by Nina Palumbo, Clinical Social Worker certified in Spiritual Christian Counseling
Changing Times
As I was wading through the latest round of COVID-19 work emails and news headlines the 1960s song by Bob Dylan came to mind, “The Times They are a Changin’.” For those not familiar with this classic from the Civil Rights era, many versions can be found on YouTube. Although anticipated to be just a temporary moment in time, everyone is being asked to change, adapt, adjust, and be flexible. Routines are changing. Routines provide us with a sense of predictability and a feeling of safety and security in a world full of unknowns. You’re not alone if all these changes and restrictions leave you feeling anxious and on edge. It’s normal to feel sad, stressed, confused, scared or even angry during a crisis. One of the headlines I came across read: “Keep calm but have an emergency kit; U.S. doctors share tips for coping with the coronavirus.” The most important aspect of preparedness costs nothing at all: Keep Calm. Easier said than done, as I have had to get up from my desk this past week several times to take breaks, get fresh air, and simply remind myself to breathe. So, what is in our control?
Get your information from reliable sources. Follow the advice and listen to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and your own personal physician. Being prepared minimizes worry. Take the steps to stay healthy. Take deep breaths, stretch, meditate, pray. Stay informed, but one of the best things you can do for your own mental health is to limit your exposure to media and focus more on what is within your immediate control. Stay involved in your work, your family and friends, hobbies and interests. Social distancing is not social isolation. Stay connected and better yet reach out to those that may be feeling increased isolation and loneliness. Maintain a routine although an adjusted one. Go for a walk or exercise at home. Use your extra time for a spring cleaning or decluttering projects, to learn something new or take a class online.
I know that many of you are avid readers. With the libraries closed share your books, magazine, DVDs from your own collections with others. Reach out to others and let your needs be known. For those with mental illness, be sure to continue your treatment regimes. Consider developing a plan for telehealth sessions with your providers.
As Christ followers we need to remember that our God is a “refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble,” (Psalm 46:1). The scriptures are full of reminders that we are not alone, and that God is our comforter. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God,” (2 Corinthians 1:3). As a collective group of believers at Fee Fee, we will get through this together. We may even be the Light that others may so desperately need.