While this season may seem strange and extraordinary, we can rest assured that God remains unchanged no matter our circumstances. We can trust Him with our worries and concerns, and He is ever-present, even in the midst of social distancing.
If you’re curious about how you can survive the remainder of quarantine, you’re in the right place. We’ve put together a list of ideas for you to consider as you try to process everything that’s going on and keep your sanity amidst all the unrest.
1. Draw near to the Lord
If ever there was a time to get back on track with your daily devotionals, this time is prime for that. Even if you can only manage five minutes when you first wake up and are sipping your coffee, getting to know Jesus little by little can have a huge impact on your life and how you process the world events taking place right now. A lot of people are turning to fear and anxiety during this time and letting that run wild with their thoughts, sleep, and well being. Instead of giving into fear, turn to God, and trust Him. Tell him what you’re thinking and feeling, and then take some time to listen and trust His promises.
If you’re having trouble connecting with the Lord during this season, that’s okay too. Your relationship with God won’t look the same in every season, but try your best to stick with it. Reach out to your church community for encouragement and see if they have any resources for you.
2. Get outside
One of the beautiful things about self-quarantine is that outdoor exercise is allowed and encouraged. Do your best to get outside and breathe fresh air every single day if possible. Being outdoors has a ton of benefits for you, and daily exercise is recommended no matter what the state of the world is.
Drive to a state park and (if it’s open) get to know some of the trails. Take a walk around your neighborhood and try to notice something new about all the homes or apartments around you. Walk around a nearby lake or visit a nature reserve. Take your lunch outside and eat a picnic in the park. Wherever you are or whatever you’re doing, see if it translates to outdoor activity and get a little extra Vitamin D in your system from the sun.
3. Stay social—virtually
It can be really easy to let your social life fall by the wayside during this season, but it’s still important to check in with your friends and family on a regular basis. Embrace video chats, phone calls, and text away. Trying turning on your video chat and cook dinner while a good friend is cooking dinner and then eat together. Set a date to watch a movie with your buds, or go the old-fashioned route and write a letter to someone.
You might feel overwhelmed with all the video calls happening these days, and there’s a good reason for that. It takes a lot more effort to socialize over video chat for a variety of reasons, and it’s not as easygoing as hanging out in person. If you’re already spending lots of time on Zoom or another video platform for school, there’s nothing wrong with connecting with people through other platforms.
4. Don’t be so hard on yourself
A lot of people feel like this time at home means you should be getting all the fun projects finished, like redecorating your apartment or baking the world’s greatest sourdough loaf. Don’t get sucked into the idea that you have to be doing things constantly simply because you’re at home. Staying home in times like these takes a lot of extra effort because you may be dealing with new anxieties, a brand new schedule, differences in your finances, or a new living situation.
Whatever you’re facing, don’t be so hard on yourself and the number of things you can get done. There is so much grace during this season.