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What to do during a lockdown in Ireland

This is a scary time in Ireland, there is a lot of uncertainty. People are unsure about what to do during a lockdown or how this will turn out over the next few weeks. An important thing we can all do for each other right now is to stay calm and remember to have empathy for people around us. People are clearing shelves in Supermarkets and buying suspicious amounts of toilet rolls.

We need to remember that Supermarkets will stay open and food supplies will be kept open. when we panic buy out of fear, the people we really hurt are the most vulnerable.

The Government has closed the Schools in Ireland to help reduce the spread of the Coronavirus and now they have closed the Pubs so you know it’s getting serious. They hope to reduce the number of people infected and not overload the Health System in Ireland which is already under pressure.

What to do during a lockdown
Covid-19

We should all read the Health service Executives information on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) this will give us solid fact-based information. Don’t believe Facebook memes or Instagram posts.

I would recommend reading up about the difference in Self-isolation and Self-quarantine. There is a big difference and it will impact how you live your life right now.

Here is a quick breakdown:

  • Self-quarantine means avoiding contact with other people and social situations as much as possible. You will need to do this if you are in close contact of a confirmed case of coronavirus and you are still well. Self-quarantine is to stop other people from getting coronavirus.
  • Self-isolation means staying indoors and completely avoiding contact with other people. You will need to do this if you have symptoms of coronavirus. This is to stop other people from getting it.

You will need to self-isolate:

  • if you have symptoms of coronavirus
  • before you get tested for coronavirus
  • while you wait for test results if you have had a positive test result for coronavirus

What to do?

With all that said the majority of us have been asked to socially distance ourselves for the good of society and we should all get on board.

What is social distancing?

  • Put simply, the idea is to maintain a distance between you and other people. In this case, at least a metre. That also means minimizing contact with people. Avoid public transportation whenever possible, limit nonessential travel, work from home and skip social gatherings — and definitely do not go to crowded bars.

What to do during a Lockdown?

If you are happy you are social distancing yourself and are looking for things to do, there is no reason you can’t be sensible and get outside and enjoy what it has to offer.

The next few weeks are going to be a tough time for everybody and staying inside looking at the four walls is not going to do your body or mental health any good. So get out and use your meat machine, especially if you have kids.

Things you can do to keep your self occupied:

  • Go for a walk at your local Beach
  • Go to your local Forest or lake
  • Explore your local area, see places that are right under your nose
  • Learn a new skill
  • Start reading that booking you have on the shelf
  • Start Yoga
  • Do a workout at home
  • Climb a Mountain or Hill
  • Walk a Trail
  • Check on a neighbour
  • Volunteer your time to the needy
  • Do that project you have had no time for

The list is endless.

I hope this has given you some knowledge and inspiration to get out and about during this difficult time.

Please remember to stick together during this time even if it is a metre apart.

The Wandering Irishman

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Running for life

Growing Up I was never really sporty and if I was really honest with my self I would say I was overweight. Not obese but enough that other kids noticed and that is never fun.

” I was overweight because my parents fed me too much and I didn’t exercise enough. “

I was overweight because my parents fed me too much and I didn’t exercise enough. I was lucky growing up because we grow our own vegetables and we had our freezer full of our own animals so we had good healthy food and it was delicious so I got fat. later on, into my teens, I realised I needed to do something so I lost a bit of weight and I felt good about myself.

When I was about 18 I joined up for my first run it was a 5km and I absolutely loved it. it was the start of my running career and I haven’t stopped since.

“I was running better and I was enjoying it more because of the training I was putting in. “

I have been doing one or two events a year usually a 10km since then, so although I enjoyed it I never really invested a lot of time into it. then in 2017, I decided to up my game and I started running more consistently. I ran a couple of events in 2017 mainly 10 km but I was running better and I was enjoying it more because of the training I was putting in.

Then in 2018, I fell off my Motorbike and broke a few bones so I didn’t do as much running as I would have liked but still got in Turf Warrior in Galway which is an obstacle race. I got in a 5km, 10km and I was meant to do the Clonakilty half marathon but my Mam got sick and I couldn’t go down so I did it on a treadmill instead(Not the same I know).

In 2019 I really upped my Running, I felt like I had missed out a lot from the previous year so I wanted to make up for it so I ran

  • Run A Muck
  • 10km Road
  • Tintern Abbey 8Km
  • Wexford 10KM
  • Viking Qtr Marathon
  • Stone Mad 10 Mile
  • Hell and Back
  • Greenway Half
  • Clonakilty Half

I had a good year of running and I enjoyed every second of it especially the hard times. I think it was during this year that I realised how much I need Running. I can easily wander and get distracted in life and I constantly need a compass pointing me in a direction and running gives me that. Even when life is not going to plan and things are falling apart I still have running to remind me to stick to the plan and keep working hard and move forward.

“there is no lying in running”

I love the challenge running brings to my life and the simplicity of it. there is no lying in running you can either run the distance or you cant.

I need challenges in my life especially physical ones. I find that if I slip into a routine where I don’t challenge myself physically I get into a rut and life becomes monotonous and boring and I get to a place where I don’t want to be. you learn the most from yourself when you’re challenging yourself. This is where true learning and development comes from. learning doesn’t come from just plodding along in life, you have to get up and rise to the challenge, not just in running but in work and relationships too.

Some of the best memories I have are of the times I had the hardest challenges.

” Get out and use your meat machine, if you invest in it now it will pay dividends later “

The name of this post is running for life and by that I mean, running gives me life. The energy I use when I’m training is given back to me in my self-esteem, dignity, self-worth and my overall energy levels. I cannot stress this enough, get out and use your meat machine, if you invest in it now it will pay dividends later on in life when you will be healthier and happier and probably richer because of potential future medical bills. if you hadn’t of looked after it.

I hope you enjoyed this post. the subject means a lot to me.

Shane