It may be hard to see a silver lining during a pandemic that has the population stuck at home to meditate on their fears, but it is there if you choose to look for it.
Daily life has changed drastically- kids are home from school, your husband is working less, and running to Target for a new pair of jeans is out of the question.
But even when you are stuck homeschooling multiple children with cabin fever, hyped up on granola bars, there are still ways to implement a positive outlook.
Use these four tips to create a positive environment in the home when the world around you is suffering from uncertainty and dread.
1. Count the small things
The Guardian reports:
“Even during lockdown you still have many small moments to savour. The smell of coffee, the feel of the warm shower on your back and so on.”
Stop and smell the roses, as one may say.
It’s easy to take simple pleasures for granted. With soccer practice, bake sales, and endless meetings put on hold, slowing life down should be attainable.
As you enjoy things, your brain is producing the feel good hormone serotonin; and we could all use a little more of that in our lives right now.
2. Build your relationships
This may seem like an unintelligent thing to say seeming everybody is practically ordered not to hang out with friends right now, but there is more than one way to strengthen relationships.
For those of us who have family members in the home, it is a great opportunity to play those board games you never got to use, or have meaningful discussions about our impact on one another in society as individuals take responsibility to not spread the coronavirus to neighbors and loved ones.
The Guardian suggests:
“Take the time to hug your kids or partner, look them in the eyes, have long conversations with them – all of these gestures promote closeness and also boost your oxytocin, which is a hormone that bonds people and also has a calming effect on your body.”
For friends and family outside the home, send letters, video chat, and create unified goals you can work on together like a new fitness routine.
3. See the good
COVID-19 has caused a lot of death, fear, and destruction of financial systems, but it has caused the nation to bind together in a way that has been difficult in recent years with the political divide.
Neighbors are caring for one another’s needs by making care packages and grocery store runs.
Relatives are checking in on one another when they haven’t had the time to in months.
Businesses and citizens alike are writing encouraging messages to show support for those struggling, and to give hope that our nation will see this through.
You may have seen a gruesome battle between two housewives over the last roll of toilet paper when this all started, but the kindness being shown can prove the glass is half full.
4. Keep a gratitude journal
Maintaining therapeutic exercises to keep a healthy mental outlook is important during times of increased stress.
One such activity is keeping a gratitude journal, narrowing in all the things that are going right in your life.
Illness may be gripping those around you, but maybe your children are healthy and your son finished his math without an argument.
Writing in a gratitude journal helps instill thankfulness in children, as Mommy Underground has previously reported, so getting the whole family involved will only bring more positivity into the mix.
These are trying and scary times, but staying positive can help you and those around you to see it through with increased ease and hope.
The country will not be on lockdown forever, and humans have defeated attacks on our health much worse than this.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to COVID-19 sufferers, and we thank all those who have contributed to helping those in need during the pandemic.