Staying home, staying alive

Every morning, my thoughts sprint into the day before my eyelids open. Uncertainty leads my mind wandering into every what-if corner. Just when I think I’ve thought of everything, another new worry explodes in my brain.

No doubt your own what-ifs follow you around all day and sometimes wake you up at night. The unknowns nudge us all day, what-if…

19 pandemic survival tools

Don’t walk too far into tomorrow. Consider these daily essentials to survive today:

1. WORSHIP MUSIC

Start here. Every single day. Stress distracts, but worship music calms and focuses. This one is non-negotiable; it takes little energy and effort, so just turn it on, breathe it in and breathe it out. Better, yet, sing along. And since you’re stuck at home, go ahead and sing as loud as you want.

2. GRATITUDE

My heart aches for those whose lives, health, finances and jobs are gone or threatened. I’ve already lived my own version of that, but no matter what, there is always something to be thankful for. Make a list, write it down, say it out loud. Remember to be grateful.

3. JOURNAL

I always told my patients, “A journal is a cheap psychiatrist.” Dump your thoughts out of your head and let them spill onto paper. Feel free to develop your own style. Journaling takes many forms; you may want to get out your colored pencils because Bible journaling is especially therapeutic when you can’t make sense of words.

4. GO OUTSIDE

Find beauty. Spring is strutting around as if there were no pandemic. Let the wind or rain touch your face. Inhale wisteria draped through trees and enjoy palettes of pink splattered on azaleas. Listen to the chorus of birds during the day and katydids at night. Walk the dog and wave at your neighbors – from a distance.

5. ROUTINE

Something needs to feel normal. Most of the time, I don’t know what day it is and the odometer on my car hasn’t moved. My biggest adventure is cooking without going to the store. When everything familiar changes, we need security habits. Maintain at least one daily routine, or develop a new one. I’ll confess, working from home, my wardrobe is casual and unmatched, and at this rate, make-up and hair products won’t ever run out! .

5. TALK TO SOMEONE

Phone a friend and call your family. Social distancing shouldn’t mean social isolation. We need each other more than ever. Zoom parties and Facetime are great ways to connect. Laughter is still the best medicine.

7. ADMIT YOUR FEELINGS

When you’re anxious about threats to life as we know it, say so. Fear is an opportunity to find strength when you admit it and ask God for help. Take your doubts and questions to Him and know that He hears you and cares.

8. HELP OTHERS

Think of creative ways to meet the needs of people in your world. Write a letter; deliver a meal; mobilize a cause. Keep tithing because the ministry of the church goes on. Help a little extra where you can and support local business. If you’re able, pay your hairdresser or nail tech something even when you can’t go to your appointment.

9. BREATHE

Don’t forget, God is still on His throne. He knows the present and the future and He never sleeps nor slumbers.

10. GRIEVE

Give yourself permission to grieve what was, what is and the unknown that will be. Study it to understand what you’re feeling and share with others. It is real and it is normal. Pretending it’s ok when it’s not ok, doesn’t make it ok. If you spend an afternoon shedding tears, please understand it is normal and stuffing it away doesn’t make it go away.

11. SHOW APPRECIATION

So many people are doing good things. Shout them out. Those who help don’t do it for recognition, but knowing you’ve made a difference to someone encourages you to keep on.

12. MOVE

Stretch, work out, walk, just get out of your chair. Clean the closets, join an online class, but don’t sit in a puddle of worry. The stir crazier I get, the more I find myself playing the music and dancing through the kitchen. I know, I probably shouldn’t admit that.

13. LOOK FOR BLESSINGS

This slow pace of life has its advantages. House shoes are more comfortable than heels, my car uses a lot less gas parked in the garage, and I’m eating healthier by not eating out. Suddenly we all have the very thing we’ve lamented not enough of for years – time. What will you do with it?

14. CHECK ON SOMEONE

Remember, us extroverts are not ok. Huggers are starved for contact. Burdens are lighter when shared, so reach across the virtual distance and let someone know you are thinking of them.

15. FEAST ON TRUTH

Now is not the time to neglect pouring truth into your mind. Listen to podcast, attend church online, start a group text devotional. We have time to rehearse God’s word and memorize lifelines to help us through the what ifs.

16. FAST

There may be a temptation to resort to unhealthy habits while you’re couped up in your house. The only way to break bad habits is by complete abstinence. That’s particularly tough if food is your addiction, all the more reason to fast for a designated period of time. If the news allows worry to seep into your mind, turn it off. Social media is a great way to stay connected when otherwise isolated, but when it pulls you into the abyss of anger, criticism or any other unwanted emotion, then it’s time to log out for a bit.

17. PRAY

Maybe you wonder why this is so far down the list. Honestly, without doing some of these other things, sometimes it’s hard to pray. Do it anyway. Pray for the sick and those caring for them, pray for those working at home and those no longer working. Most of all, pray for yourself. You just might come out of the season of rest with a real relationship with Jesus. And without prayer, it’s hard to trust.

18. TRUST

God is good; all the time. Either you trust Him or you don’t. Choose to trust Him even in the face of what-if…

19. PASS IT ON

Share your survival skills with others. We need each other.

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