World Bike Girl is with Ishbel Holmes.

3 days ago

Maria self isolating 😂. We're almost at the end of a 2 week self isolation and moving into lock down ... the only difference is that I will be able to get my own food shopping, even so I AM VERY EXCITED about it lol

To be honest my life didn't change much being in self isolation. I've been a total hermit for over a year now because of my mental health. I must say it's way better self isolating because you are told to do so, rather than it being because your mental health doesn't allow you to.
I've felt more a part of society these past 2 weeks than I have the last year.

I remember when I first began experiencing the limitations that my mental health deteriation brought, mostly not being able to go out and do every day activities and not being able to socialise. I went from a girl who had cycled the world to a girl confined to her flat. It was scary and took time to process and learn to be comfortable with it.

I've been seeing people videos of them 'going off their heads' because of self isolation/lock down and I thought I'd share a few tips that I learned through my own experiences ...

Firstly I would say be thankful. Be thankful that we live in a country which is wealthy enough that we can have self isolation/lock down. Be thankful we got instructions from our leaders to say we were to stay indoors and that they would provide financial support to help us through it. In many countries around the world people will never hear these words from their leaders because there is no financial aid available. People have the choice to risk starvation or risk Corona virus. Be thankful we have one of the most advanced health care systems in the world which ensures everyone has access to health care, no matter if you are rich or poor.

Do not think about what you can't do.
Think about what you can do.
See the opportunities in every situation.
Many people are so busy all the time chasing goals. Enjoy the time to simply be.

I was so bored in the first month's when I couldn't go out and socialise or work or do hobbies outside. But through that boredom I discovered hobbies I could do indoors and that I love. Hobbies I loved doing as a child but had forgotten about them as I got older and got swept up by life and achieving. I love drawing flower fairies, and colouring in Persian designs and doing word search puzzles and jigsaws with brightly coloured flowers!

Staying calm on the inside, regardless of what is going on in the outside world, is one of the greatest achievements a human being can achieve. If you are stressed and anxious and have a feeling of dread please please please take slow deep breathes.
You want your belly to be rising and falling not your chest and an easy way to learn this is to lie on your back and place one hand on your belly and one hand on your chest whilst you do your deep slow breathing.
You want the hand on your belly to be rising and falling ... not the hand on your chest. This type of breathing instantly taps into the parasympathetic part of the nervous system and the chemicals released counteract the chemicals that are being released through stress and YOU WILL FEEL CALMER. Repeat as needed.

If you find your thoughts are racing and you are worrying all the time then take control by first becoming aware ... and bring your attention to the here and now ... your thoughts will follow ... what can you see, what can you taste, what can you feel, what can you hear?
Focusing your mind on what your senses are actually experiencing in the moment stops the worrying thoughts. Repeat as needed.

If you are worrying and have a feeling of dread consider limiting how much news you are watching. Cutting it out completely at a time like this is difficult, so even restrict to one news programme a day.

Also for me cutting down screen time in general helped me loads when I was experiencing periods of high anxiety. Even now I limit my screen time.

When you do get outside ENJOY EVERY MOMENT of it. Savour it. Again become aware of what your senses are experiencing.

THE BEST WAY I've ever found to instantly boost happiness in a big way is by having a kareoke bath. Get Spotify going and use a lyrics page via google on your phone and belt out all your favourite songs in your bubble bath as loud as you want! Obviously be careful you don't drop phone into bath lol

Anyway these are all things that really helped me when my life first resembled self isolation/lock down I hope it helps some of you who are 'going aff their heads'. 😂

P.s Having a dog helps Lol

Al my love Ishbel xxx ... See MoreSee Less

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World Bike Girl is with Ishbel Holmes.

4 days ago

Gorgeous wonderful Lucy. Will never forget you. All my love Ishbel xxx ... See MoreSee Less

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