We’ve got at least another 2 weeks of lockdown to go!

• What’s going well for you (and your clients) during the lockdown?
• What’s the #1 challenge?
• What new habit have you (or your clients) developed that you want to continue after the lockdown is over?

Based on the challenges people have shared with me so far, I’ve compiled my top 5 tips, tools and resources to help you (and your clients) cope.  If clients have their own multi-disciplinary team or Occupational Therapist, I’m sure they can offer something much more personalised, but here are a few links to get you started.  If you know of other resources which would be helpful, please share them so I can keep adding to this list!

1. Bored?  Here are some boredom-busting activities that clients can do at home.

Check out this post from Chatterbox for the most comprehensive list I’ve seen with links to free virtual tours, online learning, free streaming of musicals, books, podcasts, meditations, games and more!  Thank you to Catherine Birkett of Optimise Neurotherapy Centre for sharing this amazing resource that she found!  I think I might try a few of these myself.

2.  Lonely or struggling to cope? Here are some groups who will help clients connect with others.

While loneliness is a huge issue during lockdown, there are surprisingly few solutions for people (particularly younger people) who want to access a real live person to talk to (verus engaging in an online forum).   Not everyone has family/friends to connect with virtually and not everyone has pre-Coronavirus group involvement to fall back on.  I’ve specifically focused below on options where people can ring for a “chat” or support (as opposed to advice lines), but please let me know if you are aware of other options!

• QuarantineChat is one solution which connects people who are stuck at home.
• Silverline and Call in Time are befriending services for older adults.
• The Silverlining Brain Injury Charity offers some local Whatsapp groups and Zoom meetings for people with a brain injury.
• Check out community/town Facebook pages as some groups are trying to connect people who are struggling with isolation.
• Childline is a support line for children struggling to cope.
• Children North East offers peer support and mental health support.
• The Samaritans is a support line for adults struggling to cope.

3.  Want to get fit?  Free options for exercising at home (plus solutions if you are sitting at your desk too much).

• NHS One You home exercise videos
• Sports England has compiled an extensive list of Get Active at Home free (and free-trial) options
• Yoga with Adriene
• The Body Coach TV (Joe Wicks)
• Amazon Prime Video also offers exercise videos of you happen to subscribe to that already
• C/Net – Gadgets, standing desks, stretches and exercises

4.  Want to eat healthier?  Here are some fantastic healthy recipes, learn-to-cook websites and a meal delivery service you can try.

• Mindful Chef meal delivery service.  This is the easiest solution I’ve found if you have the time and energy to try some new recipes, but it isn’t safe to travel to multiple shops looking for new ingredients and/or you can’t get the individual ingredients delivered.  I like this company in particular because all of their recipes feature a lot of vegetables, fruit and whole grains.  While many people may find their delivery service too expensive to subscribe to all of the time, it may be worth using them (or a similar service) periodically to liven up your meals and introduce new foods, ingredients and recipes with minimal fuss and hassle.  If you sign up but don’t order for 24 hours, they will usually send you a discount code for the first two orders.  Mindful Chef also very kindly share all of their recipes for free on their website.  Not sure what a meal delivery service involves?  Check out my other article about the pros and cons HERE.
• Basic cooking videos with Jamie Oliver.
• Quarantine Kit for Families (includes recipes) from a dietitian in the USA
• Let’s Get Cooking recipes from the British Dietetic Association

5.  Home schooling?  Here’s the curriculum compiled by Skint Dad Community Facebook Group if  your clients have children they need to keep occupied during the day.

• • 9:00am – PE with Joe Wicks
  • 10:00am – Maths with Carol Vorderman (for ages 4-12 years)
  • 11:00am – English with David Walliams
  • 12:00pm – Lunch (cooking with Jamie Oliver)
  • 1:00pm – Music with Myleene Klass
  • 1.30pm – Dance with Darcey Bussel
  • 2.00pm – History with Dan Snow (free for 30-days)
  • 4.00pm – Home Economics with Theo Michaels (Mon/Wed/Fri)
  • Science with Professor Brian Cox, Robin Ince & Guests

Interested in a coffee chat with me by Skype/Zoom/Facetime? Have a great idea for a future blog article or great resource you’d like me to share?   Please get in touch at info@specialistnutritionrehab.co.uk or 07787 603863.

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