8 Ways Active Families can Respond to the Coronavirus

COVID-19 has hit with a vengeance and things are changing by the hour.

Both Rob and I work in the tourism industry so this pandemic has had a dramatic effect on our family life and our future earnings, as no doubt it has had on everyone. The Good News is that so far we remain healthy, which is all that matters at the end of the day. BUT it has also made me realise that there are things we can do to make a difference in our life and our community. Here’s my 8 ways active families can respond to the Coronavirus…..

Us in happier times on Frankland Islands - when we could still do our TNQ adventures — **Us in happier times on** **Frankland Islands** **- when we could still do our TNQ adventures**

1. Buy Local

Right now we have a wonderful campaign created by industry leaders in our town called #KeepitinCairns. It’s all about getting locals to support locally owned and run businesses and spend their money here.

Keep it in Cairns has a Facebook page too — **Keep it in Cairns has a** **Facebook page** **too**

Obviously things have been made more difficult now that everything but essential services are closed down. At present local businesses are offering delivery and take-away so if you’re able to spend money then do it and do it locally.

We’re hoping to go down to the Cairns Esplanade in the next few days (as long as we don’t go into lockdown) and get some takeaway ('cause that's all that’s on offer right now ;) ) from a boat called the Prawn Star – it's a great seafood restaurant that is moored down at the Marlin Marina. Hopefully a picnic on the waterfront with our kids will help us chill a bit with all that’s going on.....

**In the good ol' days when you could 'still' visit restaurants**

2. Keep your Family Healthy

This is a BIG one! A large amount of the population are already deciding to take their kids out of school and keep themselves at home if they can (families in Victoria and ACT don’t have a choice – they’ve already closed the schools). For people on the front line - health carers, government workers and those offering essential services - this may not be a possibility.

Wherever you are in the scheme of things, consider making improvements to your health if possible. In 2015 I published a blog about feeding my family turmeric (Read more HERE >> Turmeric Benefits for the WHOLE Family). I still stand by this article today as a means to improving your family’s overall health.

**A great (& easy) way to keep your family healthy**

Get 10% off all your Turmeric purchases with the CODE
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If you need further confirmation that Turmeric is a healthy addition to your diet check out the COVID-19 map. I’m watching the global march of people that are affected by this virus and taking note that India is pretty far down the list despite the amount of people in the country and its basic living conditions. #justsaying

I’ve also added Green Banana Resistant Starch into my daily diet which is made by a local TNQ banana grower who was sick of throwing out his unsaleable fruit.

**This goes into my smoothie everyday!!**

Mild starchy unripe bananas have an amazing range of digestive benefits that make them a powerful new gut health ingredient - basically the powder nourishes your good bacteria and in turn heals your gut. Check out this story > 10 Reasons why you should be using Green Banana Resistant Starch < for more info. Once again, everything helps and if it fights off bad bugs I say GO FOR IT!!

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AND keep exercising!! Or at least take it up ;) In Australia we’re still allowed outside our houses as long as we stay 1.5m away from others. That means walking, cycling and running can still happen at present.

Chilling at Hartleys Creek Falls — **Chilling at** **Hartleys Creek Falls**

If you’re tackling the Coronavirus in Tropical North Queensland it’s a great time to check out my Guide to walks and waterfalls which is constantly being updated and added to.

Be aware that some tracks may be closed down by Government authorities so keep a close eye on your Council and State websites.

Home gyms will become the new norm. At present my son (15 years) is busy creating a ‘Garage Gym’ out of some exercise equipment he was given by a good friend. He’s talking about adding to it with an exercise pull up bar and punching bag. Even Rob’s keen to join him to learn a few new moves. :)

Josh’s already experienced an amazing body transformation by embracing exercise at his local gym (which of course is closed now due to the Coronavirus) AND I look forward to seeing what he’ll achieve in the home environment.

This Coronavirus is opening up new businesses all over the place (we have to be creative and survive after all). One good friend of mine has created a live Facebook Group for her Yoga Studio that she operates from home. Like most of us, losing the majority of her income overnight has been a blow emotionally and financially. She plans to put on at least 3 of these live classes every week, perhaps more. Click and Join HERE!!

Don’t forget there are a myriad of different workouts that can be accessed via YouTube and Instagram Online. Keep an eye on your local providers, I know a lot of them are exploring their online options right now so continue to keep in contact with them and support them.

3. Postpone & Don’t Cancel!!

I love these words that were written by a good friend that was once part of the tourism industry and unfortunately she’s lost her job too thanks to the Coronavirus. I’ve quoted her verbatim ‘cause she has said it much better than I can.

“If your job is safe during the Covid-19 pandemic, or you’re going to be financially stable, then I implore you to think before asking for refunds for cancelled events and holidays. Companies are paying out millions right now in cancellations and with little in the way of forward bookings; it means they’re haemorrhaging money.

Support awesome companies like Raging Thunder & keep them afloat — **Support awesome companies like** **Raging Thunder** **& keep them afloat**

Instead, ask for bookings to be moved out or to receive credit. It might mean the difference between someone losing their job or a business going under.

It’s really, really bad right now, but the storm always runs out of rain. At some point this will be over. You’ll still want to go on that dream holiday or have your dream wedding. Let’s make sure the hotel or tour operator or caterer or photographer are still in business to help make that dream come true.” Francesca Beckett

4. Pay Now, Stay and Play Later

You never know our luck.This may all ‘blow over’ in a couple of months and those in Australia that havebeen hardest hit will need some love. Still think about booking that ‘DreamHoliday’ consider investing your dollars back into the country that you live in.Check out #holidayherethisyear which is a great campaignrun by Tourism Australia.

If you’re stuck in Australian’s southern states this winter then we would love you to Fly North for some warmth (ie come to Tropical North Queensland!!). Hopefully when the borders open again and the Airlines come back online, domestic flights will remain as ‘cheap as chips’. Check out the video below of us enjoying our 'backyard'.

We got to be part of this great campaign run by Queensland Tourism

If you think TNQ is an option for you then I’d love you to book your tours via my page Adventure Mumma Tours – these are all hand-picked tours that we’ve done as a family and we can vouch for their awesomeness. Also, don’t forget to check out my blogs for INSPO on what to do around Tropical North Queensland, even if you just feel like doing some armchair travelling.

**Don't forget to keep adding to your Bucket List**

The main thing is to keepday dreaming and add destinations to your bucket list like normal.

5. Disconnect, Relax and Refresh

Now is the time to take the time. Our Easter holidays are looking like they’ll be extended somewhat though we won’t be camping because that’s all been closed now. At present Victoria and ACT have closed their schools indefinitely and this Friday (27th March) is the last day of the term for our kids. Some families have already chosen to go into lockdown.

Kids (and parents) will nodoubt start going stir-crazy. There’s only so much time you want to spend ondigital technology and being online after all. Refreshing your mind in natureis a simple way to reduce anxiety and find some balance.

Some great ideas by Nature Play BUT please be Covid19 aware — **Some great ideas by** **Nature Play** **BUT please be Covid19 aware**

Nature Play has compiled a list of ideas to offer inspiration and how to incorporate time in nature into your day-to-day life, whilst observing social distancing. Another great resource is the Finding Nature org which is all about staying connected to the natural world during the Coronavirus.

Also consider investing in some quality outdoor equipment your kids can play on.

The kids love our Vuly Slam Pro

We have the Vuly Basketball Hoop which has been a hit with our kids. Vuly (an Aussie company) have an amazing range of some of Australia’s safest play equipment on offer. Their play equipment is definitely a world away from the bog standard slide and swing set I had in my backyard as a kid.

NOTE: Prices will be increasing on the Vuly website as of 02/04/20 due to the plunging Australian Dollar. Get in Quick!!!

If you’re based in Tropical North Queensland (or you just want to do some armchair travelling right now) consider buying this book – 100 Things to Do in Tropical North Queensland. It’s a great guide to the best of the Far North and Great Barrier Reef, according to people who live here (Catherine Lawson and David Bristow).

CLICK to BUY NOW

I’ll also be doing a reviewand competition soon to WIN some copies of the book so stay posted for that.

6. Help Create Resilient Kids

This is the perfect time toturn your focus on your children. You want to consider their mental health aswell as their physical health, particularly in helping them respond to theCoronavirus fallout.

So how do you help your kids deal with stress and adversity? It’s easier than you think. Consider things like having one-on-one time with each child, without distractions. Chat, listen, talk about your feelings, encourage them to express theirs.

Give sleep a chance. Thatmeans limiting screen time before bed AND definitely don’t let your teens taketheir phones to bed. We have a communal charging area in our living area. Bothmy kids (15 and 13) know to place their phones on the dock before going intotheir bedroom at night.

**Don't let them be on Digital Technology for too long - as tempting as it is ;)**

Teach delayed gratification. It’s an important concept to pass on in the age of Spotify, Netflix, Disney Channel etc etc. The best way to teach it is board games. They require impulse control, turn-taking and mental flexibility. Also they teach kids to be a good loser (though you may have to put up with the odd tantrum to begin with ;) ) UNO and The Game of Life have been faves in our household.

I also recommend Victoria Prooday and The Resilience Project who have some excellent information on their websites.

AND don’t forget to consideryour own mental health. In the current environment of doom and gloom make sureyou seek out ‘good news’ or take a look at the humorous side occasionally. Iknow plenty of my friends are making me laugh on Facebook despite what’s goingon right now.

There’s a new Facebook page called the Kindness Pandemic which you can be part of now. For something closer to home (if you’re based in Cairns) try the Barron River Social Group which has been set up to share thoughts and ideas of things that will help the community get through this socially isolating experience.

8. Consider Home Schooling

For families, sticking to a routine is going to be your Number One priority and your way of surviving any long school break as a direct affect of this Coronavirus.

**This is how I'm considering tackling the next few months ;)**

If structured well, it’s an opportunity to teach kids to do chores, cook, read and write, become more creative, enjoy ‘downtime’ and learn to balance life and technology.

Image by Victoria Prooday — **Image by** **Victoria Prooday**

Victoria Prooday offers this great Coronavirus survival daily schedule and World Travel Family offer some great tips on how to Home School – they’re an Aussie family who have been travelling the world for over 6 years (though obviously they’re back home at present sitting this one out).

Resourceful new ways to educate our kids are popping up all over the place due to this Coronavirus. Museums such as MONA and Melbourne are going online and creating virtual tours. The Sydney Opera House offers a 360-degree tour and even the Zoos are getting in on the act. Zoos Victoria and Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Queensland are some plus you can even go underwater with Reef Tracks. AND even NASA have a learning portal that brings the universe into your home.

In my local town the businesses below have had to go online to survive. Check them out:

Zoo To You are now doing LIVE shows on Facebook about Australian Animals, with resources for learning both for educators and for kids. CLICK HERE to JOIN.
The Young Company is a professional youth theatre company that has now launched their live online training program exclusive to all TYC weekly students so that performers can continue to develop their creativity and connect in with their fellow class members.
The CAPTA Group (Rainforestation Nature Park, Australian Butterfly Sanctuary, Wildlife Habitat, Cairns ZOOm & Wildlife Dome) are doing LIVE streams on Facebook from their Wildlife Parks.

PLUS, if you are a Far Northern local, or are planning to visit with your family in the future consider joining my FNQ FAMILY FUN Facebook Group. At present we're highlighting fun ideas for families despite the present situation.

The main message is relax and have some fun….you don’t have to mimic the school environment and have your kids in uniform sitting at desks all day (although it’s tempting ;) ).

In fact, you may find that this time away from the institution we formally know as ‘school’ may have some positive effects on your kids learning ability if you play it right. It did for us when we took our 3-month caravan trip down the East Coast of Australia....although no-one will be on the road for a while so you'll have to be really creative in this case.

Ultimately Coronavirus will have an impact (as it has already) on our family lives that we can’t even start to comprehend. Don’t let it get the better of you. Consider this, it might just be our opportunity to stop the manic pace of life most of us have been living and turn things around a bit.

Love this Facebook Post

Stay safe xxxxx

What way is your family responding to the Coronavirus? Do you have other suggestions you'd like to share?

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