11 Ways I’m Finding Comfort During COVID-19

Since we’ve all been cooped up at home for over a month now, on a scale of 1-10, how restless and stir-crazy are we getting? Currently I’m at a 6, but I’m sure if this extends for another five weeks it’ll be an off the chart number.

As a worrier in general, this pandemic adds to my ever-growing list of worries, which consists of about 90% of things that are beyond my control. While it’s neat to look back on history and ponder on how people handled crises, it’s beyond what I can comprehend as to how they actually lived through them.

“I’ve had a lot of worries in my life, most of which never happened.”

Mark Twain

Thinking back to what events that occurred hundreds of years ago, I have to remind myself that we have established societies and cultures, endured things that have felt impossible, and have made so many advances to get to how we are living today. 

As a whole, we don’t like the unknown, especially when it muddles up our lives and we feel like we’re in limbo with no control. We like things to be addressed and debunked without any room for questioning.

After having my share of news updates and social media conversations, I’m trying to take a step back and examine the aspects of my life that I’m still in control of. In doing so, I’ve been able to find some peace and comfort to know that I’m going to be okay — we’ll all be okay — and that this time will come to an end. 

Ways to Find Comfort and Assurance

Despite living in a time of uncertainty, there are many things that we can be certain about. It’s so easy to dwell on the present circumstance, but we shouldn’t put a laser focus on it because it does us no good and it will only increase our anxiety. Instead, now is the perfect time to self-analyze and take a break from a busy day-to-day schedule that wouldn’t allow us even a day to catch our breath.

We all have our own ways of coping, so I thought I’d share with you some tips and activities that have been helping me during quarantine.

Read

Since the beginning of the year, I’ve been reading The Bible in a Year from the She Reads Truth Bible version. After already reading a quarter through, I’ve highlighted some verses that resonate and reassure me that there’s a bigger plan. Each time I read through the Bible I always learn a little more about each story. It’s amazing at how even though the times are different, the wisdom and advice are still applicable to incorporate in today’s world.

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.“

Matthew 6:25-34 (NIV)

If you’re behind on your reading list, spend a designated time each day to read. Ease your mind, wind down, and get lost in a good novel. 

Establish a Schedule and Stick to It

If you have a notebook or planner, [wait, what is that?] create a weekly routine and abide by it. In the present, try to keep a regular day-to-day schedule.

Example:

• “I will wake up by 7:00 AM, have breakfast, start my morning routine. Then at 12:00 PM, I will ____,” and so on until you have your days/week mapped out. By keeping a schedule, you are able to create a normalcy and have something to look forward even if it isn’t your previous schedule.

Pray, Exercise, Meditate — Stay Healthy and Balanced

Most importantly when being cooped up at home, keep your health a top priority. Don’t be consumed by foods and actions that won’t enrich your life. Despite your daily routine being off-kilter, you are still in control of how you can make the best of your days during this time. Start or end your day with an activity that will ease some of your stress and strengthen your well-being.

Find a Hobby 

If you have said, “If I had more time, I would love to _____,” what’s stopping you now? Even if you can only devote a few hours to let a new hobby flourish, it may be the outlet that helps you get through this time. If you’ve been interested in sewing, crafting, or pursuing another activity, you can start today and don’t stop if it makes you happy.

Pay attention to how you spend your free time. What are you doing? What would you like to be doing?

Document Your Feelings and Situations

Whether you express yourself through writing, art, dance, or music, gather and process your thoughts when you are facing challenging times. Documenting your life gives you a chance to be vulnerable because you’re able to be honest with yourself and this exercise is solely for you. Also, you can look back on what you’ve created as a future reference of moments you may have forgotten or needed to be reminded of.

Listen

If it’s music, podcasts, sermons, pep talks, whatever it might be, listen to something that resonates with you. No matter what you’re going through, it can be therapeutic to simply listen to a message to help get you through a difficult time. Play your go-to songs that make you feel more alive or listen to a podcast regarding a similar situation that you’ve been in.

Relax

Do you feel guilty if you aren’t doing something that’s deemed as productive? I know there may be anxieties piling up during this time, especially financial strains, but when it’s out of your control give yourself time to relax and just be still. Before, weekends may have been your time to rest or plan out an adventure. If you have no work or house chores, rest. Get a good night’s sleep, one that excludes a thousand thoughts running through your mind that prolongs your ability to fall asleep as soon as your head hits the pillow.

Go Outside, Get Fresh Air, and Take a Walk

Even though you’re not able to surround yourself with your loved ones, it’s healthy and beneficial to get some fresh air. Being solely confined within the walls of your home will decrease your will to be productive and it’ll be difficult to find positivity in the midst of this lockdown. If you have a yard or a place within your building complex, take a walk — but remain at a respectful distance away from people. Wherever you are, stretch your legs and feel the sun on your skin!

Find Your Inspiration

If you’re unable to work right now, the days may start blurring together. Don’t keep count and think about how it’s Day #193 of Quarantine because then it’ll feel as if this lockdown will continue without an end date in sight.

Instead, establish a personal mantra that will help you get through this time to keep your spirits up. There is hope and always a light. Your mantra can be a quote, song lyric, or any words that lift you up and boost your energy. 

• “And this, too, shall pass away.”
• I will get through this because I am resilient.
• I may not be able to control how life acts, but I can control how I react.

Keep holding on to hope and faith because this time will pass.

Cut Back on the News

It’s important to be knowledgeable about recent news, but don’t get completely consumed by what’s being reported or give in to checking frequently throughout the day. The more often you check the news, it creates unnecessary panic and worry over things that are beyond your control. As long as you are abiding by the temporary guidelines, limit yourself to how much news you’ll intake. If you’re one that always has to be in the know, perhaps choose to catch up on the news whenever it’s later in the day to see the most recent information. 

Check Up on Your Loved Ones

By now, you’re probably aching to see your friends and family in person. It’s disheartening how our plans have been disrupted, but it’s still pertinent to maintain and strengthen the connection between you and your loved ones. Even though a FaceTime/Skype/Zoom call doesn’t come close to being as wonderful as seeing someone in person, make it a priority to video call and catch up with people. Just because physical presence is off limits at the moment doesn’t mean you have lost the privilege to schedule weekly calls and connect with each other.

Remember: We Will Prevail

There are always two sides to every coin and I’m hoping this one will flip in our favor — one where we’ll learn, grow, and change from this experience. I would love to believe that certain professions and the way the world turns will be viewed through a different lens once we overcome this pandemic. We’ve managed to hang on for five weeks already, just hold on a bit longer.

What are some things you have been doing to keep sane during quarantine?

Stay safe, everyone!