MDF Magazine Issue 62 7 August 2020 (7)

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Sandra’s thoughts on…When life gives you lemons make lemonadeBy Sandra Bredell (MSW)You are all familiar with the proverb, “When life givesyou lemons, make lemonade”, but what does it mean?It is hereby suggested that it means taking the badand the difficult in life and turning it into somethingenjoyable, uplifting, and positive. It also refers to beingencouraged to adopt a positive “I can cope” attitude,amidst adverse circumstances.Since March this year the people of South Africahave faced a period of uncertainty, anxiousness andunemployment as a result of job losses, fi nancialchallenges and loneliness due to staying at homeas mandated by the lockdown to curb the COVID-19virus. Across the world, people have had to adjustto a “new” normal when leaving the house, buyinggroceries, and seeking medical attention andmedicines. According to Pillay (cited by Cleary, 2020)the COVID-19 pandemic has caused an “emotionaltsunami”, where people have experienced extremeemotions of uncertainty due to feelings of “not knowingwhat is going to happen”. This can leave us to dwellin feelings of panic, hopelessness, frustration and tospread negativity. We can choose to spend our energyon these feelings or we can choose to maximise ourresilience and see this as a time for self-refl ection andgrowth as a person. To do this, we will have to decideto let go of what we cannot control and be thankful forwhat we have. The lockdown has not been just all bad,as less gang violence and fewer alcohol-related deathshave been reported, and stronger safety nets havebeen established (Oliver, 2020).But the challenge now is how to get through thedifferent levels of lockdown. Here are some quick tips tokeep you going and your mindset positive:1. Keep to your daily routineIt is suggested that we keep to our daily routine asmuch as possible and to our regular schedule ofdoing things – such as daily chores, listening to music,having meals at regular times, getting up and dressedevery day, and keeping to sleep routines. Structure yourday as usual and keep the environment neat and clean.You can control your routine and keep order in yourenvironment, which will ensure that you feel more incontrol).2. Eat healthily and exerciseIt is so easy to indulge in all kinds of comfort food,but the fact is that these foods have no “germ-fi ghtingpotential”. Rather eat more fruit, especially citrus fruitsand vegetables like sweet potatoes, spinach, andcarrots. Protein like lean meat and eggs is alsonecessary to build a healthy immune system. Duringthe lockdown you will have enough time to preparemeals from scratch and enjoy supper with your family.Make the most of this. It is equally important to drinkplenty of water and stay hydrated. Engage in simplephysical exercises and stretches to maintain yourmobility. Mental exercise is just as important, andplaying games with family members can be fun.Spending time in the garden and the sunshine boostsmental health. Deep breathing exercises will keepstress at bay.3. Sleep and “me-time”It is important to stay in your sleeping pattern and getenough sleep. It is best to turn off your laptop and phoneat least an hour before bedtime. Listening to music willhave a calming effect and will help you sleep. “Me-time”is very important for you to focus on what you need.Everyone needs time to express their fears, to thinkabout experiences, to meditate, to read a book, tojournal about their feelings, and to spend time onself-care. Be kinder to yourself and adjust to the “new”normal of wearing masks and washing hands for yoursafety and that of your loved ones. It is important to stayconnected to your loved ones, family and friends viatexting, phone calls and video calls.46
4. Remain positiveRemember that you are not alone and that you can stayemotionally connected with your signifi cant others andfriends. Maybe this is also a good time to get to knowyour neighbour better and practise ways in which youcan support each other. We are in this together. Take abreak from the COVID-19 updates and do somethingyou enjoy. Stay informed about the COVID-19 situationbut only from trustworthy sources.If you need someone else to talk to because you arestruggling to cope with the challenges of COVID-19and the lockdown, please phone the Cipla SADAG24-hour mental health helpline on 0800 456 789 or viaWhatsApp on 076 882 2775 between 9 am and 5 pm orthe social worker at the MDF.And if you run out of ideas about what to do … makelemonade. The basic recipe is as follows (Allrecipes,©2020):1¾ cups white sugar, 8 cups water and 1½ cups lemonjuice.Bring 1 cup of water and the sugar to boil and stir untilsugar is dissolved. Remove seeds from the lemon juicebut leave the pulp. In a pitcher stir together the chilledsyrup, lemon juice, and the remaining 7 cups of water.Enjoy, and until next time take care and be safe!Sources:Allrecipes. ©2020. Best lemonade ever. https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/32385/best-lemonade-ever/Cipla. 2020. Looking after your mental health duringthe COVID-19 lockdown. https://www.cipla.co.za/cipla-news/looking-after-your-mental-health-during-the-covid-19-lockdown/Cleary, K. 2020. COVID-19: The pandemic’s impact onmental health. Spotlight (4 May). https://www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2020/05/04/covid-19-the-pandemics-impacton-mental-health/Family Centre. 2020. 10 tips for taking care of your mentalhealth during the COVID-19 pandemic. (31 March).https://www.familycentre.org/about/news/post/10-tips-for-taking-care-of-your-mental-health-during-the-covid-19-pandemicFroedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin. 2020. 8ways to stay physically and mentally healthy during COV-ID-19. (14 April). https://www.froedtert.com/stories/waysstay-physically-mentally-healthy-during-covid-19Mental Health Information Centre. 2020. Surviving theCovid-19 lockdown. (18 May). https://mentalhealthsa.org.za/surviving-the-covid-19-lockdown/Oliver, G. 2020. Six ways COVID-19 is changing SouthAfrica. The New Humanitarian (28 May). https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/feature/2020/05/28/South-Africacoronavirus-positive-changesWikipedia. 2020. When life gives you lemons, makelemonade. (Last edited 16 June). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/When_life_gives_you_lemons,_make_lemonade#:~:text=When%20life%20gives%20you%20lemons%2C%20make%20lemonade%20is%20a%20proverbial,into%20something%20positive%20or%20desirableLife Lesson: #18Don't let what youcannot do interferewith what youcan do.-Johan Wooden47
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