Coronavirus May Update, Tips and Links

LHCC Covid-19 Patient Update and Tips – Monday May 11th

‘One country, different speeds’ – Federal Minister Greg Hunt

As we emerge from under the doona, we get a collective pat on the back from our leaders for the way we’ve handled this first stage of Coronavirus. We are in a good position to open up our lives and work… with caution. Looking at the UK, USA and Italy we have a lot to be grateful for.

It is not yet time to relax completely and celebrate. There will be more outbreaks. We still need to listen to the experts and scientists to avoid or minimise a second wave.

The states are setting their own agendas and QLD has outlined our path forward with 4-weekly gradual returns to some form of normality from May 15th and with Covid-safe plans and workspaces in the workplace. Check here for the latest on schools from the QLD Department of Education.

In this email update we have provided you with many links to resources that will help you with future healthy living and thoughtful ideas. Please explore and enjoy!

 

‘Make haste slowly’

We still need to maintain our good hygiene and physical distancing. There will still be no hugs or handshakes. If you have symptoms, stay at home. Masks are of some benefit, especially in healthcare and for those around us.   Most importantly we need to look after the health and welfare of everyone in our circle of influence.

The old adage’ to ‘make haste slowly’ (or Festina Lente! in Latin) means that activities should be performed with a proper balance of urgency and diligence.

If tasks are rushed too quickly then mistakes are made, and good long-term results are not achieved. Work is best done in a state of flow – a Positive Psychology concept in which one is fully engaged by the task and there is no sense of time passing. Here’s a great video explaining what flow is and 8 Ways to Create It.

Essentially, we need to embrace some new changes to get back to work while remaining responsible and careful to limit the spread of this virus. Work is important but health is even more so.

 

We live in a society… a community, not just an economy

Greg Hunt explains ‘So one of the reasons we need to help provide that roadmap to provide a pathway for Australians to be back at work is, firstly, to help with their jobs and their aspirations and their personal economic security, but also to help with their mental health.’He continues ‘It’s a deeply human reason to assist people to get back to work.’

Yes, we do need to work, but for many people work has become like the proverbial hamster wheel and some have made big lifestyle decisions to get off it.

The impact of Coronavirus on our mental health has been significant. Apart from increasing our fear and anxiety there have been sad reports of an increase in suicides and domestic violence.

If any mental health issues have been raised for you or a loved one you know, then please seek help by calling Lifeline, Beyond Blue (depression), Headspace (for ages 12-25) or Mensline. For more help services go to HealthDirect.

 

Will there be a positive reset and what does it look like?

After some time to steady our personal and collective lives, many of us have used that time to think about what this pandemic has meant for us. Apart from the obvious negatives, some have asked questions about whether some of the positive lessons could lead to lasting lifestyle habits and changes for the better.

For some, the benefit is doing more exercise, for others it is better nutrition. The bread baking that has been going on is wonderful and fun – try organic flour! Whether it is weight loss or eating ‘real food’, Cindi O’Meara has some fabulous programs to start you off.

Ann Stewart and her My Kitchen Heals website have some great coaching, corporate wellness and healthy schools programs that we highly recommend. Some workshops may have to wait until restrictions are eased even more.

 

Lifestyle balance and the environment

For some wider reading on broader post-Covid-19 changes see Probono Australia. ‘With so much rebuilding of society that will need to be done and so many opportunities that will present themselves for shaping a better society, we need to think beyond the present.’ Says Andrew Hamilton.

‘The challenge will be to resist the pressure to return to business as usual, and to incorporate into our thinking about the economy and our shaping of society what we have learned of the importance of cooperation, communication, trust and generosity.’

From Forbes. What if the world is meant to take a “gap year” as a result of the Coronavirus?

 

Reasons for optimism!

For some of us, restructuring our work and home lives has really worked well. No commuting, time to ‘breathe’ and go for a bike ride at lunchtime. Time to spend with family, time to think about what is really of value, to re-think our future and perhaps revise our goals like reducing the length of our working week or sustainable eating. For most of us we have come to prioritise and appreciate our health, family and relationships more.

Another big question is: what does this time of upheaval and change mean for the environment? Worldwide, traffic and noise pollution are down. For some people in India it is the first time people in the Punjab they have been able to see the Himalayas.

Here in south east QLD we have certainly noticed that on our mountain bike rides and surfing sessions the views are clearer, and the air is cleaner and fresher. Who would like this to continue? Could this be time for a pivot point for a clean energy transition?

Another question is, as a nation, do we want to go back to just producing lots of ‘stuff?’ Because the more we produce, the more greenhouse gases we emit. So how do we reduce the amount of stuff we make while keeping people in work?

We highly recommend one hybrid documentary film that looks at a positive possible future – 2040.  It is produced by Damon Gameau who brought us That Sugar Film in 2014.

In the documentary, Damon embarks on a journey to explore what the future could look like by the year 2040 if we simply embraced the best solutions already available to us to improve our planet and shifted them rapidly into the mainstream. You can rent or buy the 2040 film or DVD here. It is a truly positive and uplifting film to inspire a better future.

You can also watch That Sugar Film on 3 Streaming Platforms for $3.99.

 

Tips and links

Some of you are following us on Facebook and have seen our posts from the Australian Chiropractors Association on Working from Home. If you haven’t yet then please check out this web page and especially the short video and like us at LHCC Facebook so you can keep up to date with posts.

Another great website is the Family Guide with information and resources on Raising Children during Covid-19.

We know that people with obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular and lung disease are at greater risk of Coronavirus. If you are finding change hard then here is a helpful website showing the four stages of changing behaviour for better health.

If your kids are still at home, then now might be a good time to get them checked, as it is important to help young spines functioning well so they can grow straight, happy and healthy! To make things easier book an appointment and download the paperwork here.

 

To summarise

  1. Keep your distance and follow the hygiene rules – wash hands, cough in elbows etc.
  2. Get adjusted regularly so you can move your body and maintain flexibility, strength and endurance.
  3. Eat well – a balanced, healthy, wholefood, natural plant-based diet.
  4. Look after your mental health – get good sleep and set a regular routine.

 

We hope these tips, links and resources for healthy living have been helpful.  For past tips and updates on Coronavirus, please check our previous website blogs, including information on chiropractic and the immune system, stress reduction, nutrition and exercise tips and techniques.

This crisis presents us with opportunities for many things, such as more family and personal time, a more sophisticated and flexible use of technology, more creativity and collaboration and a revived appreciation for the outdoors and life’s other simple pleasures.

Stay well everyone as we lead the way!

Dr John, Dr Lawson and the LHCC staff

Logan Hyperdome Chiropractic Centre

3/3 Mandew Street

Shailer Park Qld 4128

P: 07 3801 5288

E: admin@lhcc.com.au       W: www.lhcc.com.au

 

Links

Australian Government Department of Health website:    https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert/what-you-need-to-know-about-coronavirus-covid-19