A Wonderful World

Since the first lockdown in March, 'home workouts' have become extremely popular.   With the pandemic leading to lockdown, gyms suddenly closing and those working in the fitness industry taking a hit, working out from home has not only become an alternative to the gym, but a new way of continuing business. Proving that you don't need a gym to move your body, or to look after your body and mind. During Lockdown, as well as working to continue online personal training and zoom sessions, many established fitness influencers have used the Social Media app 'Instagram' to share 'Live Workouts' where followers can watch and follow along with their workout live from home. A lot of influencers have used these 'Live Workouts' via Instagram to support themselves with a form of income, sharing information about a monthly or weekly cost for the workouts and then allowing access to an account where the lives then take place. However, others are sharing them for fr

' WHATEVER YOU'RE GOING THROUGH, CALL US ANYTIME FOR FREE. WE'RE HERE TO LISTEN' BOTH IN AND OUT OF LOCKDOWN, SAMARITANS ARE COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING AND HELPING THOSE IN NEED. 'Samaritans' is a registered charity aimed at providing confidential support to anyone in need, distress, struggling to cope, needs someone to listen without pressure or judgement, or for anyone at risk of suicide throughout United Kingdom and Ireland. Although their support was available prior to Covid19, due to both lockdown and the challenges the virus has raised, their demand has increased and the constant support that the volunteers and charity offer is to be both recognised and praised. They are there to talk anytime, to support mental health, loneliness and difficulties in isolation. Although not a religious organisation, the charity was founded by a vicar named  Chad Varah  in London in 1953. As a vicar he offered counselling to his parishioners, but wanted to do something more spe

'LOVE IN LOCKDOWN SERIES: GIVING AND SELFLESS ACTS THROUGHOUT LOCKDOWN'  ' VITAL MEALS IS A NEW NON-PROFIT VENTURE SET UP IN RESPONSE TO THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC' Ayesha Pakravan-Ovey, 26 and from London, began as the owner of 'The Plattery', a catering service set up in 2019 in London, offering platters and food boxes made by professional chefs with a fresh take on grazing tables, coming together with homemade and exciting food. As the catering company was hit by Covid19, Ayesha decided to continue to support her community and tackle food poverty. In Lockdown, Ayesha launched 'Vital Meals', and their ' Parcel to Plate ' service, collecting food parcels from doors and delivering fresh, home cooked meals in return. She came up with the idea to help the vulnerable during this challenging time, cooking meals in her own home before moving to a bigger kitchen, and delivering them. All to ensure those who need support still have access to nutritious

'Give a little, help a lot.' Before I start my new series 'Love in Lockdown', sharing stories of how others are selflessly helping others throughout this time, I thought I would share how I am doing the same, the work of charities and how we can all do our bit to help out. Coronavirus has no doubt impacted all of our lives, from a change of routine, experiencing anxiety, rules and regulations, unemployment, fighting over toilet roll and pasta, lockdowns, and lack of communication and freedom. We are all experiencing our own personal challenges amongst this unexpected global storm. It's during these times that both caring for ourselves and others is more than essential for both physical and mental health. Checking in on ourselves of course, but also giving what we can to others. That's where the glorious work of charities is to be recognised. Although there are multiple larger charities here in the UK, (Macmillan Cancer Support, British Heart Foundation, St John

'In these challenging times, kindness is needed more than ever.'   Each year, 'World Kindness day' is celebrated on the 13th of November . Of course, kindness goes a long way whenever and wherever in life, really kindness day is everyday. But rather than the day being the one day we give, it's more about a day of reminding ourselves the power of kindness, humanity, giving and celebrating what even small acts of kindness can do for both the giver and receiver. Kindness is free to give and priceless to receive. With today being 'World Kindness Day' and Covid19 having its impact on the world globally, kindness is particularly essential in caring for both ourselves and others, positivity, love and support. With the current circumstances affecting us all, any act of kindness, no matter how small, can assist both comfort and community amongst this whirlwind. With acts of kindness comes a feel good feeling for the individual receiving and for someone who gives, in

'Although we may not all be in the same boat, we are all in the same storm'   Although a second lockdown is no plain sailing for any of us, we are all in the same storm of what we now know to be 'Coronavirus', a 'global pandemic' or 'Covid19'. That's something to be reassured by in this chaos, you are not alone.  However, the boats we sail through this storm in, are all different. Some boats are sturdier than others, despite the storm being the same. Everyone has their own battles throughout this challenging time and it has affected us all in a variety of ways. But, the important thing to remember is a second lockdown means we made it through a first, and there is no doubt we can make it through again. There is no 'perfect' way of living through a lockdown, we all have own our coping mechanisms, circumstances and preferences, but in having experienced a lockdown back earlier in the year, we can reflect and think about what wasn't helpful

‘Perhaps the butterfly is proof that you can go through a great deal of darkness and still become something beautiful’ – Beau Taplin.  Coronavirus and it's rising cases has brought our country to a point of a difficult decision, the thing is, unfortunately there is no 'right' or 'perfect' way to tackle this pandemic as we do not yet have the vaccine or magic powers to make it all go away. It's about managing and saving as many lives as we can. Reducing cases, yet also working to maintain the economy, stability and caring for our mental and physical health as much as possible. It's now in the known that Prime Minister Boris Johnson has made the choice to enter a second lockdown of at least a month, and as overwhelming and frustrating as this is, it's the decision that has been made and we now have to stick to in order to hopefully reduce the cases. Of course without the vaccine we cannot yet remove the virus completely, but in sticking to the proposed gui