By Cindy Thomas
It’s hard to fathom just how much the entire world changed in only a matter of days. Covid-19 has changed every country across the globe, leaving many wondering how to cope with the quarantine they may still find themselves faced with.
I’m a home body, so staying at home is pretty much fine with me. But there’s so many out there that just don’t know what to do – they’re still in quarantine and lockdown, and still faced with being around a spouse and/or kids 24/7.
I’ve been married for 21 years. John and I have been around each other pretty much every day all day for those 21 years and we get along great. But lots just aren’t that way. And lots sadly just aren’t happy with their kids being home all the time now.
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Frankly, it’s time to find the joy again – the joy of a husband and wife being together and the joy of having the kids around all the time. After all, marriage and parenting should be great and happy, not making the spouses and parents unhappy.
You can help stop the spread of Covid-19 by following simple practices:
1. Only go out if you have to – for food, for meds, etc. Necessary travel only, not just to be getting out. When you shop for food, shop for two weeks worth if you are able to. The idea is to stay at home as much as possible and avoid getting out around other people.
2. When you must go out, be sure to stay at least 6 feet away from others.
3. Wash you hands often, at least 20 seconds.
4. Wash often touched surfaces, such as door knobs, light switches, counters, handles, etc., often.
5. Avoid touching your face, nose, eyes when out shopping or getting meds or anything else that’s in a public place. Use hand sanitizer in your vehicles after getting groceries or being out in a public place. Wash your hands as soon as you get home.
6. If you are sick or not feeling well, stay home – seriously, stay home.
7. Breathe… 🙂
Being under quarantine during the Covid-19 virus pandemic is causing so many people to be overwhelmed. I’m a homebody and I love being around my family, so for me, staying home and being around family is normal and welcomed. Sadly, this is not the case for everyone.
The stress and anxiety from being confined with a spouse, with kids, possible medical issues, financial issues, the need to homeschool and/or do virtual learning, the need to stay home, etc… all of this and more is simply overwhelming to a lot of people.
It’s important to understand that the situation as it is now won’t last – this is temporary. The Coronavirus will (hopefully) be gone and the pandemic will (hopefully) end. We can’t control what is happening in the world right now, and that can cause a lot of anxiety… and even panic. Realizing there is a light at the end of the tunnel can help you to maintain calm and peace.
One way to battle the overwhelm is to create a daily routine. Creating a daily routine allows you to focus and gain control of what you can – your time.
These ideas for creating a daily routine are just that – ideas. Tweak them, add to them, take away from them – for whatever your needs are for your family.
Start the day off with a healthy breakfast. Eat a healthy dinner and a healthy supper. Eat until you’re not hungry, not until you’re stuffed. You’ll feel better and it will stretch your food to last longer.
Get in the habit of daily exercise. If you’re not able to get out and exercise like you might normally do, you can always walk around your home. If you have kids, make it into a game so it’s more fun for them. If you have a treadmill or exercise bike, use them.
There are online workout programs that you can exercise along with. Or just turn on your favorite music and dance around the room to it. No music? Dance to the music in your soul.
If you have a yard and are able to go outside, take advantage of it and run or walk. Get some sunshine. So many right now don’t have that luxury. If you’re in a apartment and aren’t able to go outside, open windows and let fresh air in.
Be sure to keep up your personal hygiene – brush your hair, brush your teeth, and take a shower. Don’t allow depression due to the global pandemic to keep you from keeping a good routine going.
For those with kids who are now homeschooling, set aside at least a couple of hours a day for schooling. Remember that learning isn’t all about worksheets and book learning, it’s about learning in general. This can be just about anything where the child learns. Don’t assume that because you aren’t a teacher that you can’t teach. You’re a parent, and that makes you totally qualified to teach your own kids.
It might also be helpful to have the kids keep a journal during the Covid-19 pandemic. Writing in a journal can help them (and you!) get their feelings out, which can in turn help keep down the panic and anxiety.
During the quarantine lock down, there are still chores to be done. If you’re homeschooling, some of these chores can cross over into homeschooling. Life lessons, cooking, gardening, carpentry, sewing, painting, etc…
For me personally, THE most important part of a daily routine is to take time for prayer and God. This has been part of my daily routine for many years, so it’s nothing new for me. But so many need to get back to God, and now is the perfect time to do it. You’re home, you have the time while at home. Knowing God, being His child, brings such peace. Just knowing that no matter what happens in this life, we will be fine – either on this side or the other side. Use the time you have right now to talk to God. Make it a daily routine. 🙂
