South Africa - Sanity during Self-Isolation - Covid 19

Hang On Tight 

South Africa is now in Lock-Down (26/03/2020) due to Covid 19. For  us, as outdoor loving citizens, this is indeed punishment to be endured for the safety of all. It will soon become the new "norm" and hopefully all will abide by the stringent regulations set by our President Cyril Ramaphosa. So hold on tight!

Explore some of the tips outlined below, courtesy of Andre.

The Reset Guide to Self-Isolation Sanity

By Andre

Wednesday, March 25th, 2020

With the whole world facing the unprecedented challenge of Coronavirus and Covid-19, many things are unclear. It’s easy to spiral into fear and anxiety, especially as we isolate and distance ourselves more.

We’re working from home now, and one thing has become very clear. Mental fortitude will be essential for us to pull through. There are a few simple measures we can all implement to make life easier during this time. We have compiled a basic guide to strike a healthy balance for body, mind and soul, during our time at home.

1. Routine and Structure

Firstly, an overarching principle, if we are all set to spend much more time at home, good routine will be essential. It will prevent our time from simply sprawling and form the basis of our other beneficial measures and steps.

The simple repetition of routine can be a great comfort in uncertain times. It can provide stability and helps us get back on track.

A simple way to start building your routine is with pen and paper. List the daily activities you wish to do. When you are satisfied with the list, allocate times to fit them into your day.

Remember, managing your routine and time should become one of your daily tasks. Doing his helps to reinforce your plan and to adapt and grow it as you go. From there, plan your week and add different activities for each day for further variety and balance.

A ‘not to do list’ is a good idea during this time. Things like compulsive snacking while we spend more time at home can creep into our routine. A key behaviour we must avoid now is spiralling into negative news and speculation.

This time is an opportunity to be more intentional in our activities and to work on our personal growth.

Routine ideas and resources:

·        Make a ‘not-to-do’ list of behaviours to avoid

·        Plan standard tasks for every day

·        Plan unique tasks for different days of the week

·        Keep to treating weekdays and weekends differently

2. Social Contact

Naturally, our key concern in this time of self-isolation is loneliness. This is an issue we increasingly deal with regardless of the current pandemic – and the current situation will exacerbate this.

There is no substitute for face to face contact. In our current circumstances, virtual contact is still a great source of comfort. Speaking to friends or loved ones regularly is essential.

Structure contact with your friends and loved ones by making it a point to check in daily. Perhaps schedule recurring calls or video calls. This can remain and become one of the positive legacy elements of the coronavirus pandemic.

Socialising ideas:

·        Cook together either with your co-habitants or on a video call

·        Get the kids to do a play or recital on a video call

·        Reach out to old friends – check if they are ok

3. Unplugging

Just as we have to ensure we spend time with friends and loved ones, we have to ensure we have time away from the virus. The overwhelming media and news coverage will likely grow louder.

The pandemic seems to touch every aspect of life, and it can be hard to ignore for even a minute. We’ll actively need to remove ourselves from its grip.

Key to this is not to allow ourselves open-ended media access. Schedule news downtime or even better schedule limited news time. Switch off your tv and phone for proper peace and repurpose this time.

Unplugging ideas and resources:

·        Set a daily window for news

·        Limit the amount of open-ended time spent on phones and tablets

4. Movement and Exercise

As we self-isolate and distance ourselves from others the space, we have to move in shrinks. A degree of atrophy seems inevitable. Exercise is not only important for our morale but good for health and immunity.

Those that have access to uncrowded outdoor space, can take advantage of this for fresh air or walks. However, many others are more homebound. Either way, we should gear our minds to get good exercise during this time.

There are many great resources for home exercise, even without any equipment. Yoga, stretching, Tai chi and bodyweight training are all great options.

Exercise resources:

·        Check out the Body Coach’s 10 Minute Home workout For Seniors

·        We love the Downdog Yoga app and they have a bunch of other exercise apps too. They have made these free for the next few weeks

·        The Nike Training Club is a great app with many options, including workouts without equipment

·        Search YouTube for the kind of fitness instruction that interest you – like learn basic Tai Chi

5. Staying Productive

We have all been stunned a bit by the sudden change in circumstances. There’s also a torrent of new information constantly coming at us. Naturally, we would lose momentum on productivity.

If one considers the damage to the economy and savings, it makes sense that we try to stimulate as much productivity during this time as possible.

Those who have been freelancers or consultants will likely have a good idea of what they could do now. Others will need to be resourceful to find paid opportunities.

Paid productivity is ideal, but many unpaid forms of productivity will have significant benefit too, especially as we need to be more self-reliant during this time. The cooking, cleaning, maintenance and repair of our homes and their contents mostly fall on us now.

Productivity resources:

·        Identify one meaningful project or key work stream to undertake during this time

·        Explore what skills you have that can be delivered remotely. Explore the gig platforms like Upwork and Fiverr

·        Take over some the tasks you normally outsource, like cooking and cleaning

·        Take on home maintenance or repair projects – most of us have a string of things we’ve meaning to get fixed

6. Air and Breathing

Spending more time indoors can leave us feeling boxed in and depressed. Good air and breathing is a proven health benefit. One can get air by simply getting out (if that’s safe to do) or try enhanced breathing exercises or even meditation and mindfulness.

Breathing resources:

·        Try guided breathing tutorials on YouTube, like this one by Wim Hof

·        Try mindfulness apps like Calm and Headspace, not only for breathing but general relaxation and improved sleep too

7. Self-improvement

One benefit we have during this time is… time. Wouldn’t it be great to come out on the other side of this with new skills and knowledge?

Now is a great time for reading and learning online. This could be through courses like Masterclass or just YouTube, where one can learn almost anything these days by searching the topic.

Self-improvement resources:

·        Read! Revisit some of the books you have at home.

·        Read classics and other books in the public domain – download these as free ebooks from libraries like Project Gutenberg

·        Masterclass offers many great courses by some of the world’s most accomplished leaders from various fields.

·        TED offers video talks on fascinating subjects by experts from all over the world.

·        Search on YouTube for specific skills you wish to learn. For example How to write a screenplay

·        Udemy offers over 100,000 online courses.

8. Entertainment and Armchair Exploration

Rather than grazing a mix of entertainment and news, be intentional and take in great quality entertainment and information. We can take the time to really listen to music as an activity in and of itself. This is a powerful way to improve mood.

All the regular entertainment channels are available along with many new ones that are being made free during this time. For example, the Metropolitan Opera cannot host live productions now, so they are streaming recorded operas for free. See the link below.

The internet allows us to explore many wonderful things from our homes! Google Arts and Culture offers virtual tours of many of the world’s best museums. And Google Earth has virtual tours we can take too.

Entertainment and armchair exploration resources:

·        You can listen to just about any song you have ever heard on streaming platforms like Spotify or Apple Music

·        Treat your home like a cinema and block off time to watch great movies and series

·        Explore the world’s best museums on Google Arts and Culture

·        13 Breathtaking virtual tours on Google Earth

·        Explore the vastness of space with Google Sky

·        The Met Opera free live audio stream

·        Acclaimed chef Massimo Bottura has started a free cooking show called “Kitchen Quarantine” on Instagram

·        Browse some the best stand up comedy specials ever

9. Familiar Comforts

Many of our familiar comforts lie outside our homes. However, we can still find comfort in the ones that are homebound. Listening to music favourites, reminiscing with old photo albums or eating some of our favourite treats can all help us feel more at ease during this time.

Familiar comfort resources:

·        Relive vacations or other milestones by browsing through photos and share them with loved ones

·        Fix a time for your favourite warm drink

10. Playfulness

So much of what we’re currently contemplating is very serious. It’s important that we grant ourselves moments of levity.

Let’s encourage playfulness. Kids should build forts. Adults should share jokes. Pet’s should be given attention.

Playfulness resources:

·        Make silly videos to cheer up loved ones

·        Use the good china. Drink the single malt you have been saving for a special occasion

11. Get Creative

The confines of our homes are only as small as our imaginations. Creativity can be a wonderful outlet and a way to take our minds places. An absorbing creative activity can put us in an ultra-satisfying flow state for hours.

Creativity resources:

·        Take up morning pages – many of the world’s most creative people swear by it

·        Learn creative techniques on YouTube – like how to draw

12. Sleep

Sleeping Seal - Kalk Bay Cape Town

More and more research suggests that we cannot overestimate the value of sleep. When it comes to our health and general well-being – even strengthening our immune systems, sleep is essential.

Without as many rigid and early appointments currently, we should maximize our nightly sleep and even work in some naps.

Sleep resources:

·        Search for expert advice on how to get a good night’s sleep

·        Cut off the disruptive white light of phones and tablets a few hours before bedtime.

·        Listen to audiobooks rather than look at screens in bed

·        Listen to sleep-enhancing apps like Calm

13. Smile

These are tough times and fear can bring out the worst in people. If you find yourself in an abrasive social situation, remember that many people are just scared at the moment. Being patient and spreading kindness will help maintain our greatest asset, our social fabric.

Many of us will spend much more time with our partners and co-habitants in this time. Normally we can take time apart to cool off tension. Without that option, we must be more considerate.

Research shows that smiling can make us happier whether we like it or not. And it’s contagious too.

Let’s all be as kind as possible.

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                For Accommodation Cape Town, South Africa

                                      www.bradclin.com

Cape Town - Yoshi - our famous Loggerhead Turtle

Loggerhead turtle's journey tracked 37,000km from Cape Town in South Africa to Australia

An 180 kilogram turtled named Yoshi has excited scientists, who tracked her remarkable journey halfway around the world after she was released from 20 years in captivity.

Key points:

• Scientists have tracked a loggerhead turtle from South Africa to the West Australian coast over the past two years
• Scientists think Yoshi may be have been hatched in Australia, and she is returning home
• An aquarium in Cape Town believes it's the first recorded movement of a sea turtle between Africa and Australia

It's believed the loggerhead turtle may be Australian, after she made a determined 37,000-kilometre swim across the Indian Ocean to a turtle nesting site on Western Australia's Pilbara coastline.

Scientists, who began tracking her journey from Cape Town two years ago, believe Yoshi may have wanted to return to her original hatching site to breed and nest.

Sabrina Fossette, a research scientist from WA's Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, said it was very exciting.

"This turtle spent 20 years in captivity and still, you put her in the water and she suddenly remembers she probably has something to do on the other side of the ocean and just starts crossing it," Dr Fossette said.

WA scientists will next week attempt to locate the turtle, to obtain biopsy samples to determine her origin, check her health, and to replace the satellite tracking device, which is nearing the end of its life.

"This satellite has been working for two years but might stop at any time, particularly when the turtle is close to the shore," Dr Fossette said.

'She crept into everybody's hearts'

Yoshi arrived at Cape Town's Two Oceans Aquarium after crew on a Japanese fishing boat found her with a damaged shell.

"They contacted the aquarium to ask if we could please come and fetch this little turtle," aquarium chief executive Maryke Musson said.

"At the time, the aquarium had only been open for two years, so we did not really anticipate keeping sea turtles on display.

"We did not know all that much, but she crept into everybody's hearts, and settled down really quickly.

"And she had an enormous personality."

The aquarium staff learned a lot about caring for injured turtles from Yoshi, but soon also started getting requests to help more and more stranded and injured turtles.

Ms Musson said the aquarium had rehabilitated and released more than 600 sea turtles in the past 10 to 12 years.

The aquarium's rehabilitation program was so successful, attention eventually turned to whether Yoshi herself should be released back into the ocean.

By then, she had grown to 180kg with many decades of life still potentially ahead of her.

"She was coming to an age when she was probably sexually mature and we were wondering whether she would actually adjust back to life in the wild," Ms Musson said.

Other large turtles were rehabilitated and released successfully, so the aquarium decided to prepare Yoshi for release — with a strict exercise regime.

'Incredible journey'

Ms Musson said aquarium staff encouraged Yoshi to swim 20m lengths as part of her training.

"Early on, we actually trained her to feed on a target, because she quickly caught on that she was getting food from divers, so she actually started harassing anybody in her big exhibit," she said.

"So by training her on a target, it allowed us to do any sort of investigation, have a quick look at her, give her a health check up, and then of course get her to move around in the exhibit, chasing a target.

"We actually called it 'Yoshi tennis'.

"We would have two divers in the exhibit, one on either side, and she would swim these lengths, which was 20m across every day for a little treat."

The training continued for 18 months, until December 2017 when, after a farewell party, aquarium staff working with South Africa's Department of Environmental Affairs fitted Yoshi with a satellite tag and released her 30 nautical miles off Cape Town.

"[We] put her back in the ocean, waved goodbye, and she swam off," Ms Musson said.

"Since then we've been following her and it's been an incredible journey.

"We had no idea where she was heading, because of course we had no idea from which loggerhead population she was from."

Yoshi's big swim

Yoshi spent her first year swimming up the west coast of Africa, to Angola, before turning around and returning to Cape Town. Then she headed across the Indian Ocean for Australia.

"We are thrilled because of course she's protected over there. There are lots of sea turtles, and it seems as though there is a lot of food for her to eat," Ms Musson said.

"And what's also incredible is the interest — by everybody."

The aquarium contacted the WA Government, and its scientists then started watching Yoshi too.

Currently, Yoshi is just off the Pilbara coast near Point Samson.

"It looks like she might actually be foraging," Dr Fossette said.

"She's been swimming around in a smallish area for two days now and she's very, very close to the coast.

"Now that she's actually stopped we think we can give it a go and try to jump on a boat and try to find her and maybe even catch her."

"We think we will give it a go but we need to be a bit lucky to find her. But who knows?"

Dr Fossette said if Yoshi was an Australian turtle, she was in the right place, close to a known turtle nesting site.

"She's a bit late for this nesting season, so she probably won't nest this year, and anyway after swimming 37,000 kilometres, you probably need to feed a little bit and eat a little bit and put on some weight before laying eggs," she said.

"Maybe next next year or the year after."

Yoshi gathers support on her journey

Ms Musson said Yoshi's journey had been followed, and celebrated, around the world.

She said it was believed to be the first recorded movement of a sea turtle between Africa and Australia.

Yoshi also navigated, and survived, hazards such as plastic pollution, fishing gear and vessels, swimming around 50km a day.

"It's a very impressive distance for a turtle her size," Ms Musson said.

"When we released her she was 180kg, which is on the bigger side for an adult loggerhead.

"I think it's helped her a lot, it's kept her safe and she's strong.

"We are incredibly proud of what she's done and what she's achieved thus far."

Topics: marine-parks, marine-biology, animal-behaviour, animals, exmouth-6707, ningaloo-6701, karratha-6714, south-africa

First posted Fri at 11:12pm

ABC Pilbara 

By Karen Michelmore

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bradclinphotography

                For Accommodation Cape Town, South Africa

                                      www.bradclin.com