Has Quarantine helped me?

We have found ourselves in a recent situation which is hard to get your head around. That is known as the Coronavirus Quarantine. But has this lockdown helped me and others? Has it had a kind of positive effect on people? 

Since the end of March, we have been introduced to Quarantine life. It wasn’t planned and it wasn’t expected but it came and is still here. What is this lockdown for and why are we all being restricted on what we can do and where we can go?

Some of these restrictions are; 

• Affects on travelling within the EU.
• When entering into a different country you must self isolate for 14 days.
• Only use public transport if you have no other option. 
• Stay 2 metres apart from other people.
• Wear a face mask when out travelling or going to the shops that covers your nose and mouth.

The restrictions have stopped many people from working, from leaving their own homes and not being able to see friends or family that are not in the household. For me, this has affected when I see my Grandparents on a Thursday to help them go weekly shopping!

There are worse cases out there than mine but it’s still hard not seeing your own grandparents all of a sudden. The Coronavirus is believed to have started from a "Wet Market" in Wuhan, which in other words is a market that sells both dead and live animals.

How has it affected the area I live in? Well, we are limited to where we can go and what we can do. We’re not allowed to see our friends and we’re not allowed to go out on days out like I normally go for a drive with my dad but we haven’t been on one for months! 

But, I believe everything happens for a reason, right? So, the way I look at it is that this virus has helped us to appreciate the little things like what’s on our doorstep! The beautiful walks I have been on since this lockdown started have been truly amazing! This is why I believe Quarantine has helped me to improve my mental state and improved my anxiety of going out in my local area. 

One of my favourite walks has been to visit the local horse sanctuary. Visiting the horses there has really built my confidence to get out more but has also grown my relationship with my mum to become closer.

During Quarantine too I have also grown a closer bond with members at TWE, as everyone is finding more time to work within the team- it has let me get to know the newbies too! 

This has taught me that I should never take anything for granted ever again! Appreciate the small things and count myself lucky for where I am today and who I have become as there are other people in worse situations than me!

So yes, it has helped me but it has also helped many others grow that bond they might have lost with their parents, children or friends that are living in their household as they might have had a busy routine with work and not enough time to spend quality time with them.

• Mel