Did anyone in your family live through World War Two?
Or maybe even fought in it?
Have you ever asked them about it?
If you haven't, you should.
There are so many lessons to be learnt from the older generation who survived the biggest war in history.
A worldwide crisis, one that lasted for 6 years and killed 75 million people.
Coronavirus is very serious.
ALL of the recommended safety precautions should be strictly followed: thoroughly washing hands, staying at home unless necessary, social distancing.
But spreading panic is FAR from what's needed right now.
Think about the closest people around you; your parents, or siblings, or partner, or children.
Now think about the responsibility you have to set an example for them.
To act in a cautious but calm manner.
And think about your grandparents, who endured rationing, and blackouts, and The Blitz, and compare your current situation.
Use some perspective.
Yes, we're stuck at home, and that can feel confining.
But we have the internet.
We can order food online.
We can entertain ourselves with Netflix, Spotify, or YouTube.
We can interact with each other, through social media, or FaceTime, or even blogs.
There are still endless possibilities.
Is your situation really as bad as it was for our predecessors during World War Two?
Or even as bad as it is for those living in Wuhan or Lombardy?
I doubt it.
So take this newfound extra time we all have as an opportunity.
Practice a new skill, read a new book, learn a new language.
Work on your business, your fitness, your relationships.
Chances are you might never get to spend this much time with your closest family again, long as you live.
So cherish it.
And, as to fitness, I've heard many people complaining that - with all the gyms closed - they're not going to be able to make progress, or even stay in shape.
Bullshit.
That's an excuse - we have more time than EVER to work out hard, and eat well.
Seven days ago, I made the decision to start Andy Frisella's 75 Hard Program, designed to strengthen mental toughness, fortitude and discipline in a way nothing else can.
It's so much more than just another fitness program, but the physical transformation thousands of people have undergone from Day 1 to Day 75 is remarkable.
By the way, I AM NOT trying to sell you anything - 75 Hard is completely free, but I would highly recommend you check it out, for your own benefit.
It's given me a clear purpose during the current crisis, kickstarting me to GET MOVING with motivation and urgency dwindling a little.
(See our Something Extra for some isolation fitness tips).
The Coronavirus pandemic is also revealing a lot of people's true colours.
Stockpiling food.
Hording toilet paper.
Anti-Asian xenophobia and racism.
At a time when we should be uniting together (conceptually, NOT PHYSICALLY) to beat this virus, certain people are behaving incredibly selfishly.
If you are below sixty, and are healthy, then you should not be piling your shopping trolley full of supplies that the elderly might well need to survive.
Have a little social responsibility.
That said, there are many people acting in an admirable way; the 'Clap for Carers' has seen isolated residents in Italy, Spain and England taking to their windows, balconies, doors and gardens to show support for the heroism of their healthcare workers, while in the UK over 750,000 people have volunteered to help the NHS (as of ten minutes ago, while I'm sat in my living room writing this blog).
It's not all bad, then.
Just think about this: people remember how you acted when the going got tough.
They'll remember who remained calm and led by example, and who panicked and exacerbated the situation.
But in these testing times, you must also remember that You'll Never Walk Alone, and to show some appreciation, gratitude, and love for those closest to you.
Until the next time...
Alex (N. Y. A.)
Something Extra
For many of you, fitness may not be a priority right now, and I get that.
You may be struggling for income, or your family might be at risk, and the importance of maintaining your fitness might pale in comparison.
But for many of you, staying active and eating well might be the one thing that keeps you sane as you're stuck indoors.
For 75 Hard, all of my indoor workouts have been done at home (obviously, with all the gyms closed), so I thought I'd give you some exercises you can easily do at home:
-Shadow Boxing (or even using a punch bag, if you have one)
-Supermans
-Bulgarian Squats
-Press Ups
-Burpees
-Skipping
-Calf Raises
-Bench/Chair Tricep Dips
-Pull Ups (if possible)
-Pylo Lunges
-One/Two Leg Jumps for Height
-Bounce Squats
-Box Jumps
-Any form of abdominal crunch
And so on.
I suggest you use these exercises in combination, perhaps as a circuit with no to little rest in between exercises.
For example:
Press Ups x50
Bounce Squats x30
Supermans x20
Tricep Dips x20
Calf Raises x20
Shadow Boxing 2 mins
Skipping 1 min
And then repeat however many times you wish.
You'll be dripping sweat and exhausted, if you do it properly, but it'll help you stay in shape.
If you have access to dumbbells, kettlebells, medicine balls, resistance bands then you're even more prepared!
There really are unlimited ways to exercise at home without the gym, so get creative, and get moving.
For many, the Coronavirus crisis has been damaging for their mental health, but turning off Netflix and getting in a workout can help change that.
Stay Calm.
Stay Positive.
Stay Strong.