Tag Archives: wheelchair

I Stay Home for. . . Us

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You may or may not have seen this new trending challenge circulating social media: #IStayHomeFor. To me, this stands as a reminder of how important social distancing is to everyone’s health during this time. When you think of who you stay home for, maybe you think of the workers who can’t stay home; restaurant workers, grocery store clerks, medical professionals. Maybe you think of your dearest friends or family members. No matter who comes to mind, at any moment, any one of us could fall victim to the Coronavirus. I have decided that I stay home not only for you, but for me.

In only a short time, this illness has become frighteningly widespread. Even if you haven’t shown symptoms, you could unknowingly have the virus right now. You could then pass on it to someone more at risk of falling deathly ill to it. By prioritizing our own health, we could be saving the lives of many. It is never the wrong time to indulge in self-care, but now more than ever, we must simply take care of bodies. So, I have compiled the best self-care tips to help us get through these dreadful days.

1. Get up!

This means exactly what it sounds like. The first step to having a healthy lifestyle is to simply start your day. Wake up, get dressed, and have something for breakfast. In quarantine it is still important that your body gets sunlight and fresh air as much as possible. To get fresh air, consider opening some windows. If you can, spend some time outside! Get out for a walk or run. As easy as it is to use this time to sleep or stay on the couch all day, it is important that you try to at least move positions every once in a while. Their are various workouts, specifically that I follow, that can even be done sitting! In times of being stuck inside, these are simple yet sufficient enough to get your blood flowing. Start your morning by feeling ready to take on the rest of the day.

2. Treat yourself!

We all deserve to treat ourselves to rejuvenating self-care routines. To all my female friends, this could mean using a face mask or running a bath. To add an extra element of relaxation, you could light some candles. Every so often I like to use calming essential oils such as lavender or rose oil. Next, dress up as if you’re going out even if you’re not! Put on your makeup or paint your nails. Personally, this is how I’ve felt a sense of glee over the course of this past week.

3. Eat up!

The best way to treat yourself is to eat up! Right now it is important that we get proper nutrients as much as possible. My favorites snacks right now have been mixed fruit bowls or smoothies. Additionally, baking is both great in order to get sweet treats and a fun way to pass time in isolation. When you just don’t want to cook a meal, or if want to save up your supply of food, I think right now is a great opportunity to utilize food service apps and support these workers.

4. Find entertainment

This all depends on personal interests, but there are many ways to stay entertained while at home. The most popular now, and just a couple that interest me, are to binge Nextflix shows and listen to your favorite music. Many people have enjoyed crafts, others have solved puzzles. A great family activity to participate in is to play card games together. When you are alone you could read, or of course my personal favorite, write. Don’t dwell on these unfortunate circumstances that we have found ourselves in and don’t waste the day away. Our options for fun activities to do at home are endless!

5. Stick to your normal routine

Whatever your typical everyday routine was before this quarantine, stick to it! Maybe for you it was to clean, maybe you had work. If you have school, you might be adjusting to online classes. As someone who studies online, I will say that it is important to pace yourself, don’t overwork and stress yourself out. While you are stuck at home, be sure to continue to keep in contact with your loved ones. Whether through phone calls, texts, FaceTime, or social media, we don’t have to spend this time feeling alone! As you always should, practice good hygiene, wash your hands. Also, it’s always a healthy practice to make sure that you’re drinking plenty of water and getting enough sleep. The sooner everyone can come together and participate in social distancing, the easier we can slow the spread of this sickness. Throughout this time, if you find that you are anxious, try meditation music or videos and limit your news intake so that you don’t become overwhelmed. We must stay calm and carry on.

Together at home, we can overcome Coronavirus. The most important thing we can do right now is socially distance. Stay motivated and do not lose sight of why we must take care of ourselves in order to protect others. When you ask yourself, “who do I stay home for?”, think of all of humanity, including yourself. Stay home for us.

My Second Home

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I have taken many trips to this place ever since I was a young girl. I rejoice in calling it my “second home”. Over the span of many years, I was able to familiarize myself with the space. Here you are accompanied by your neighbor’s murmurs, the cries of nameless voices circulating through the halls. I get a room all to myself with a beautiful view of the city lights. Most of everything in my room is dressed purely in ivory. The bed, the sheets, my pillow. The tile floor, the ceiling, and all four walls. I find comfort in the reclined bed, under the crisp, cool sheets. At this time I don’t sleep for long, knowing I’ll have another visitor soon.

When one of my visitors enters my room, they kindly greet me, and I graciously greet them back. I’m connected to multiple wires and monitors, all performing as they must in order heal me. So, they begin to repeat the same steps that they did just hours before, and that they will in another two. They observe the screen next to me, then ask me how I’m feeling. Sometimes I stubbornly pretend to be asleep, but they always graciously check on me before allowing me to get more rest. With one hand atop my warm forehead and the other pressed into my aching side, sleep does not come easy to me. For the moment, I remember why I’m here. Yet with the lulling sounds of water droplets nearby, I quickly succumb to sleep.
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The next time I’m awoken, golden rays of sun beam through my window. Another one of my visitors stops by. This hospitable person never fails to bring me meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, even if my stomach can’t bear to eat them.

Shortly thereafter the same visitor from the night before returns. This time they present to me a chart that shows a range of faces. They tell me to choose which one best describes how I’m feeling. Although I know they simply want to help me, I’m always shy in my answer. Even with hot sweats and chills alternating throughout my body, I always wear the best smile I can, as I give them my fabricated answer.

Mindlessly focusing on the tube connected to my forearm, I recall just how it was placed there the night before. It’s never an easy experience, but I have to remember that it’s to help me. Catching my attention, they inform me that I can expect another night’s stay, before leaving me alone once again.
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I have other visitors occasionally, all my loved ones. They always look down at me with sympathetic looks, as if I’m fragile, ready to break at any given moment. They tell me to “get well soon” . From what my face may tell them, I am weak. But how I continue to see it, it’s no battle I haven’t fought and won before. This feeling is temporary. I just need fixing, and soon I will be well again.
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Most fear this place, but not I. I have no objection in going to a heavenly place of healing. Days have gone by and now I’m replenished. They say I may return home. After thanking them, I insist that it won’t be long until I’ll be back for another visit. Soon I am taking one last glance of the place as we drive off, further out of the city, further away from my dear second home.
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I never wanted to admit that I ever felt any form of pain in those rooms. Truthfully, I was seemingly never without physical pain from these unrelenting sicknesses. Fortunately, I could always count on this spot as my haven. That place was the only scene at which I could seek full recovery. In recent years, I haven’t needed to pay them a visit. I don’t know when I’ll be back, but until next time, I remember all my past trips to that beloved building that I still call my second home, the hospital downtown.
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