- Breathe. Just because the world around you is in panic, doesn’t mean you have to be.
When you focus on your breathing and take deep breaths, it decreases stress and increases calm. It also has been proven that it increases energy, immunity and improves digestion. - Spend time outside. Doing this will help eliminate fatigue, lower blood pressure and often can help you rediscover your creativity.
Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? (Matt. 6:26-27)
But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’
(Matt. 6:30-31)
Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (Matt. 6:34) - Hug more. It is clinically proven that 15-20 second hugs reduce stress and anxiety. They support your immune system and release oxytocin. Hugging creates a sense of safety, stability and support. Whether you’re a physical touch person or not, hugging is something that a lot of scientists and doctors say is necessary for survival.
*NOTE* Only hug the people that you’re in quarantine with until the pandemic ends and the world rejoices. - Ask God what He loves about you. This may seem super simple, but let Him remind you of your value and the things that He loves about you. Take time to reflect on the words He has spoken over you.
- Be the light. Focus on something or someone outside of yourself and your feelings. Ask God how you can be the light in someone’s life today. How can you encourage someone in this time? Ask God for a word of encouragement or something you can do for another person.
We’re all in this together. We all need each other. Take time today to value yourself and another person. Be filled with hope. Today is a good gift. Let’s make the best of it.