Well, it looks like we’re in it for a longer haul than originally hoped, friends. The suggested quarantine/shelter-in-place guidelines were extended through the end of April and there are signs it could reach into May. As the coronavirus pandemic still grips the world, many folks have already been staying home for a few weeks. Tensions are high and anxiety is higher.
I had to quit watching the news, and I’ve only read or watched a couple coronavirus symptom related pieces. I’d drive myself crazy with worry if I absorbed it all. I check the status of affairs via White House press conferences and similar, hearing updates straight from the doctor’s or official’s mouth on a somewhat regular basis.
Tons of memes on Facebook joke about toilet paper, empty shelves, boredom and interesting ways to while away the time. There are posts from people who know other people who have contracted the virus and are fighting for their lives. Other folks have had it and say it wasn’t that bad.
And, there are a wide range of opinions from people who think it’s nothing more than another flu type illness to people who think it’s pretty close to apocalyptic. People who are happy with America’s response and those who aren’t. They all have compelling arguments.
To tell you the truth, I have no idea what to believe anymore but one thing is certain — this quarantine isn’t going to make this new illness disappear. Pretty much all of us, sooner or later, are going to be exposed. What the quarantine will do is enable our health care system to better manage the shear number of patients coming in, enable them to learn more about the illness and how to treat it, and it will enable us to get as healthy as possible in order to better fight off the infection if we do get it.
So, right now, all we can do is keep our heads down, follow all the recommended guidelines, stay as healthy as possible, support others as much as possible given the constraints, and be prepared to help this nation rebuild once our economy is open for business again.
What we cannot do is to be overcome with fear or depression. It’s just not healthy. What does it help?
Yes, do all the things to be smart and compassionate and safe, but we can’t let this pandemic shut us down spiritually, emotionally, or physically. We still have a lot to offer this world.
We will come out of this!
I pray the economy bounces back with unprecedented fervor and that we’ll be stronger as a nation and a world people.
Amidst all the uncertainly and chaos, perhaps let us try to find the nuggets of positive things that have come about from this down time. Here are a 11 ways to find peace and create opportunity amid coronavirus fears:
Quality time with family members. Husbands, wives, sons, daughters, brothers and sisters are getting to know each other again. Families are also realizing their pets are even more awesome than they thought. Of course, now, I may need to do a post on achieving alone time. - House or yard projects that have been put off for months or years can now be started and, hey, maybe even finished. Or, plant a garden.
- Actually cook some of the recipes that you’ve saved on Pinterest.
- Start self-care practices that you’ve dreamt about “if only you had the time,” like dry-brushing, oil pulling, or stretching.
- Work on hobbies and develop talents. Want to write a book? Get started. Want to learn to play the ukulele gathering dust in your closet? Go for it.
Finally read all the books stacked on your nightstand. (I have a huge to-read list!)- Start the blog, build the online business.
- Work on building yourself and your family up.
- Begin an exercise and nutrition program. There are a ton of online programs to choose from and many gyms, like CrossFit gyms, are now online and accepting new virtual clients. Two great ones I know of are Townie Fitness and CrossFit Plant City.
- Bake a meal for a neighbor or go grocery shopping for an elderly neighbor when you venture out to do your own shopping.
- Spend time reading the Bible and rekindling, or beginning, your relationship with the Lord. There are many resources online to help with this as well, including right here on this blog!
There are so many things to be thankful for during this time of uncertainty. Focusing on what we do have and what we are thankful for is a tool we can use to combat crushing worry while increasing joy.
What has your experience been with any of these points? What other things are you doing/have you done to create positivity?
Note: A different version of this post was published as a column in The News Observer on 4/8/2020.
Lauren Gail's My Vine Life 