A few tips to get through each day

April 2, 2020

Since we’re all spending way more time indoors that we normally do, I thought it’d be nice to share some coping tips with how to get through each day. I asked my colleagues for some ideas and here’s what they had to say.

Andy Johnson, News anchor, The New Classical FM 
I keep telling myself – just like ever other major event in my life, the Six-Day War, the fallout from the Kennedy assassination, Viet Nam, right up to 9-11 and the economic collapse of 2008 – this too, shall pass. It always (and I mean always) happens that way. Time does heal. Stay smart, stay safe and stay strong. We’ll get through this.

Jean Stilwell, co-host, Classical Mornings with Mike and Jean 
My mantra on any given day is, “it’s all right to be afraid.”

Bill Anderson, host, Bill’s Classical Jukebox
My focus is on helping listeners to Keep Calm and Carry On by requesting some music that will make each day a “better” day. It could be something they find spiritually uplifting or it could be something that’s simply a favourite. And I’m trying to keep it light and bright – when I played Gershwin’s “Embraceable You” I told the listeners “Sorry, but these days no embraces are allowed! Virtual hugs only for Social Distancing.”

Mark Wigmore, host of The Oasis, and podcast Art at the End of the World
I am trying to actually take advantage of the arts offerings that major institutions are streaming and giving away for free. From MetOpera.org’s free HD operas, to 360 museum tours of the Vatican to free streaming documentaries and concerts meant to inform and entertain during a difficult time. Also, Tiger King, on Netflix.

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Here’s my tip to add to the list: if you’re working from home, make a point of going for a 15- to 20-minute walk to start your day, to symbolize your commute to work. You’ll feel much better after some fresh air and less foggy-brained. Go for the same walk when you’re done at your computer to symbolize your commute home. And get a workout in every day if you can, even if it’s a one-hour walk. At the end of my walks, I work on my pushups. You can follow my progress on Instragram @lizprstyle.

Liz Parker is the Digital Content Editor of The New Classical FM. She is also a piano teacher and stylist, and posts a lot of food pictures. She is the proud mom to furbaby Momo Kazu Mochi, her black tomcat.