These are no doubt stressful times. From home schooling to cashflow issues for small business, there’s no shortage of challenging situations that are brought on by a lockdown. People manage stress differently. The number one piece of advice from renowned mental health outfit, BeyondBlue, is to try and maintain perspective.
Of course, it is reasonable for people to be concerned, frustrated and upset about the lockdown and its impacts, and when you’re in the thick of it, trying to maintain perspective is hard. But at the end of the day, we will get through it by sticking together. One of the best things about the Northern Beaches is the strong community. There’s no shortage of support or people wanting to help one another.
Lockdowns bring with them a massive surge of work for me and my team in Manly. We work 7 days to try assist constituents as best we can. For me, I deal with stress by running. Usually up around North Head. Over the past few years, it has been a real privilege to be a part of and support a local men’s run club, the Vipers RC.
You’ve probably seen them (lately in pairs) running around the Northern Beaches. They do amazing work in fostering community and supporting local charities. Co-founder of the Vipers, Matty Abel (pictured) dragged me out for a run recently. Only one of us was puffing hard and it certainly wasn’t him.
So why running? I was a reasonable runner at High School. But it was the Invictus Games in 2018 that rekindled my love of running. The Invictus Games are essentially the Olympics for veterans who are injured. The word ‘invictus’ means ‘unconquered’. It embodies the fighting spirit of wounded, injured and sick veterans and personifies what men and women can achieve post injury. The Games harness the power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and generate a wider understanding and respect for those who serve their country.
The message of overcoming adversity and the relationship between physical activity (not being an Ironman or anything) but getting up and about, is a lesson for all of us. Thankfully we live where we do. Things are tough right now. I know it because every single day people contact my office for help. We all want to get back to normal, visiting friends and loved ones, travelling and getting on with life.
It’s times like this that resilience, determination and patience will carry us through. If you can, enjoy a walk or some exercise whilst we get through this particularly challenging point in time.
Vaccination Update:
Local pharmacists have joined the vaccination rollout in the Manly area, with more coming online across the Northern Beaches within days. Our success depends on getting vaccinated. With Pharmacies joining the frontline this week there are now even more places to get your jab. I would like to thank the local pharmacists who are known and trusted in our community for their efforts.
Individuals who meet the current eligibility criteria for the COVID-19 vaccine and who don’t have a Medicare card will now be able to receive their FREE vaccine at their local community pharmacy.
Manly Starchem Pharmacy – 72 The Corso, Manly. Book on pharmacy website.
Priceline Manly – 28 The Corso, Manly. Book on pharmacy website (mid-August).
Chemist Warehouse Manly – 23 The Corso, Manly. Book on pharmacy website.
Malouf’s Manly – 15 The Corso, Manly. Call for booking.
Manly Vale Pharmacy – 339 Condamine St, Manly Vale. Book on pharmacy website.
North Balgowlah Pharmacy – 44 Woodbine St, North Balgowlah. Call for booking.