It has been a long time since I posted anything on this blog.
The last fortnight was one of the most difficult for me. Both my parents were tested Covid positive with high fever. My father has been fighting cancer for over 3 years now, and that was an added concern for us. My sister, who is also a doctor, took them for tests. And then, she and her husband, both tested positive. At the same time, our cousins have been fighting covid too.
It was a difficult time. The nights were long and sleepless. The days were restless. Regular monitoring of oxygen saturation, temperature, pulse, fever along with multiple instructions 4 times a day became a routine. Every ring of phone was scary. Every conversation had only one subject – how is everyone, how much is oxygen saturation, how is fever, who else got infected, are they doing fine, calls for beds and oxygen increased and so did phone calls for consultation from patients, from distant relatives, friends, friends of friends, and even remote acquaintances who wanted to know what to do in case of an infection and where to go in case of emergency.
This is not an isolated story from my life. This is what most of us went through in the last few days. This is what India has faced in April and May this year with the second wave of covid19 taking us by storm.
Fear, apprehension, increased workload, and stress due to multiple factors is at the highest at this point in time.
I was on the verge of a burnout due to increased psychological, and physical stress. The exhaustion left me drained to a level that often I felt like I was waddling through days without any time left.
But soon, I made a proper schedule for myself and regained the balance that I try to maintain at all times.
This post is to send a word of solidarity – if any of you is going through any such mental, physical, psychological stress, please know that you are not alone. We are all being tested and we will somehow keep going.
The night may be dark and scary, but every night culminates in a beautiful day. This night will end too.
In the meantime, the following tips helped me. I’m writing them down here, hoping that they might help someone else too.
Allot fixed time to work – If you are working from home. The boundaries get blurred a lot of times when you are tempted to reply to emails at night or right after waking up, when you answer non-emergency calls from people who don’t care about others’ time, or when you lose track of time while on social media. If you don’t have fixed time for work, it will eat away all of your productive time leaving you drained.
Same goes for household work. My domestic help has been attending weddings since March. So, I’m paying her but not taking her services. It leaves me cleaning, doing dishes, and cooking. Fixing time for each activity does streamline a lot of time and schedule.
(My husband does sometimes help in cooking, but I’ve mentioned before that he is in a govt job that is counted as essential services. He goes to work, even in the strictest lockdown. So that leaves us without much help, yet with a constant fear of getting infected despite staying at home.)
Make a sleep-wake schedule and try to stick to it – Proper sleep cannot be compromised for anything. Once you get a habit of sleeping on time, and sleeping well, you will see how much it changes your routine for good. I make it a point to sleep at least 7-8 hours a day. Early to bed and early to rise works best for me.
Exercise – I resumed Yoga to stay fit. Choose anything that can be done at home, without stepping out for gym or park, which isn’t safe currently.
Healthy eating – Eat clean food – means non-processed, non-junk balanced diet – with a good balance of carbohydrates, protein, fats, minerals, and vitamins. Regularly eat fruits and fresh vegetables. A schedule for healthy eating is as important as exercise for body and mind.
Stay Hydrated – Lots of water, all through the day, helps you going strong. Need to stay hydrated can never be over-emphasized.
Meditate daily – What food and exercise are for body, meditation is for mind. It calms you, relaxes you, and rejuvenates you for a long time.
Limit social media time – It wasn’t tough for me. I was never addicted to any social media. Whatever time I used to devote, I reduced that as well and now limit online news consumption, and try not to be drawn in anything that doesn’t help me grow or doesn’t relax me.
Me time – Set apart an hour or at least 30 minutes to yourself for doing things that make you feel happy. Do something everyday that fuels the soul too. It maybe music, or sketching, playing with kids, or playing a musical instrument, or anything that distracts you from difficult moments and sets a rhythm for hope. Things which make us feel good have an innate power to radiate positivity and fight despair. Good times will return but we need to keep ourselves safe until then. Not only physically, but mentally, and psychologically too.
These are things I usually do when my life gets off the track and runs haywire. I hope you are all good and taking care of you and your family.
People on my side are recovering. I wish the same for everyone who is reading this. My prayers are with all those who are infected and suffering from Covid19 or who have their loved ones suffering from it. May God be with you. May everyone get well soon 🙏🙏🙏
Times are difficult. Covid19 has been long overdue and it needs to go.
Until then, don’t lose hope. Don’t panic.
Stay strong. And hang on for a bit more.
Take care. Stay safe. Lots of love to one and all 💖💖💖
M
Hey il hope your family is doing well now
Oh god!! Just now reading ur post.. I am so sorry actually I was having issues to access WordPress so I was not active here. I talked to u but that time u said ur relatives were affected by covid. I don’t know abt ur parents. It would have been so tough for everyone. I know how positive u are but again when it comes to health issues, we all feel helpless. Hope ur parents and closed ones are fine and doing better now. Wishing and praying for their speedy recovery 🙏 hope for things to get settle down…
Hello di. I hope your family is recovering now and things are better at your end?
Yes, things are better Gursheen. Thanks ❤❤
So good to know that.
Covid times have really given us a set back to everything – be it physically or mentally….the best we can do is to stay safe and also to keep others motivated. Thanks for the motivation you have been giving us di…and praying for your family…infact I read the comments made by everyone..so collectively praying for everyone and hope this tough time passes away soon….we can definitely fight it together..take care of yourself too Di…!! God bless..!! ❤️❤️
Yes, everyone is going through worst and a collective prayer for everyone, everyday, is what the world needs. We will fight it together. Thanks for the wishes.
Wish you the same 💖💖
Take care of u and ur family Dr.Author. My prayers r always with u
Thank you, dear. Please take care 💖
Take care dear .. God bless everyone in your family with good health.. It’s tuff time but it will pass .. All prayers 🙏
Thank you Ekta. Take care 💖
just hope this time will pass soon.people are suffering from many more problems other than covid 19….be it fear of being positive or for their family . .Or their living sisituations. . Their earnings.. .A pregnant woman is afraid to give birth because doctors are not available at most of the places ..A person who is suffering from critical illness not getting a proper treatment or routine checkups. ..Losses are so much . .People are losing their hope, their lives and their faith. . It’s a really painful time which is gonna live a hole in every heart… Wish for everyone’s good health and safety ….pls take precautions and be safe if not for your self then for your family, friends and others..
There are lot of people who are behaving like fools and roaming around freely like nothing happening .. And making fun of others.. . It’s their foolishness which is also a reason why we aren’t able to control it …let’s just hope the vaccination will help to get us free from this…May God bless all of us and give peace to lost souls…
You are right, Mona. A lot of people are behaving like fools and a LOT are suffering in different ways…
I just hope this ends soon and we get over this catastrophe. Prayers for the world to heal 🙏
Take care 💖
I just hope that this too shall pass. And I went through the same when my parents got tested positive in the first week of April. However, they didn’t need hospitalisation as their ct value was high and I am thankful for that.
I wish that your family members have speedy recovery. In fact, I wish everyone who is suffering from covid gets well soon. This phase is scary more mentally than physically as I have heard news of so many relatives of ours, known and unknown were doing better before but they got startled by negative thoughts and news and in the end, lost the battle. The point is we have to be positive, feed our minds with positivity so that we can fight against covid.
Covid made all of us realise so many things, what’s important and what’s not,
I have never seen my mother using her phone or television for any sort of entertainment buy when she was isolated, we made sure that she takes some ‘me time’ and enjoy. We kept suggesting her some good movies so that she can nibhe watch them.
I just hope this passes soon and we get back to our normalcy sooner.
Sending some strength to you doctor.
Take care of yourself first so that you can take care of your loved ones.
Much love,
Krinal. ❤️✨
Binge*
I can understand what you went through. We are in the same situation. Like you said, it is important to stay positive and hope for the best.
Take care of yourself and your loved ones 💖💖
Hi Manita, That has been the situation every where in India. Very sad and haunting. Whenever we call to talk to someone from India its the same new we get to hear – someone tested positive, someone is in the hospital, someone is very critical, someone has passed away. Just a ring, message at an odd time or even a regular time is rising the heart rate. So many of the near and dear have been critically impacted personally, professionally, emotionally, financially. Its just tiring and exhausting. So many of close relatives, friends died in span of days without knowing about each other. This is so hard on the people who left back.
Just praying that we all come out stronger and soon.
Hugs and love
Exactly what you mentioned, Sawmya…. everyone went through the same situation. And it has still not ended. Some or the other is getting infected everyday and a lot are suffering more than we can even think about. it’s hard for everyone.
Hope all of us come out of it stronger and safe.
Take care 💖💖
Covid19 hit everyone too hard & especially in 2021, post the month of March. Last two months must’ve been tough for you.
Wishing them a speedy recovery Doc. Stay safe and thanks for all the tips.
Yes, Covid19 was harder in 2021 than 2020.
Thank you for all the wishes. Wishing you good health. Stay safe 👍
Good to hear that you and your people are doing fine. We just have to hang on a little more and take all the necessary precautions. Hope and patience is all we need
True Madhuri. We are all hanging on by the thread of hope and patience.
Stay safe 💖💖
Please take care of yourself and people around you di. Keeping you and your family in my prayers ❤️
Thank you so much. Take care. Stay safe 🤗💖
Oh man this must have been such a tough time for you dii:/ hope everyone gets well soon in your family❤️
Take care dii
Lots of love and hug for you🤗❤️
Thank you for the wishes. Love and hugs back to you Hinu. Hope everything is fine at your end.
take care 💖💖
Yes dii, everything is good here😄
You too dii❤️
Really getting scared because of this covid ..my mom’s elder sister died and her entire family has been tested positive including the kids.. vaccine is out of stock things are getting harder day by day. Stay Strong di! We will get through this together. My prayers and best wishes for you and your family.
Take care❤️
Hope things settle down soon. My prayers with your mom for this loss is an irreparable one. May everyone on your masi’s side heal soon 🙏
Take care
Indeed u r right Dr Ye waqt b guzar jayega. .sealing in a same boat my Bhai n baba r positive….. N this is really a hard time ☹️
Take care of urself.. .
May Almighty keep everyone safe n sound.. .
Prayers and wishes for your Bhai and Baba, sufi 🙏🙏
Take good care of them. They will be fine soon. If you ever need to ask anything or talk, you can contact me, anytime.
Take care 💖💖
Thanku soooo much… This means a lot❤️…
Love u Soo much 😘
U tooo take care of urself 💞
💖💖💖
Situations are really scary. It’s worst than last year. At least last year people were scared of covid and b’coss of that all were staying inside. But after few months when it started to Being New Normal people became more careless and it affected a lot. Even virus too got more dangerous than earlier. It came too close to our houses now.
Even my sister-in-law’s whole family, my brother-in-law, his wife also got infected. And more scary was my parents who are above 85 with few illness due to old age, got infected. Never thought they will be affected and b’coss of them my brother and his family also got infected. My parents condition was little critical but by god’s grace they need not have to admit in hospital. This all happened just 25 days before. Now we all are breathing in sigh that all are recovered.
Yes, time is really difficult in thise 15 days. Stay strong. This shall pass very soon.
I can feel your condition Madhuri.
We went through exactly the same situation. One after the other people started getting infected and parents, since they are older, cause more concern. Finally, they are on a road to recovery but those few days were very scary.
This time is difficult but we will be better soon.
take care 💖💖
You’re right about the phone calls. The ring just brings in negative thoughts. With so much of uncertainty, it’s getting difficult to pass on a single day. Thank you for leaving us tips to take care of ourselves in this hard time.
Wishing you, your family and all the others well. I hope they recover soon.
Thank you dear. I just wrote them hoping if someone is feeling as lost as I was, they might benefit from them. It is easy to lose yourself in despair.
Thank you for the wishes.
take care of yourself 💖
Dearest M, my hugs your way. We lost my mother-in-law and sister-in-law to covid. And sister-in-law’s husband got got discharged today after 2 weeks in hospital. So i am in very bad state past 3 weeks.
Stay strong dear ❤️ Thought of you every time i saw Delhi cases but never imagined you would effect too.
My heart goes out to you, Madhavi.
Like I said, it is not an isolated problem. We are all in it together. Some have suffered more, some barely managing to get through.
Sorry for your irreparable loss. May your loved ones who departed rest in peace 🙏
prayers for those who recovered and all those who are going through the trauma.
Stay strong.
You can count on me anytime you want someone to talk.
take care
(PS – I’m not in Delhi, thankfully. I’m in Rajasthan.)
Wish all of them speedy recovery.. truly said “u r not alone “ as in my household I have gone through similar situation.. thanks for beautiful input / schedule
We have all been through the difficult phase Puspita. Hope things are fine at your place, now.
lots of good wishes
Take care
Times are so difficult for all of us di, I am just hoping that everything gets all right soon, till then we have to protect ourselves and loved ones. Take measures, precautions, take care of our personal physical and mental health.
You are really strong to get through all of this. Hats off to you….It’s really hard when things get out of our control in this crucial time of pandemic when we have our loved ones suffering from it.
Phone calls are the most scariest when at the odd hours or any random nos. I am always praying before picking it up.
May god bless all of us, hope we come out of this, strong and healthy. We survive this.
Thank you di for writing this to us even after all of this. All my wishes and prayers are with you and all of those who are going through the same. 🙏🙏
May lord protect all of us ❤
I hope your parents, sisters and cousins are well now.
We all will be okay and fine! ✊
Thank you for the wishes and prayers, Tanvie.
My prayers with you and your loved ones.
Like you said, we will all be okay 💖💖
Oh my di … I’ve been thur this will keep ur family in prayer and may they recover soon .❤️
Thank you dear. They are recovering. Hoping for the best 🤞