HOUSEHOLD TIPS NOT FOUND IN WOMAN'S WEEKLY

[Marilyn]

He put the word (that) in the right place, Tizzy.
He will always have to deal with me ( I give him a reason to get out of bed in the morning, and some mornings he gets up with boxing gloves on, and I am his first target!)

[Stanley]

!!!
No, of course I didn't Tiz but.....
Maz is dead right, I missed a word out and was referring to kids. Senior moment, sorry!
Maz, I don't get up and put boxing gloves on, I just defend my position if I think I am right.
Today's household tip. As long as the washing machine is functioning, start each day with clean towels and do an occasional wash at the highest temperature to sterilise the interior of the machine. Don't rely on assurances about low temperature washes in the advertisements, trust high temperatures.

[Stanley]

In these days of advertising ("Kills 99.9% of germs") never forget that one of the best solvents for grime and most efficient disinfectants is boiling water. In olden times before microbes and nasties were understood the standard treatment for dairy and cooking tackle was to scrub with an abrasive and then scald them. It worked then and still does.

[Marilyn]

A bit of sunlight and a fresh breeze on your washing helps too, especially your bedding.
We are fortunate we don’t have to suffer being eaten alive by body lice and fleas these days...

[Stanley]

Lots of stories in WW1 trench history about the ineffectiveness of hanging clothes out to freeze in order to kill lice. It didn't work! Have a look at THIS link....

[Tizer]

The latest MoneySavingExpert.com web newsletter has lots of tips... MSE covid tips web page

Here are tips from the BBC about how to improve and maintain your broadband connection during these times of increased demand. Some of them will be obvious to you all but others are less so and it's worth reading.... Broadband tips

And this helps parents to keep children fit (and the parents can join in too!)...
`Coronavirus: Joe Wicks keeps children fit with online PE classes' Exercise The video will make you laugh, if nothing else!

[Stanley]

I find I tick all the boxes in the broadband tips plus of course my major use being so early in the morning.
On general tips re activities, I never have any problems filling my day!
I find that my normal life style is ticking all the government boxes and aided by the quiet conditions. Perhaps this is why I never catch colds. (That's a dangerous statement I know! Fingers crossed.)
Today's tip, don't get lax! Make sure you keep up all your personal protection routines. It takes vigilance and discipline to keep up the effort and avoid the very human trait to slack off as time goes on. Be alert. The world needs more lerts!

[Stanley]

I don't know about you but I am becoming oppressed by the constant stream of bad news. My reaction is to listen to the essential news and ignore the speculation and shock horror stories of gloom and doom. Look for good news, humour and uplifting stories. Keep positive and busy while being vigilant and maintaining personal bio-security levels. That's the best I can do for today's tip. Onward and upwards! [All stragglers will be shot!]

[Cathy]

Absolutely, that what I was saying the other day- stay away from the talking heads. Essential news and updates only.

[Marilyn]

I don’t turn the TV on unless I really want to watch something. I find my stress levels have dropped dramatically since I have stopped absorbing so much bad news. I am sleeping better too.

[Stanley]

Good! Sleep is the best defence and if you are poorly, best medicine as well. So many people would do better if they went to bed just an hour earlier!

[Tizer]

The clocks go forward tonight!

[plaques]

With the extraordinary pressure that the NHS is currently under a lot of people are asking 'what can I do to help'. The answer is simple ' look after yourself and don't become a coronavirus statistic'. Anything you can do to minimise the loading on the NHS is helpful. Its nothing dramatic but just common sense.

[chinatyke]

The clocks go forward tonight!

Thanks for the heads-up, I need to be able to keep in sync with UK time for financial reasons.

[Marilyn]

Clean out cupboards and drawers. Be ruthless. It is amazing how the time flies by if you get stuck in.
Today, I’m pulling every last thing out of the cupboard under the stairs. I have a feeling there may be some toilet paper back there somewhere!

[Stanley]

Alternatively, recline gracefully on a couch. Like Jacob Rees Mogg?

[Stanley]

Working within the guidelines for social distancing it is a good thing to keep as close as possible to the levels and intensity of exercise you normally achieve. Exercise is essential to maintaining health and it would be a mistake to throw the baby out with the bath water due to isolation. The key is USE YOUR HEAD and act sensibly..

[Stanley]

Less mentioned but very important, stick to regular hours and meal times, get plenty of sleep and eat quality food. All these contribute to resilience and general good health. This hasn't changed with Covid19.

[Stanley]

If you are a smoker consider stopping. Then settle down for a fight! Every time you feel the urge coming on, just take a deep breath and remember what it was like before.

[Marilyn]

I expect you are struggling, Stanley.
Struggle acknowledged! Cazza and I gave up over 6 years ago. Did it at the same time. ( she probably knows exact dates... I can’t recall...it is lost in the mists of time for me)
All I can say is, eat well, sleep well and try to avoid annoying things and annoying people because you will be a bit delicate for about 3 weeks...
Do I feel better for giving up smoking? ( no...but I was never sick from it)
Have I saved trillions of dollars ( no...increased price of life soon scooped it up)
Do I miss smoking ( at times. I do. I occasionally have dreams where I am smoking or find a packet in my bag etc during a dream)
Would I smoke again? ( no. Never again. I am done.)

[Stanley]

No, not struggling, enduring. My strength is that of ten because I am pure.

[Marilyn]

Well...you are even purer now...

[Tizer]

He'll be getting religion next!

[Marilyn]

If he does get religious, we will organise for someone to push him out into a crowded place and leave him there. The virus knows what to do...

[Stanley]

What happens when you stop smoking.
After 20 minutes
Pulse rate returns to normal.
After 8 hours
Nicotine and carbon monoxide levels in blood reduce by more than half and oxygen levels return to normal.
After 48 hours
Carbon monoxide will be eliminated from the body. Lungs start to clear out mucus and other smoking debris.
After 48 hours
There is no nicotine in the body. Ability to taste and smell is improved.
After 72 hours
Breathing becomes easier. Bronchial tubes begin to relax and energy levels increase.
After 2-12 weeks
Your circulation improves.
After 3-9 months
Coughs, wheezing and breathing problems improve as lung function increases by up to 10%.
After 1 year
Risk of heart disease is about half compared with a person who is still smoking.
After 10 years
Risk of lung cancer falls to half that of a smoker.
After 15 years
Risk of heart attack falls to the same as someone who has never smoked.

I found the above on the web and it's very encouraging. Funny thing is that i have hit the 3 to 9 month level already.
Today's tip. Every time it gets hard, remember this list and take a deep breath to remind you of the benefits.