Striker Kayden Jackson has been talking about how he is dealing with the lockdown due to the coronavirus crisis and the lack of football.

The 26-year-old says he’s coping OK with his son Arlo keeping him and his partner occupied.

“I’m not too bad,” he said. “It’s obviously a difficult time for a lot of people but I’ve got my family around me, my young son, who is four months old, so he’s definitely keeping me busy.

“I think it’s probably best that he is around and we’re having to do so much around him because it takes your mind off all the negative things at the minute.”

Jackson has previously spoken about the importance of mental health with the club having established a partnership with Suffolk Mind.

“It’s massively important, “ he added. “For me personally I think it’s easier going into every day setting myself targets of things that I want to achieve throughout the day, whether that’s small housework things or going out for a run or exercise of some sort.

“It’s definitely beneficial to be doing something rather than just sitting around and mulling over everything that’s going on at the minute.

“There’s a lot of negative press out there and a lot of bad things going on, you do struggle when you just sit around dwelling on it.”

The current situation is in stark contrast to a footballer’s usual regimented day-to-day routine.

“You know when you’re going in for a session, you know when you’ve got a double session, so you kind of can plan when you when you leave the house in the morning, you can plan what time you’re going to be back to be able to do stuff at home,” the former Accrington man reflected.

“At the minute that’s all been thrown into the air and even during the summer when you’ve got a bit of time off like we have now, you can build things up fitness-wise, you know when you’re going back in so you can look to try and achieve some kind of fitness before you go in.

“At the minute it’s all up in the air. There are no set dates when we’re going to go back. It is tough but you just have to remain positive, stay active and try and stay as fit as possible.”

The Bradford-born frontman says it’s important not to just spend all the time on the sofa: “Exactly that. I’m sure there are a lot of people just sitting playing computer games or watching TV series but I think, and don’t get me wrong, doing that for some of the day is nice, but I definitely think it’s got to be part of a mix.

“You have to do something productive in the day and something challenging at times, just to keep your mind ticking over, whether that’s a quiz or whatever, I know a lot of people are doing quizzes with their family and friends. It’s something I’ve done and I’ve enjoyed over this isolation period.”

Jackson, Town's joint-top scorer with 11 goals along with James Norwood this season, says the squad are in touch with one another online, which has been beneficial: “The gaffer got a small group together the other day just to keep in touch and just see how we all are.

“It is good to see the faces, I think it’s been about four weeks now since all this been going on and football has been stopped, so it’s nice to catch up with a few players.

“Also we’ve got a few workout programmes, not that the club are doing, but a gym in Ipswich [Greshams] has kindly given us all spin bikes so we’ll have regular spin classes on a Saturday morning that a few of the lads get involved with, so it’s good to stay in touch and have a laugh every now and again with them. I’m finding that’s helping me as well.”

He admits he’s missed the dressing room wisecracking: “You don’t realise it’s such a big part of your life until times like this when it’s taken away from you. It’s good just to see the lads and have a bit of banter with them.

“I think it helps raise everyone’s spirits when you’re having a laugh and taking the Micky out of each other. It just makes you realise how much you take it for granted.”

As things stand the EFL has pencilled in a May 16th return to training for the players ahead of a resumption of fixtures behind closed doors reportedly on June 6th, however previous dates have already come and gone and football’s return depends on developments with the pandemic and resultant Government stipulations.

“At the minute it’s just the not knowing, not only is it affecting ourselves as footballers but it’s affecting everyone that wants to get back to work and is missing day to day life,” Jackson continued.

“We’ve been told provisional dates which keep being set back. It’s just a case of just holding on and hopefully everyone follows the guidelines which have been set out by the Government for obvious reasons and I think the better that everyone does follow the guidelines the sooner we’ll be back. Hopefully that won’t be too long in the distant future.”

Asked for a word for the fans, Jackson added: “I just urge them all to just stay in and stay healthy and stay active. We touched before on sitting around on the couch dwelling and not really doing anything productive, it can be damaging not only for your physical health but for your mental health as well. Just stay positive and we’ll see you all at Portman Road very shortly I’m sure.”

Photo: TWTD

ITFCsince73 added 10:20 - Apr 14 Most people are sitting at home worrying about bills that won't be paid. Food they can't afford to buy.....no such worries for footballers. What to do throughout the day to keep the mind busy is a privilege for the few. Keeping food on the table and a roof over one's head is the most important concern for the many.
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MickMillsTash added 10:50 - Apr 14 Form the Scriptures of Terry C. Finishing School- 1.01.01 ''ye shall spend an hour a day shooting with your left foot, and an hour a day shooting with your right foot - and there, you will see the light''
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Dissboyitfc added 11:13 - Apr 14 Give it a rest ITFCsince73 even people with money get mental health issues! Its very simple even those with no money worries have other worries, money is not the only thing to worry about! and what Kayden is saying is very wise and true, an idle miind is the devils playground! So keeping the mind in good health by occupying it with positive stuff is essential, its the only way through this! Blimey i can think of dozen a things at least that can be equally as devastating as money problems and i dont think money is the biggest worry for most, for some yes but the majority i dont believe it will be! Well said Kayden!

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ITFCsince73 added 11:36 - Apr 14 Dissboy. Give it a rest ...and get in the real world. Money is everything with rent to pay and kids to feed...and no work. Crikey do you know how many people have run out of money...not only this country but world wide. Stupid statement. You obviously have plenty of funds....millions don't. GET REAL.
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Dissboyitfc added 14:12 - Apr 14 Yes sadly there will be hardship, but some people live beyond their means and this will be a wake up call for many of those. I know many who have money but no health, they would swap wealth for their health all day long!! I think they would agree MONEY is NOT everything ! Now that is a stupid thing to say!
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ITFCsince73 added 14:31 - Apr 14 You don't achieve good health from living in a cardboard box.
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bluearmy84 added 06:24 - Apr 15 I have to agree with diss boy here and wise words from kayden Jackson nice to see the players come out and talk about their everyday life and ways of dealing with the isolation. nobody has ever been in this situation before so some people will struggle more than others, me and my mrs both been laid off but i find having a routine with kids bit of exercise and an odd job completed throughout the day works well for me physically and mentally worrying about money is a complete waste of energy and if you sit around worrying your only making things worse as it achieves nothing! money is not everything and this isolation has made me take pleasure in the simple things in life, like going on walks, spending time with my children wife things we take for granted in that quest as we work to earn as much as we can! yes i agree having financial issues wont help but your health (mind and body) and family is EVERYTHING not money beacause without that you cannot earn money! i lets hope we can all get through this time safely and then look back at it in a positive way! Theres a few things oll change when things get back to normal and one will be cancel my sky sports, i dont need that!! havent missed the football one bit on tv. i miss playing not watching, those premier boys paid far too much and i think things need looking at in the wage department but thats another debate!! have a good day

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Dissboyitfc added 08:13 - Apr 15 Bluearmy.... great post, really says it all in total agreement with you. I have been asked/told i have to take a substantial paycut when the Furlough period ends. I have used this period to decorate/ spring clean the whole house inside and today i start outside today! there was a time i worried about not having enough time to do these jobs. I would imagine many like me have used this period of time in a positive way! We have a family friend, who is in poor health at the best of times, recent heart problems amongst other issues. he recently was diagnosed with coivd 19 and has been extremely poorly. He is so positive and is an inspiration i know he would swap money worries for what he has to deal with right now! I would just like to add this someone from ITFC called him to wish him well, i know this meant so much to him! So you see, life is what your thoughts make it, if you think you have the worst life in the world and thats exactly what you have. Stay safe everyone and take care!

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ITFCsince73 added 09:41 - Apr 15 Yes great posts Diss and blue army. I'll have to send off to my landlord. Hopefully he has same mindset, stops stressing about the £ 1k rent he didn't receive two weeks back. And is ok to waive at least the next 2 months. Maybe I'll send off to Tesco as well they may sub me this weeks shopping. Stuff dreams are made off! Unfortunately we are not all furloughed. Many families haven't had real funds for weeks. Help for self employed is still many weeks away. “Life is what your thoughts make it”. LOL. Total b******t.

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bluearmy84 added 21:13 - Apr 15 I empathise with you financial struggles and your family has has to be a concern i won't deny that! Unfortunately that is the cards weve been dealt at the moment. It may be an option to ask your landlord for a bit of breathing space you never know? or a loan perhaps? Ultimately though you cannot have a feeling without a thought, so if your mind is dominated with negative/fearful thoughts then this will play at in your lifr.I have no money coming in, but i cannot do anything about that whilst my site is closed so i have changed my thought process to it being a great period to spend and enjoy with my family, whilst getting a bit fitter! if i sit here moaning or worrying about my finances Im not going to rven enjoy the things that I have got. Im pretty sure we would all want to be healthy over wealth at the minute, money is nothing as long as you have enough to survive! I hope your friend gets better soon and im pleased to see the ITFC representative get in touch!! keepsafe

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coolcat added 12:54 - Apr 17 Wise words from Kayden Jackson. Stressful time for everyone. Easier said than done but it is important to have a routine. Found myself slipping into hours of browsing on the laptop and watching the news. Easy to get into a negative mindset. Make myself go out for a walk/shopping for my friend I live with who is 70 & is 'shielding' & catch up with overdue tasks. Going out for a walk nr London Bridge is a nightmare for keeping 2m distance! It's crazy but that's how it is. Sorry to hear about your plight itfcsince73 echo the words of bluearmy above. Don't know you obviously but hope things improve for you & stay safe. :)

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