Tag Archives: coronavirus

Dec11

Lil Red’s Book Club: Lucy By The Sea By Elizabeth Strout Edition

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Lil Red’s Book Club: Lucy By The Sea By Elizabeth Strout Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of Lil Red’s Book Club! Without giving any spoilers away, as always, we will be discussing a fantastic novel by Elizabeth Strout called Lucy By The Sea. I devoured this book in three days and my only regret is that the two hundred and eighty-eight page read wasn’t longer. I wish it could have gone on for forever and it is, easily, one of my favorite reads of 2022. It. Was. Excellent. Before we begin, I will be placing a trigger warning on Lucy By The Sea as this book has a primary focus on grief including, death, miscarriages, abuse, and mental health issues. Now, let’s get to it:

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The time is winter of 2020 and Lucy lives alone in her apartment in Manhattan. She is once divorced with two adult daughters and now freshly widowed after the passing of her beloved David. Lucy’s childhood was anything but picture perfect and her and her siblings grew up incredibly poor and suffered at the hands of their abusive mother. She drew inspiration from her sad beginning and became a famous author who just finished yet another book tour.

Once Lucy has settled back into her apartment, she learns she must leave. Her ex-husband, William, is a scientist and is deeply concerned by the Covid-19 pandemic. He insists on Lucy packing a bag and coming with him to a home rented in coastal Maine, all in the name of saving her life. He instructs their two daughters, Chrissy and Becka, who also live in the city to get out of town as well. At first, Lucy doesn’t understand why William is panicking but she learns soon enough.

Very quickly, the world as Lucy knew it begins to turn upside down and she no longer recognizes the streets she once called home when she sees the ghost town of New York City on the news. Her panic attacks and icy relationship with William also do nothing to help her settle into her new life in Maine. Lucy walks. Lucy sits. And Lucy worries. She fears for her daughters, each privately suffering in their own way. She fears for herself as she grows older and starts feeling like she is losing her mind. And, she fears for the state of the world as the pandemic continues to spiral.

Despite the impending sense of doom that blankets Lucy, everything isn’t all bad in Maine. Through kindly Bob who William rented the home from, they both begin to make friends. Lucy takes solace in her walks and chats with her new companions. And, through the hardships of her daughters, she begins to grow closer to William after being apart for so long. She has finally grown to accept this “new normal” of a life and gains a deeper understanding of her own issues both past and present. After a lifetime of sorrow, is there a happy ending waiting for Lucy? Read Lucy By The Sea to find out!

I absolutely LOVED Lucy By The Sea and it was one of the most amazing, well written books that I have read in a long time. It was, truly, a step by step walk through of the Covid-19 pandemic that touched on several key focuses including the presidency, the murder of George Floyd, the protests, and the insurrection. Reading Lucy describe these events as they unfolded felt like going back in time and it was crazy to see so many of the conversations Johnny and I had at every turn of the page.

Combining this insane time with each character working through their own grief perfectly captured the overwhelming sorrow that I felt throughout the pandemic. Every day was a day of going through the motions while providing little more than to be alone with your own thoughts. It is easy to understand why mental health issues became exasperated because everything just seemed so much more difficult to bear. You could feel this rain cloud over each person in Lucy By The Sea and it beautifully put into words all of the despair I felt myself.

Although Lucy was about forty years my senior, I related to her so much. Not only did she have her own struggles with anxiety and depression, like me, but she also failed to see herself the way other people do. This is something that I have overcome but the feelings of not being good enough crop up from time to time. Reading how Lucy began to see herself in a new light despite all of the current hardships gave the glimmer of hope that everyone was waiting for during the pandemic. The transformation was stunning and the book ended with me weeping tears of joy for this unlikely heroine who I grew to love so much.

I am going to award Lucy By The Sea with the coveted ten out of ten star rating. If the material in this book isn’t too upsetting, then I cannot recommend or sing its praises enough. It is one of the most powerful, inspiring books that I have ever read and I think that you will love it too!

What are you currently reading? What should I read next? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

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Feb2

The Coronavirus Pandemic & Mental Health

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The Coronavirus Pandemic & Mental Health

Mental health has always been a sensitive topic. It’s equally important to physical health, but many believe otherwise. Mental health problems include anxiety, depression, insomnia, and phobias of different kinds. Earlier, people ignored these problems, but now, we know better.

Due to strong efforts by many mental health experts, the world became aware of these conditions and saw their effect on children, teenagers, and adults alike. But the number of patients shot up drastically during the pandemic.

How did the pandemic effect mental health?

People lost their loved ones to Covid, which worsened mental health across the globe. Every day felt worse than the last and it felt impossible to visit our friends and family. Everybody was scared for their lives, and fear is not good for mental health.

Companies laid off people, which increased unemployment and caused worry. Lock downs shut down schools, children were forced to stay home, work from home became a norm, and people had to live in isolation, leading to many mental health problems.

The whole situation created immense pressure in the minds of adults and children. It’s hard to recover from the tragedy of this scale. The environment of uncertainty and danger created hopelessness that’s hard to manage. All of these problems trigger mental issues such as anxiety and depression.

Are young adults depressed?

Surveys have shown that young people are more prone to mental issues due to the pandemic. According to a study of healthcare students at the University of Jordan, it is found that students are suffering from high anxiety, which can also hinder their learning abilities.

Young adults have reported a lack of sleep and a rise in negative thoughts. They crave losing masks and attending events like they were supposed to at this age. The constant fear is always there. What if this never ends? The financial risks are also to note. Colleges might be closed, making it hard for students to study and get good grades to qualify for better courses or jobs. They lack the skills taught inside colleges to make them excel in their respective fields.

Many studies point towards a global mental health crisis due to the pandemic. Young adults are prone to mental health problems like stress and anxiety. Loneliness during the pandemic has made young adults susceptible to depression.

What to do now?

Now that things are looking up, we all must work hard to get our mental health on track. Find people who face similar issues as you and talk to them. Create groups where you and your peers can share their struggles during the pandemic and afterward. Form pacts to put in efforts towards the betterment of your mental health.

These include eating healthy and exercising regularly. You can even hire a trainer who has done an offline or online PT course so that he or she is equipped with the knowledge to help you work out. Having a personal trainer allows you to learn how to get the best out of each workout session. They also suggest diets and healthy habits curb negative thoughts and promote better sleep.

Mental health issues need treatment and professional care. Schools and colleges can hire therapists to take care of students and listen to their struggles. They can also conduct group sessions with professionals to solve problems on a larger scale.

There is also nothing wrong with using medications when necessary. Severe levels of depression need selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or selective serotonin or norepinephrine inhibitors. Tetracyclic antidepressants are also recommended for depression along with bupropion. Organizations, schools, and colleges can have clinical psychologists prescribe medications.

It has always been important to take care of your mental health but even more so when living in these scary times. Be good to yourself and brighter days are ahead soon!

Nov24

All Boostered Up!

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All Boostered Up!

Hello! This past Friday, I enjoyed a much needed day off to get my hair done for the holidays. As always, my time at the Shear Shop was fabulous and the excitement of the day didn’t end when I left the salon… If you want to call getting the COVID-19 booster shot exciting, that is. Lol, but I do! After my appointment, I met up with Johnny at Walmart to get our Moderna boosters just in time for the holidays and I am so happy!

Originally, we had our booster shot appointment scheduled at CVS only to learn that they didn’t carry the Moderna booster. Luckily for us, though, Walmart had it readily available and you can schedule an appointment or just walk in for your vaccines. We went with the latter option and were on our way home in under ten minutes. 😀

Despite my eagerness to get my booster shot, I’ll be the first to admit that I was a little nervous. For those of you who don’t remember, my second shot of Moderna knocked me out for about three days and I wasn’t exactly looking forward to feeling crummy all weekend long. So, imagine my surprise when I woke up on Saturday morning not feeling completely miserable.

That’s not to say that I didn’t experience any side effects at all. On Friday night, I woke up several times in the middle of the night either feeling really hot or freezing cold. I also had a lot of tenderness in my arm and was tired all day Saturday. But that was about the worst of it and it was a vast improvement from shot number two so I’ll take it. 🙂

With the holidays fast approaching, I can’t recommend getting vaccinated enough to keep yourself and your loved ones safe while you celebrate. Do make sure that you call the location of where you’re getting vaccinated beforehand to make sure that they have your preferred vaccine available. Let’s kick COVID’s butt all together!

Shots, shots, shots, shots, shots, shots OF MODERNA!

How are you safely celebrating the holidays this year? Where did you get your COVID vaccine? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May31

Live A Healthy Lifestyle During Quarantine

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Live A Healthy Lifestyle During Quarantine

Though vaccines are now being mass-produced and administered, some start to slack when it comes to focusing on their health. Vaccines can help protect us, but they do not guarantee 100% immunity. That is why we should put extreme importance on maintaining a healthy body and lifestyle. Now that you are spending more time at home, you can use this opportunity to start devising a plan on how you can further improve your overall health and well-being. Try starting with the following:

Exercise Daily:

Our regular visit to the fitness center and outdoor walk in the morning are some routines that were disrupted by the ongoing lockdown. Many find it hard to continue their usual exercise because they do not have the same equipment that they use in the gym. However, the lack of daily exercise has many negative side effects.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the lack of adequate physical activity can lead to illnesses, such as obesity, heart disease, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure, as well as type 2 diabetes. Not exercising also causes bone and muscle weakness, which can lead to serious illness as you age.

To help your physical body, experts say that you need to engage in some form of physical activity once or twice a day for approximately 30 to 90 minutes. You do not need to have special equipment to exercise at home. If you still cannot jog or walk outside, you can start by going up and down your stairs or walking briskly around your garden or backyard. You can also do jumping jacks, sit-ups, planking, and side bends.

Eat Nutritious Foods:

The pandemic caused fear worldwide, and the idea of running out of supplies caused many to hoard non-perishable foods that can be stored for a long time. Canned goods have been the go-to items of many. But in reality, these types of food are often unhealthy. Studies show that bisphenol-A (BPA), a chemical used in canned packaging, can migrate from the can to the food itself. Ingesting high amounts of BPA can lead to type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Many find it hard to buy fresh produce because most markets are still closed because of the lockdown. However, the fruits, vegetables, and meat you see in the supermarket are as good as what you can get from local butchers and farmers’ markets. Though they are perishable, there are still ways for you to extend their shelf life. Make a conscious choice to cook fresh and nutritious foods instead of turning to canned goods or instant-cook items.

Pay Attention to Your Body:

Excessive weight gain has become common since the lockdown began. Aside from eating unhealthy foods, many are at risk of obesity because they turn to eat as a way to cope with the stress and anxiety caused by the pandemic. As mentioned above, the two main things that you can do to prevent this from happening are to exercise regularly and eat a healthy, balanced diet. You can also stock up on fresh foods like leafy greens and fruits that can boost your immune system.

If you are older or near your senior years, you will also notice body changes, such as weakness of bones and muscles. Though these are normal changes, you can still help your body by taking in calcium-rich foods like milk and dairy. Hair loss is also common for older people and younger adults that are experiencing high levels of stress. Since salons are not yet open in many places, you can give yourself DIY or chemical-free hair treatment solutions right in your home.

Get Enough Sleep at Night:

Some adults find it hard to sleep at night because of the anxiety and stress caused by the pandemic. But time and time again, our doctors advise us to get adequate sleep at night because it is the time when our bodies repair and recharge. You are also giving your brain the chance to rest and function correctly the next day. Generally speaking, humans need to have at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep at night, but this still changes depending on one’s age:

  • Newborn 0-3 months: 14 to 17 hours
  • Infant 4-11 months: 12 to 15 hours
  • Toddler 1-2 years: 11 to 14 hours
  • Preschool 3-5 years: 10 to 13 hours
  • School-age 6-13 years: 9 to 11 hours
  • Teen 14-17 years: 8 to 10 hours
  • Young adult 18-25 years: 7 to 9 hours
  • Adult 26-64 years: 7 to 9 hours
  • Older adult 65 years and older: 7 to 8 hours

Living in a world threatened by a deadly virus is not an easy thing to do. Many are trying their best to adapt to the new normal, especially when it comes to their way of life. If you are struggling to find your footing, know that it is a process and you are not alone. Soon enough, you’ll be able to find effective ways to stay fit and healthy while living amidst a pandemic.

May6

All Better!

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All Better!

Hello!!! Johnny and I got our second shot of the Moderna vaccine on April 29th and it completely knocked us both off of our feet. I am pleased to report that after two days of full on misery, I am back to normal and can better explain what we went through because I have the energy to sit at my computer! The following may sound awful but it is so worth it to have the vaccine and be better protected for ourselves, loved ones, and strangers. Let’s get to it:

About four to five hours after our shot, we both experienced pain in our arm and a very restless night of sleep. I also think we both had a fever that night too. Upon awakening the following morning, absolutely everything hurt. My arm, my legs, head, stomach – you name it. All day, Johnny and I experienced a fever and chills and went from bundling up in blankets to blasting the air conditioning almost every half hour.

The day after our shot, moving felt physically impossible and I slept off and on for a majority of the day. Johnny did not experience any nausea from the shot but I was very queasy and could only drink water or juice while he could snack on bland foods like crackers. I cannot recall a time when I felt sicker than the day after our second shot and I was excited for the day to end so I could wake up and, hopefully, feel much better. Unfortunately, that was not the case for yours truly although Johnny felt almost back to normal two days after aside from being tired.

We both had a fever that night and I woke up so nauseous that I still couldn’t eat anything. Even if I wanted to, I had no appetite whatsoever. From about ten in the morning to two or so, I vomited five times and laid on the couch or in bed while Johnny played video games. By four thirty and several Tums later, my nausea subsided enough that I was able to eat two small bowls of my mom’s homemade mac n’ cheese and half of a piece of pizza from Pizza Hut. It was one of the best meals I have ever had!

After eating a little bit, the haziness of the past few days lifted considerably and I felt more worn out than anything. Once again, I woke up the following morning in a sweat through nightgown so I am sure I ran a fever throughout the night and was happy to no longer feel any nausea. I just felt weak and tired from all of the strain on my body and lack of food. However, what I felt wasn’t debilitating because I am sitting here writing and that definitely cannot be said for the day before!

Now that I am feeling back up to snuff, the pain and discomfort Johnny and I both experienced after our second shot feels like a vague memory. I feel proud of the both of us for being vaccinated knowing the possibility of the side effects and we would want to be the first in line to do it again if need be.

The COVID-19 vaccine is such an important tool in flattening the spread of the coronavirus once and for all and it is up to all of us to implement it. We have seen the utter devastation that it causes and masking up and getting your vaccine shows that you care about your fellow community members. Although I experienced almost every side effect the vaccine has to offer it was so worth it and Johnny and I can’t wait to see our friends and family while being better protected.

Which side effects did you experience after the vaccine? How long did they last for? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May5

See You Tomorrow!

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See You Tomorrow!

Hello!! I am writing this two days after I got my second Moderna vaccine and your girl is not doing so hot. The day after was complete misery and while today is much better than the first, it is exhausting to do just about anything. So, with that being said, I will see you all tomorrow when I am, hopefully, feeling much better! Much love. -Sarah

May4

Vaccine Team Pt. 2

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Vaccine Team Pt. 2

Hi! I am so pleased to announce that as of April 29th, Johnny and I are fully vaccinated with the Moderna vaccine. When we got our first shot, we drove to the location in white out snow conditions and this time around, it was like driving in a monsoon! Rain, snow, and hail were not going to stop us from getting vaccinated and I am very thankful that we made it to both appointments safe and sound.

Similar to when we got our first shot, Johnny and I were in and out in about a half hour and were feeling good for most of the evening. Then, five or so hours later, we both took a turn for the worst with really sore arms, headaches, and what felt like a fever for me and chills for Johnny. We were SO miserable that night and the following day and we both just couldn’t get any relief. There was, honestly, a part when I started crying because everything hurt so bad.

Johnny had to keep reminding us both that what we were experiencing was better than getting COVID and while that didn’t make me feel any better at the time, he is most certainly right. Being fully vaccinated despite all of the aches, pains, and restless nights makes it all one hundred million percent worth it.

Although the second vaccine shot was no joke whatsoever, I still highly encourage everyone to get themselves scheduled for their vaccination. I feel so happy and proud to do my part to keep my loved ones and complete strangers safe and am incredibly thankful to begin feeling safer around others and have people feel protected around me too. Please join me and Johnny on the Vaccine Team!

What was your COVID vaccine experience like? Which side effects did you have? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr15

COVID Precautions I’ll Be Keeping

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COVID Precautions I’ll Be Keeping

Hello! We are all eager for the COVID-19 pandemic to be over and done with and while there is a huge light at the end of the tunnel, we still have a ways to go. It is exciting to think of what our lives will be like after the pandemic but it is important to not throw caution to the wind and act haphazardly with the health of yourself and those around you. I, for one, plan on keeping these precautions in place post pandemic:

Masking Up:

Thinking back to pre-pandemic times, it’s hard to understand why you wouldn’t wear a face mask if you aren’t feeling well and need to be out in public. I have always been good about staying home if I am feeling under the weather but I will continue to be keeping face masks handy in case I need to go to the doctor or the pharmacy. I also plan on wearing face masks even after the mandate is lifted in crowded areas like grocery stores and shopping centers. You can just never be too safe after living through a global pandemic!

Testing Frequently:

There was a point when it was SO difficult to get an at home COVID test but that is no longer the case. Grocery stores and pharmacies are in constant supply and you can order them for free through the USPS. This is such a blessing, especially considering how often I test myself for my job and those I love who are imunocompromised. You can also always look up covid testing near me if your access to an at home kit is limited. So many resources are now available and we should all take advantage of them.

Social Distancing:

I don’t know about you guys but I actually love the social distancing in public. I value my personal space and it has been nice to not have people all up in my business while running errands. Protecting my personal bubble while I am out and about will continue to be a priority for me because it really has made me feel so much more comfortable while in public.

Contact Free Grocery Shopping:

A few months ago, Johnny and I began doing contact free grocery shopping to help limit our exposure and have both agreed that we could never go back to doing in store shopping again. At our local grocery store, Giant Eagle, the curbside grocery pickup is free and incredibly convenient. Our shopping gets delivered right to the car by an employee and it has completely changed our grocery game. The curbside pickup has been an option at Giant Eagle even before the pandemic began and we will definitely keep on making the most of it.

Mental Health Breaks:

Working in the care field during a pandemic has easily been one of the most difficult things that I have ever had to do and my mental health was really suffering. I have to take care of myself, first and foremost, before I can adequately provide care for others and began being more lenient with myself about taking a day off every once in a while. My mental health breaks allowed me to chill out in the safety of my home and regroup and I would return back to work feeling refreshed and capable.

Post-pandemic, I am going to be much better about listening to my body and what it needs and if that means a day off to get myself together, then that is okay. It is really hard for me to take time away from my clients because I miss them so much even if it is just one day but occasional mental health breaks will allow for me to be the best provider I can for them and it is well worth it.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been insane, for lack of a better word. However, it taught me a lot of best practices that I plan on using long term to better protect myself, loved ones, and strangers. ❤

Which COVID precautions do you plan on keeping? What are you most looking forward to post pandemic? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr7

Vaccine Team

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Vaccine Team

Hello!!!! Johnny and I have been incredibly eager to get our COVID vaccine and about three weeks ago it was announced in Ohio that anyone over sixteen could get the shot after March 29th. Finally!! I am so pleased to say that by an insane stroke of luck, I was able to get Johnny and myself into one of the last appointment slots on April 1st to receive our first shot of the Moderna vaccine.

I’m not going to lie, it was very difficult to find an appointment time for the both of us because almost every single day at every single location vaccinating was fully booked. I went through the websites of pretty much everywhere in a forty-five minute range and kept coming up empty handed. So, like I said, it was a huge stroke of luck when the last location I checked still had some times available on April Fool’s Day. And the best part? It wasn’t a joke, either!

Johnny and I made a short drive to a Marc’s in Broadview Heights and it was actually pretty wild because we were driving on the highway in whiteout snow conditions. Thankfully, we arrived to our location safe and sound and were in and out in roughly a half hour. The vaccination process at Marc’s was so efficient and, frankly, I would have waited all day to get it because the feeling of relief I had after my first shot would make any waiting time well worth it. I am already counting down the days until our second shot.

While side effects after the vaccine vary from person to person, Johnny and I both experienced soreness in the arm we got the shot in for about a day and that was it. It was uncomfortable and we both agreed that the pain was similar to what we felt after we got injured in a car accident when we first started dating. But was it unbearable? Absolutely not and my arm felt much better after a nice, hot shower the following morning.

The peace of mind that Johnny and I feel after our vaccine is such a welcome sensation after being hunkered down for the past year and change. Of course, we will still be following all COVID safety precautions but it feels good to know that not only will we feel safer around other people but they can feel safe around us too.

I wanted to share my vaccine experience with all of you and am hoping that it will encourage those on the fence to reconsider. This vaccine really can save lives and it would, honestly, mean so much to me – especially as someone who has worked in the care field with high risk families throughout the pandemic’s duration. Johnny and I will be receiving our second shot at the end of April so make sure you check back for a Part Two update!

How has the pandemic changed your life? What is the vaccination registration process like in your area? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

 

Mar5

Love It: Contact Free Grocery Shopping

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Love It: Contact Free Grocery Shopping

Hi! As the COVID-19 pandemic continues on, it is always best to find ways to limit whatever exposure you can and contact free grocery shopping is an amazing way to help with that. Johnny tried curbside pickup grocery shopping from our local store, Giant Eagle, earlier in February and loved it so much that he claimed he will never grocery shop any other way. With such praise, I figured I could give it a try too and ended up doing our shopping curbside pickup style at the end of February. I have to say, Johnny was so right – it was great!

Giant Eagle’s curbside pickup program has one of the employees do your shopping through a list created online and then you go to the store and your purchases get loaded into your car for you which allows for a completely contact free experience. It also gave me the thrill of online shopping even if it was just for food, lol! At first, I was having a lot of problems with Giant Eagle’s website running super slowly but once I logged on at a less peak time it was smooth sailing from there.

Online shopping for groceries was kind of weird at first but it actually ended up being really easy and insanely convenient. It was nice to be able to see all of the sales and promotions clearly from the website and apply coupons on the spot. I felt like I was able to take my time browsing the site instead of power shopping to get out of the store quickly which introduced me to options that I didn’t even know existed. Like frozen buffalo cauliflower!

I also was so thankful for the option to edit the cart once my order was placed because, in true Sarah fashion, I forgot a few things that I needed. I swear, I am always forgetting at least one or two things that I needed when I grocery shop which always ends up turning into an extra trip to the store. Online grocery shopping was no exception but, this time, I got to go back to my order and add the items that I forgot. No extra trip necessary. 😀

In my youth, I can remember how much I enjoyed grocery shopping with my mom and, pre-pandemic, I loved my trips to the grocery store. However, it is so important right now to utilize the options that different businesses have available to limit exposure for all parties involved. I am so glad that I gave curbside grocery shopping a try and plan on using it until it is safer. 11/10 would recommend!

What do you like to shop for online? Would you ever try using curbside grocery shopping? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah