COVID-19 Update

COVID-19 is currently saturating our airwaves and news station. We are under “Stay-At-Home” Ordnances throughout the nation to keep at bay a virus that feels as if it is taking over our lives. Many are living in a state of hysteria and fear. This may seem that it should be the natural reactions, however, I want to give you some encouragement. You can be in a state of peace during this season.

To honor those in authority, I have closed my practice until April 30th or longer if deemed necessary to help the prevention of this virus spreading. However, I do feel it is important to continue to be an encouragement to those around me. I would like to share several things I am doing to help me to stay on track and hope that they will be a benefit to you!

Practical Things We Can Be Doing

The Natural Basics

Of course, there are the basics that we have been hearing, but always a good reminder:

1. HANDS – Wash them often with soap and warm water for at least 20 minutes (joyfully singing your ABC’s 2x) or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable.
2. COUGH – Cough into your elbow or a tissue that can be thrown away immediately.
3. FACE -Avoid touching your face. Viruses come in the body through the mouth, nose, and eyes.
4. DISTANCE – “Social Distancing” – Stay more than 6 feet apart from people. Distance will prevent contact of any fluid that may be released if someone is coughing or sneezing around you.
5. FEEL – If you are feeling sick, stay home and rest (ok well many of us are already at home) and call your doctor if you have a concern.

Some Soul Care

Many may be experiencing an increase in chaos in their homes with children home from schools and work from home conditions. Others may be experiencing just the opposite with increased solitude, which can lead to an increase in depression or anxiety.

Here are some other suggestions to help during this season that you may not have considered:

1. STICK TO A REGULAR SCHEDULE – During what would be considered your normal week, set a regular schedule and stick to it. Get up, shower, and get dressed as if you were going about a normal day. Maintain regular meals times, exercise, and rest. This is also great for kids to keep them on track, including school, play time, and eating.
2. INCREASE POSTIVITE INFORMATION INTAKE– Substantially reduce the amount of news you are watching to 15-20 min/day if that. Get the information updates that you need and move on. Read your favorite book (my preference is the bible), get your creative juices flowing with your favorite hobby, play games with your family. Focus on what you can control in your life.
3. STAY CONNECTED TO OTHERS – We all need relationship, even if it is digital! Give a call to those you haven’t connected with in a while, write letters or send someone a card just to cheer them up. They probably aren’t feeling much different then you are right now. For all you techie folks, thank goodness for the digital age! Connect with others view Zoom, Facetime, or Skye. Marco Polo is a great video texting app, which I have found very useful. Tell your stories, people relate to your situation, because we really are all in this together!
4. GIVE YOUR BRAIN A BREAK – Movement and exercise work great, get your body moving. Pray, breathe, pray some more. Whatever works best for you to quiet you brain will do wonders for your mental health.
5. CONNECT WITH NATURE – As we move into spring time, enjoy the outdoors. Nice walks, playing in your gardening (well at least starting to plant it), and riding bikes with family. Hikes in the mountains and breathe in the fresh air! If you are not close to the mountains just being outside soaking up some Vitamin D will do that body good. Listen to the melody of the birds chirping! I have been seeing lots of robins!
6. BE GRATEFUL – Gratitude can turn a negative emotion upside down. Start a gratitude journal and write 10 things a day in that you are grateful for. Just look around you, even the simplest things can be a blessing.
7. BE GENEROUS – Serving others can give you a totally new perspective on your situation. This can be as simple as calling someone on the phone and encouraging them! If you are healthy and safely move around offer to pick up groceries for those who are quarantined or elderly. Help at local food banks. There are many people that are sewing special items for medical teams. Generosity doesn’t always mean you have to give money. Serving is a special commodity that will not only help those in greater need then yourself but will do wonders for your heart.
8. CHOOSE JOY – “Laughter is medicine for the soul!” Even in times of great suffering or darkness we can find joy. Laughter breaks off the bondage fear and can smash that grips of anxiety. Joy is our strength and we can move forward in the midst of this storm.

Strengthen Your Spirit

You may not have the same belief system as I do, and that is ok, however I do think this is a perfect time to deepen relationship with God. For me this is probably the most important to help me maintain peace, joy and self-control. Without deepening my relationship with God, I can’t do many of the things that I listed above.

I have found several practical ways to make sure I am connected during this season:

1. READING THE BIBLE DAILY – technically this should have been done before a major pandemic in the world, but even an increase. Psalms, Proverbs and the 4 Gospels are a great please to start.
2. WRITING SCRIPTURE – I have been writing out scripture daily. This is a phenomenal way to receive revelation of what you are writing. You have to slow down reading the scripture to be able to write it, causing a bit of contemplation on what is being said.
3. GRADITUTE JOURNAL – I know I mentioned this above, but I think it is so important to get perspective of what blessings are all around us. The air we breathe, the people who are around us helping us to walk through this journey, and every little thing that we may be taking for granted on a “normal” day.
4. WORSHIP – The are so many YouTube videos and songs on Spotify that can bring us into the presence of God. Jesus himself said “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need”. Worship allows me to set aside every chaos and uncertainty around me, and focus my eyes on Him. It is amazing how fear, stress and worry melt away in His Presence.
5. PRAY – Nothing brings us closer to anyone then to have conversation with that person. That is what prayer is – a conversation between you Jesus (Holy Spirit). God hears our prayers and tides change when we are diligent to stay connect with Him through prayer.

I am praying blessing over you during this season!

Although, as I mentioned above, to honor my authority and to protect my clients, I have closed my practice until at least April 30^th, but I hope that you have found these suggestions encouraging, practical, and foundational to helping maintain a healthy lifestyle during this season of uncertainty.