There is so much going on in our world right now, and as we spend the last few days and weeks at home to control the spread of COVID-19, you may be experiencing added stress if your community is partially starting to reopen.
Often crises come to disturb things, to move you to a new level, and build your character because you never know who you are until something hits you to the point that test who you really are. Also, crises build up your stamina. When you feel like you can't keep moving forward, God gives you the strength to endure and build up your faith and trust in Him.
Use this free time to incorporate the following into your daily routine:
Wake up earlier to pray, meditate, or reflect as this will give you a positive start to your day.
Do at least one thing you truly enjoy each day to reduce your anxiety and boost your mental health.
Become wiser by reading books that help you grow in multiple areas of your life (e.g., self-help or personal finance books), or listen to a podcast on a subject that is of interest to you.
Write your thoughts and feelings in a journal to help you clarify and put them in perspective. For example, write about current challenges in your life, or share about something that has made you proud or happy during the past few weeks.
Make it your priority to stop procrastinating because procrastination leads to stress. Create a list of short-term goals and start putting them into action. Now is an excellent time to get your financial house in order by creating a budget to cut back on unwarranted spending, as well as setting up a plan to establish an emergency savings fund to cover expenses for a subsequent economic downturn or some other crisis.
Make time for solitude every day. It may be challenging if you have other people living with you; however, getting some alone time is very important.
Take a brisk walk outdoors in your yard or on your street, or do yoga or some aerobic exercise when you feel stress starting to build. These activities are all good for your physical and mental health.
Count your blessings. You may not have everything you want; however, be grateful for having the essentials such as food, a roof over your head, running water, and electricity.
Enjoy sharing this time with family and friends via video chat. Most importantly, stay connected with others, which helps your mental health.
If you've lost your job, don’t think of yourself as a failure because it can keep you paralyzed. You may feel like you've been knocked down a few times, but you will not fall apart. On the contrary, the more you assert your ability to take control over your life, the stronger you will become. Update your resume and learn some new skills by taking online courses.
Keep a consistent schedule, especially if you are now working from home, as this will give you a daily routine to follow as you prepare to return to work.
Go to bed 30 minutes earlier than usual to get plenty of sleep, so you feel well-rested and experience a great day ahead.
I have learned some of my best life lessons during crises. Most importantly, God has helped me through each crisis by giving me the strength to keep moving forward. My prayer for you is to have peace and not be so worried or anxious, but to come away from this crisis with new determination.
Put your trust in God, and please take care of yourself and your loved ones.
God Bless,
Livia
aka Livia Kelly (Author)
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Livia Kelly is the Author of Unmarried and Debt-Free. Livia's book has made Amazon's #1 Best Seller list in Personal Budgeting and Two-Hour Self-Help Short Reads. Her goal is to simplify finance by providing sound and useful guidance about budgeting, saving, tackling debt, and achieving financial success on your own. More information can be found at https://www.liviakellyauthor.com. Follow Livia on Facebook and Instagram @liviakellyauthor.