Daily walks, alcohol-free days and 'mental' check ins: Melbourne doctor reveals her EXACT plan for 'surviving' the next six weeks of lockdown with her family
- Doctor reveals her plan for 'surviving' the next six weeks of COVID-19 lockdown
- Dr Preeya Alexander shared her guide as Melbourne is gripped by coronavirus
- Her plan includes one hour daily walks, drinking mindfully and healthy eating
- Premier Daniel Andrews announced new restrictions, including an 8pm curfew
An Australian doctor has revealed her plan for 'surviving' the next six weeks of lockdown as Victoria is gripped by its second wave of coronavirus.
Dr Preeya Alexander, a general practitioner from Melbourne, said she's bracing herself after premier Daniel Andrews announced tough new stage four restrictions, including an 8pm curfew and a 5km travel radius.
The GP has offered her guide to get through isolation - including daily walks, drinking alcohol mindfully three times a week and healthy eating - as health authorities attempt to limit movement across the state in an effort to minimise the spread of COVID-19.
Dr Preeya Alexander (pictured) has revealed the exact 'battle' plan for 'surviving' the next six weeks of lockdown as Victoria is gripped by its second wave of coronavirus
Dr Preeya Alexander (pictured with her doctor husband Willy), a general practitioner from Melbourne, said she's bracing herself tough new stage four restrictions
'We went for a walk after some anxiety-related chest tightness during the announcements and a loud cry afterwards to my mum on the phone and we planned hard how we will survive the next six weeks,' Dr Alexander said.
'It's going to be raw - there may be tears, rants, sh** days and good ones but we're all doing this together and we can do this.'
The mother-of-two said she will prepare 'kid-friendly' meals from scratch with no more than five ingredients per serve.
'Meals will be veggie packed, and most of them five ingredients [maximum] because cooking multiple meals is not going to happen in lockdown,' she said.
'[Our meals] will be realistic (and not fancy) - it's about you guys getting some ideas, survival, distraction and eating well in a heavy, heavy patch of life.'
Dr Alexander urged Victorian residents to 'improvise' the ingredients they already have in their home to avoid racing back to the supermarket.
'Don't be strict on ingredients - we are in lockdown. Improvise, use whatever veggies you have for instance. If you don't have something, don't panic,' she said.
Victoria recorded 671 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday (pictured). A Stage 4 lockdown will see nearly all shops close and high school students back to learning from home
She admitted takeaway meals 'will occur', and she will treat herself to cake, chocolate, chilli chips and alcohol three times a week
She admitted takeaway meals 'will occur', and she will treat herself to cake, chocolate, chilli chips and alcohol three times a week.
'Alcohol (three drinking days a week only for both brain and body in lockdown), chocolate and chilli chips - not selling "perfection" here (or anything actually) - it's about survival,' Dr Alexander said, with a laughing emoji.
As studies show alcohol consumption tends to increase in lockdown, she said you should try to limit it by choosing just three days a week.
For exercise, she will do an hour of walking outside her home every day.
Dr Alexander told Victorian residents it's 'ok to feel overwhelmed right now' as she urged everyone to do 'mental health check ins' with family and friends.
'Honestly, we knew these level of restrictions were coming (they had to in order to get this under control) but words like "state of disaster" and "curfew" evoke anxiety,' she said.
'It is ok to feel c*** or overwhelmed - but talk to someone... on Zoom or FaceTime - reach out.'
Dr Alexander shares practical tips to follow during lockdown
1. Routine helps
Dr Alexander shared her practical tips to following during coronavirus lockdown
Dr Alexander said routine will help you 'in a huge way' as you approach the second wave of lockdown.
She recommends you keep to a regular sleep and wake time, and try to keep a separate work space so that you have a designated area with start and finish times.
2. Don't binge drink
While Dr Alexander said she enjoys a glass of wine as much as the next person, she also said you need to watch your consumption in lockdown.
'In lockdown, it's easy to reach for a wine to either end the work day or mark survival of the parent day,' the GP said.
But this can easily turn into two or three, and before you know it, you're effectively binge drinking four or five nights a week.
'If you're going to have a glass of wine, try and mindfully drink it,' Dr Alexander said.
3. Stay connected
One of the 'key' things to handling lockdown well is staying 'connected' with your family and friends, despite physical distance.
'Surround yourself (technologically) with people who bring joy and who genuinely ask how you are,' she said.
4. Stay active
Dr Alexander said exercising in sunlight like walking, running and cycling helps your sleep quality, mood and fatigue.
5. Keep kids active
Dr Alexander recommends a roster for this - filled with 'routine, routine, routine'.
'Draw up timetables, bring structure to the day for them (and you), and you'll feel instantly better,' she said.
6. Seek help if you need it
Lastly, if you're doing all of these things and still struggling, you might need help from elsewhere.
'Your GP, psychologist and maternal child health nurse are all still there,' the GP said.
'There are loads of supports, and Lifeline (131114) is also a 24/7 service in Australia.'
