my 11-year old daughter Lara that I tested positive, I heard emotional wails escaping her—as if the world was about to end!

My little eight-year-old son was slightly less expressive, but with some tears in his eyes. I told them I was perfectly fine and just needed a few days to rest it out. I felt mother’s guilt I couldn’t be there for them, but I realised I had to rely on others in my house to do it for me. I almost had another round of mother’s guilt from being relieved that I didn’t have to deal with homework, classes, school drop-offs and tantrums!

I could hear my kids through the door with their usual antics and my patient husband trying to run the fort. I knew that while I was isolated, engrossed in my relaxation music with essential oils diffusing—my kids were also using their devices more, eating junk food, and maybe not doing everything they were supposed to. But I was fine with that. I needed to let go and focus on me, my health and my mental state to come out stronger for us all.

Remember there is only so much you can control while sitting alone in a room. I tried to be grateful that I didn’t have major symptoms and felt relatively fine. 

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Routine

My entire life is a schedule and even when on holiday, I have a routine. I never just laze around in bed, and now having days of “me time” while the clock moved achingly slowly, I managed somewhat of a routine. Routine helps give us a sense of control and helps manage uncertainty.

When I woke up each day, the first thing I did was tidy my room. I mindfully went around cleaning up, making my bed, opening the windows and curtains and wiping down the room and bathroom. Granted the first two days I didn’t feel so energetic, so I skipped this. But as my energy came back, I fell into this pattern. I would then take out my yoga mat in front of the window and do some simple stretching and breathing. Just the act of sitting, breathing in the air, feeling the sunshine and looking into greenery and hearing the birds is complete bliss.

I would end the mat routine with meditation, which itself is grounding and comforting. The luxury of not needing to rush, accomplish the next task, sit at my desk, or drive somewhere is deliciously relaxing. I worked in the mornings after a shower and then ate lunch while watching TV. I continue to work, nap, or read in the afternoons, followed by the return of the yoga mat for sunset. My evenings are spent binge-watching Netflix.

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Nourish

I believe that to feel physically and mentally better while isolating is to nourish the soul. The first thing I needed, was childhood comfort food; and because I grew up in Japan, that was soup and sticky Japanese rice every day. Whatever makes you feel good, eat it. And I stayed happily hydrated on coconut water. Other things that greatly helped were pre and probiotics from Synbiotic15, a Swedish brand that dramatically helped my immunity, gut health, especially when taking medicines that can irritate the stomach. Hot tea from Grandma Lotus was also my daily companion with its nourishing blends to help the Qi.

Another great resource that I found helpful was Speedoc, which caters to a wide range of medical services all in the comfort of your home. I booked my PCR test to be done at home which was convenient and stress free. By downloading the app, I could pre-book my visits from a doctor and not worry about leaving the house or putting anyone else at risk.

Embracing Temporary Isolation

I do believe at some point we will all get Covid-19, and my advice is the moment you don’t feel well, self-administer an ART, and if you are positive begin the process of isolation. If you can, ahead of time, arrange a box with essentials like thermometer, oximeter, paracetamols, vitamin c, Epsom salt for a soaking bath, warming eye mask, and maybe some anti-allergy which helped with my congestion, and extra fluids of your choice like coconut water. Also, to confirm any doubts, you can call Speedoc to then help with a PCR test which officially puts you in the system. 

It isn’t easy to be alone, but for a short period of time, it’s a luxury we don’t often get. My life is schedules, kids, work, errands, workouts—responsibilities that repeat themselves daily. I felt like I had time to heal, think, and rest. As a working mother, that never ever happens. I didn’t feel guilty, as I let go of what I couldn’t control, and found the hours in the day to sit lazily at my balcony enjoying the view, reading trashy novels, indulging in Netflix, online shopping, meditating, and just thinking about recovering to come out stronger and healthier.

We can ditch the stigma associated with contracting the virus, accept at some time we will all get it, hope for the best, and stay as positive as possible.

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