Pretty much anywhere you live, things are a bit different than they were, say, a month ago. If COVID-19 hasn’t arrived in force in your area, be patient as it is probably on the way. About the only place it hasn’t seemed to cause some issues is North Korea, and I suspect that’s probably because of a very fast-acting vaccine they developed that is delivered by firing squad. [Note, that’s just a theory….]
Across the United States and around the world, people are off work or are trying to perform their jobs from home. Businesses, especially locally-owned small ventures, are in very real danger of folding. Parents are being thrust into the role of homeschooling teacher, whether they like it or not, and based on posts I’m seeing on FB, an awful lot of them are struggling.
Breathe
While many stores are recovering and getting shelves filled, there are still holes across the country, especially with paper products. In some areas, I’m hearing meat cases are still pretty bare, too.
And daily, even hourly, we’re inundated with ever-increasingly bad news – numbers of people tested positive, hospitals overrun with patients, death tolls, refrigerator trucks backed up to loading docks because hospital morgues are full. People are stressed, anxious, depressed, angry.
The best advice I can give you is this – breathe. Put everything on hold for a couple of minutes and just…breathe. I know, ironic in a way to advise people to breathe when the big bugaboo going around is a disease that can quite literally take your breath away. But, you need to find a way to relax and simply breathing is a great start.
Concentrate
Concentrate on what you can control, what you can directly impact, and don’t worry so much about the things outside your influence. I know, that’s easier said than done. But, you’ll go nuts if you sit and imagine everything that could possibly go wrong.
Another thing that will help is to try and find some degree of happiness each day, something that brings a smile or even laughter. Maybe it’ll be catching up on a TV show you’ve long been wanting to see. Or spending time playing a game with your children. Or finally reading that book you bought three years ago. The point is to do something, at least one thing, each and every day that has exactly ZERO do with COVID-19, quarantines, stress, or anxiety.
We will survive
We’re going to get through this. Make no mistake, it is likely going to get worse before it gets better. But, if we play our cards right, we’ll come out the other side even stronger.
Until then, though…breathe.
About the author
Jim Cobb is a well known freelance author on survival and other topics.
Want more information about Jim? You can find him and his publications on Facebook by clicking HERE!
Read other articles by Jim Cobb on 3BY by clicking HERE!
