Self-isolation blogs: Samantha Islam

Samantha Islam

This is part of a series of self-isolation blogs, written by students, staff and Fellows during the coronavirus pandemic so we can learn about their experiences over the coming weeks.

To view other blog entries, take a look at our main self-isolation blog page.

The posts below are from Samantha Islam, a PhD student at the Department of Engineering.

Samantha Islam

Week 7

The final stunning supermoon of the year known as a 'flower moon' appeared this week on Thursday. In my childhood, I read a fairy tale that says anything wished with pure heart on full moon comes true. There was a time when I used to pray every full moon night: “Please Lord please take me to the Cambridge University”. Now I get to watch the marvellous full moon on the Cambridge sky.

Nothing new has happened this week. I have been working on the data I collected in my field work December last year. Thank God I finished my fieldwork before pandemic though I had plan to collect more data from another company which is not happening now.

I am writing this blog using voice typing on Google Docs. It is listening to me like a faithful friend though it is making few mistakes. The problem is I have no energy to write by myself because I’ve just finished my iftar (breaking fast). Before breaking my fast I don't feel anything, and I can work just like any normal day. However, after I break fast, I feel weak and heavy. Probably, because I intake lot of liquid and food all together which makes me feel heavy and tired. Now I am resting and talking in a way as if I'm giving an interview on what I have been doing since last week. 

sam week 7

I’m revising the blog now; Mr. voice typing has made a lot of mistakes. I didn't read any new book for last 3-weeks. The irony is that I couldn't make reading time even during the lockdown. There are two types of reading in my system. One is academic literature reading which I consider as part of research. The true reading time is bedtime reading of different books. I'm trying to perform all the things one Muslim should do for the Ramadan with an expense of my reading time.

One thing that particularly makes me very happy now a days is humanity that is blossoming everywhere. Many people are donating lot of money to the poor to tackle Covid-19 crisis. As Muslims usually donate their Zakat during Ramadan, this year the Zakat has become a blessing for unprivileged people. Even some people are also donating the money preserved for Hajj (pilgrimage). When human heart becomes house of worship for the creation, going to temples, churches, synagogues and mosques become less important.

10 May 2020

Week 6

Holy Ramadan is celebrated by Muslims through the rituals of fasting, prayer and reflection. Due to my physical condition I did not expect to fast this year, however, I could not help taking this beautiful opportunity to connect to the divine. Being a devotee, embracing the religious practices makes mefeel love for the entire cosmos.    

Fasting from sunrise to sunset is obligatory for all adult Muslims unless they have underlying health condition. To perform the ritual, I eat before 2:30 am, after that I do my morning prayer by 3:30 am and then go to bed.  Well, I had to make little adjustments in my daily routine, but it is refreshing. I break my fast by 8:30 pm in the evening with a glass of juice, fruits and snacks. Apart from religious significance, I also prefer fasting for its health benefits. Fasting more than 12 hours initiates autophagy in our body which helps to get rid of all the broken down, old cells and stimulate growth hormone. The 2016 Nobel Prize in Physiology was awarded for the discovery of autophagymechanism. 

The lockdown has made this Ramadan highly effective as I get opportunity to perform all of the five prayers. The Muslim prayer is called “Salah”. Before proceeding to perform Salah, we have to wear appropriate clothing and perform a cleansing ritual. For prayer we stand upright facing the direction of Kabah which we consider as the house of God. Throughout the prayer we recite various verses praising God, bow down and prostrate on the floor. The meaning of one my favourite verses is: 

“O God, how perfect You are, and praise be to You. Blessed is Your name, and exalted is Your majesty….”

The month of Ramadan is also significant as Holy Quran(literally meaning "the recitation") the central religious text of Islam was first revealed to our Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) in this month. It is believed by Muslims that Quran was orally revealed by God to the final prophet Muhammad (PBUH), through the archangel Gabriel (Jibril) incrementally over a period of some 23 years. Quran recitation is another common ritual that is widely practiced during Ramadan.

samantha islam week 6

3 May 2020

Week 5

After spending past few weeks in tension, illness, bad news, fear and sleeping disorder, I intentionally took a week for laughter. A good, hearty laugh relieves physical tension and stress, leaving our muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after. Hence, I realise it will balance my system.

I started to watch Mr Bean series by Rowan Atkinson every night before going to bed. No matter what age I watch this series, I cannot help giggling. My insane laughter got louder by the insane dancing moves of Mr Bean.  His pure, dedicated love for the teddy triggered compassion for my pillow in the bed. Unknowingly, I started guffawing by his unique activities of disposing an awful-tasting meal in a restaurant. He is a super curious person with extraordinary ability of doing things in his own way. Yes, these are the reasons why Rowan Atkinson is my all-time favourite.  

No denial that my endorphin level and cardiovascular mechanism have improved. However, I would be more grateful if movement of my facial muscles would burn some calories. I would then replace it for exercise J

Today is the first day of Ramadan. Being a Muslim, I celebrate Ramadan by fasting. It is a time for self-control, so I have replaced my loud laughter with slow smile created by the sacred thought of my creator, the Almighty.

24 April 2020

Week 4

I’m feeling much better this week, my energy level has improved, no discomfort in my throat while my chest pain disappeared and I’m breathing normally in bed for last two days. Needless to say, human body is a miracle because it has fantastic ability to heal itself provided with proper nourishments. Nourishments for body and mind to create an “optimal well-being”.

With some knowledge from coronavirus survivors over the internet, I cut processed carb, sugar and increased protein-based diet. Some people recommended on cutting dairy and wheat, but I did not follow as I have no allergic issue and I felt no discomfort with my milk-based morning smoothie or toast in the afternoon. People normally depend on macrobiotic, micro biotic, organic, vegan, vegetarian, non-vegetarian diets and I discovered all systems work for different people. I am on pescatarian diet and during my illness I increased my intake of fruits and vegetables. I increased warm water consumption by adding different additives. For example, after dinner and before breakfast, I intake the drink that I prepare by adding ginger, honey, cinnamon, cardamom, clove, lemon and turmeric in water and microwave it for a minute. After breakfast and lunch, I drink green tea or honey lemon. There is no denial that the current situation has given me far more consciousness of what I am eating which was difficult to build earlier. 

bangladeshi meal
The Bangladeshi traditional meal I prepared to celebrate the first day of Bengali New year on 14/4/2020. It was not possible to find traditional Hilsa fish, so I replaced it with Salmon :)


When I observe the “body-mind” view, I accept that any change to one affects the other. A consequence of this is to accept that I can affect a physical issue through an intervention to the mind, or vice-versa. Our body is hard-wired to react to stress in ways meant to protect us against threats such as: anxiety, worries, fear, irritation. When we encounter a perceived threat — such as someone is listening to or thinking of coronavirus death increase news— our hypothalamus, a tiny region at the brain's base, sets off an alarm system in our body. Through a combination of nerve and hormonal signals, this system prompts our adrenal glands to release a surge of hormones, including adrenaline and cortisol. Adrenaline increases heart rate, elevates blood pressure and cortisol alters immune system responses and suppresses the digestive system. Our subconscious mind is unable to differentiate between a real scenario or an imagination. Hence, if I feed it positive information and create comforting thoughts the immune system is likely to work well.

Hence, what news do I read now a days? I read success stories to beat the pandemic, improvement in air pollution or research progress to reduce testing time, develop a new drug or vaccine. I also like to read on how the virus transmitted from animal to human. At the same time, I am continuing reading literature for my research as well as other books during bedtime.

I do like to continue my eating habit and practice of mental peace during and after the pandemic. This coronavirus experience also taught me that keeping social distance during illness not only save other people but also helps me to take rest and heal.  

17 April 2020

Week 3

I am out of my official self-isolation now. Last week I dealtwith symptoms e.g. fever, mild sore throat, cough and body ache.  I assumed I got that virus and informed college. I went into official self-isolation (in my college room) though unofficially it started even before. During my official isolation period, the college porters supported me with food and other necessary stuffs. My fever went away after six days. However, I’m still feeling shortness of breath, fatigue and weakness.  Ihave been treating myself with some over-the-counter medicines and home remedies. 

Samantha week 3

When I started to develop the symptoms, I also started to develop worries, fear and doubt. I first treated my worries and fear. Keeping my eyes closed I told myself- “It’s okay. Anyone can get it and I completely accept. I heal my worries and fear, my body heals the disease.”  Then I cured my doubt with information. The information includes the risk level of a person in my age group with normal health condition, available medicines, home remedies, mostly dos and don’ts. As no country was prepared for this, testing of virus is still not highly available. Even if I test positive, there is no medicine. Hence, treating the symptoms is the only way-out. 

I covered up my whole body except eyes and went to the pharmacy. I bought paracetamols, vitamin C supplements, sore throat lozenges (hexylresorcinol). I didn’t buy any cough syrup as I was coughing rarely. Adding ginger powder and honey in my morning green tea was soothing. I started to intake black cumin (nigella sativa) for its anti-viral property and gargle with warm salted water. The shortness of breath was rarely felt unless I lay on my back or use the stairs. Laying on right side and using extra pillows to keep head uplifted helped me. Our immunity system is saving us fromenormous number of viruses, bacteria and parasites already existing in our body. Hence, I tried boosting my immune system with right food to save me from the new one.

My daily routine has not changed much except waking up late in the morning. I’m doing almost everything that I am used to do regularly except going outside. However, I am resting and relaxing longer than usual and moving with slow pace. In my case, talking longer over the phone and smells of spicy food is discomforting. Other people may develop other types of symptoms. I am drinking warm water and practicing deep breathing during meditation.

Meditation is a relief. It is like listening to the young child within you in complete peace and serenity. In normal time I used to visit Inner Space Cambridge for group meditation. Meditating in presence of my Buddha candle makes me feel his spirituality. I embrace the silence that is connected to the source which is omniscient, omnipresent, all knowing and all being. I have made an affirmation that I chant now a days:

“I am a pure, peaceful, divine soul 

My body is perfect and healthy 

My life is smooth and beautiful

My family is protected, my country is secured

The living space is secured, the whole world is secured

The thing that came already finished completely

God’s energy and purity forms a circle around me, my family, my near and dear ones”

Week 2

For last few days I am not feeling very good. I read an article where I got to know about placebo effect. Placebo is a neurobiological phenomenon that can cause our body to imitate reactions which are not real. Studies have been performed for years to understand the effectiveness of placebo. I do not know much but what I understand with my little knowledge is - if I can create fear, anxiety or illness in my body, I can also create healing.

Samantha Islam

I started to reread the book “You can heal your body” by Louise Hay. As per my experience, it is a good self-help book that I first read on 2017 when I got a severe backpain. Staying without family in this situation is little difficult. I do not know if my subconscious mind is creating any fear or anxiety. However, I am trying my best to properly embrace my isolation time. Isolation is a time for self-love, and I am trying to figure out what kind of company I am to another person. If I am bored of another person I can complaint, but if I am bored of myself, lol J This time seems like a break for self-care, meditation and exercise. Through this experience I hope to find my better version.  

I am giving myself an idea that life is going normal. I am avoiding news as much as I can. I try to concentrate on my research at least for few hours. Writing is acting as a regimen at this moment.

2 April 2020

Week 1

I am Samantha Islam, a Cambridge Commonwealth scholar pursuing PhD on improving food quality via traceability technologies at Department of Engineering. I was born and raised in a small beautiful country, Bangladesh. My parents and my younger brother live there. I did not grow up in a well-off family but was blessed to receive couple of scholarships that helped me to follow my heart. This is not the first time I’m away from my family. I spent years in Malaysia and Australia for my research-Masters and research job in Monash University and UNSW based in Australian Defence Force Academy.

My resolution for the year 2020 was to increase my consciousness, become more positive and accept any people or situation. I started waking up 5 am in the morning, praying and meditating more every day. When I first read the news of coronavirus outbreak, I definitely did not expect a pandemic. However, when multiple countries got severely hit, panic swelled in my brain. I subconsciously started to say in my morning prayer- “God please save humans, save the world. I never saw this much chaos, I’m terrified, what do you want…?”. Suddenly I noticed I’m praying for the whole humanity. Is that what God wants from all of us? I do not know the answer. It is not the time for any philosophy. It is the time for awareness.

Gradually, I managed to cope with my new way of living. I got help from a documentary “One strange rock” based on experience of eight astronauts. How they managed their day to day life in a small confined space station without gravity and sunlight is a great motivation. I at least have sunlight and gravity. I’m only obliged to eat, sleep, study and exercise in my college room. I’m trying to ensure my room is clean and I’m maintaining a good hygiene. As is seen from the documentary, astronautical hygiene is highly important as risk of microbes can be much severe in space. After finishing space mission all astronauts share a common lesson- “The mother earth is immensely beautiful and the only source of life. No other place for living has been yet found in the entire universe”.

Well, there is no punting in the river Cam, no walk in the Jesus Green. Am I bored or feeling low? -Yes, sometimes but I do not let it last longer. I learnt to see the bright sides of all situation. Now I get more time to do things that I cannot do normally for my busy PhD life. I’m spending my isolation time rejoicing at my painting. It helps me to express my thought, emotion, intuition and desire. At this critical moment, I’m not able to portray my solidarity and compassion for the world through the words alone, but my art does carry the intent.

I know we will all again embrace nature, and that is going to be a pretty good day. Till then stay blessed.

27 March 2020