There’s a lot of concern and uncertainty around right now, and quite understandably so. Overnight, the world has been gripped by a pandemic that none of us have ever experienced before.
We’re all in lockdown. We’re all having to follow social distancing rules. We’re all not going to work as we usually would. We’re all having to live and breathe something that’s totally alien to us. We’re all wondering when it’s going to end.
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, anxious and depressed by what’s happening right now, so here are 6 positive stories to help make you feel better for the next five minutes:
POSITIVE STORY #1: Motivational pegs offer message of hope
Alan Ayris, from Whitwick in Leicestershire, has written positive messages on pegs and left them in woodland to give people a lift during the coronavirus outbreak. He says he’s done it to help anyone who might be struggling with their mental health at the moment.
POSITIVE STORY #2: The Himalayas become visible for the first time in years
According to CNN, locals in the Punjab region of India have been able to see the Himalayas for the first time in decades due to reduced levels of pollution since India’s been in lockdown. Delhi’s also believed to have experienced a 44% reduction in air pollution levels.
POSITIVE STORY #3: Dressing up to put out your rubbish has become the norm!
Getting dressed up to take out the trash has become a sport for people cooped up by Coronavirus lockdowns, and they don’t care if you think it’s crazy. These random moments are being called Bin Isolation Outings and can be found all over Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
POSITIVE STORY #4: People have been showing their light-hearted sides
A woman in Kidderminster was spotted taking her dog for a walk in a T-Rex costume. And there have been lots of stories about postmen and women, who have been donning fancy dress to help brighten up people’s days. Lots of fancy dress video meetings have been taking place too.
POSITIVE STORY #5: Runner completes washing line marathon in his back yard
A Cumbrian man has completed a marathon by running lengths of his back garden. Ian Puckie Spriggs ran the distance of his washing line 13,100 times. He had been training for a 100-mile event that looks likely to be cancelled, so this was his way of carrying on his training and continuing to raise money for his chosen charity.
POSITIVE STORY #6: Captain Tom Moore passes £23m in NHS fundraising
No positive stories recap is complete without mentioning the unbelievable achievements of Capt Tom Moore. At the last count, he’d raised a staggering £23million for the NHS. He originally intended to raise just £1,000 for NHS Charities Together by completing 100 laps of his garden before his 100th birthday.
PS: Capt Moore also reportedly received a whopping 25,000 birthday cards from wellwishers on his birthday too – how heartwarming is that?!
6 positive quotes to remember every day:
1. Every situation is temporary. When things are good, enjoy it fully. When they’re not so good, know that better days are on the way – Jenni Young.
2. When you can’t find sunshine, be the sunshine – unknown.
3. Every day is a new beginning. Take a deep breath, smile and start again – Leslie O’Brien Novak.
4. One small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day – Dalai Lama.
5. Tough times never last, but tough people too – Robert Schuller.
6. There is hope, even when your brain tells you there isn’t – John Green.
Are there any stories or quotes you’ve come across that have made you smile or made you feel more positive?
Let me know by emailing me at sanina@skcopyco.com and I’ll add them to this list. In the meantime, here’s one last thing that’s guaranteed to make you, and others, feel better – random acts of kindness – give them a go.