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Don’t let the world steal your joy.
How do we keep from allowing our frenzied worry makes us sick emotionally and physically? How do we keep the world from being able to steal our joy?
While I am not a medical professional, I am a human being who has found these 3 tips to help me greatly during times of great stress, fear, and worry as a disabled individual. I hope these help you too! And of course please always consult your doctor(s) and clergy if you have any specific questions or concerns!
#1. Be Kind
It may seem like a silly one to add to the list but I myself was surprised at how rude and mean people have been on social media. Whether their anger and hatred were directed at events and sports teams being stopped, holiday plans ruined, or politicians who across the aisle seem to be truly trying to help EVERYONE, the anger was mind-blowing.
People on Twitter have resorted to calling others foul four-letter words that I cannot even repeat here. Here are a few samples of tweets from individuals who would likely be much calmer if they were only a wee bit kinder and more compassionate.
No more 5ks, NBA, MLS, jury duty, Hollywood is shutting down-BUT YOU WON’T CLOSE OUR SCHOOLS. Protect our kids and those that teach them. I’m out of my mind angry at you. I have pre-existing conditions and have served these schools for years. Stop threatening me. #ClosetheSchools
— Talvimeri (@talvimeri) March 12, 2020
As much as we like to see ourselves as the victims, I doubt the school districts even know who this person is. They are hardly out to threaten us and make our lives miserable.
People laughing at me cuz I’m mad that disneyland is closing when I have the right to be angry bc passes are literally 5,000$ and I want my money’s worth
— mimi ! ?? (@ameeliuhh) March 12, 2020
Disneyland passes are not really $5,000 (last I checked) but even if that’s so, time to get a little perspective.
This catastrophe makes me really angry at Stein, Johnson, and non-voters. Of course Trump voters are still the worst, but this is on all of you.
— random observer (@randomobserver1) March 13, 2020
Whhaaaa? How are those who voted for Trump in 2016 the ones who are responsible for “this catastrophe”?
#2. Stay Positive
For some people, it seems as if the apocalypse is here. The over the top stockpiling of toilet paper and hand sanitizer is the extreme reaction. Others are full of worry and fear and feel lost in their own corner of the world. But I want to remind you that you are not alone and there are many ways to fill your head with positive messages to outweigh the fearful messages you see on the news and social media.
Here are 4 ideas I always use to brighten my heart and day:
Read the Scriptures. Verses like Psalm 55:22 and Matthew 6:34 are great for times like today.
Watch a funny t.v. show/movie (NOT THE NEWS). I love to watch something funny like Last Man Standing or Disney’s Monster’s Inc. before I go to bed to fill my head with happy thoughts.
Read a happily ever after book. I’m not talking fairy tales but something that you know has a guaranteed happy ending. No books where the heroine ends up dying of cancer or the hero commits suicide after returning from the war. I’m talking happy ending books like Jane Austen’s Persuasion or Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Links.
Create a Happy Playlist. Turn off the news and unplug from social media and create a happy playlist that will have your feet dancing and your hips swaying as you focus on your groove versus something you cannot control. I will be posting my “happy” playlist tomorrow.
#3: Talk to Someone
Do you feel alone? Do you feel like there’s nobody listening? If you don’t live near friends and family there is always the option of Skype or some alternative. You are never truly alone. Someone is out there whom you can talk to. And if they’re a true friend then like Winnie the Pooh says, “a friend is someone who helps you up when you’re down, and if they can’t, they lie down beside you and listen.”
And if you don’t have anyone you can call, try these hotlines that are nonjudgmental:
Samaritans (USA): “No One is Alone”
Call them at 877-870-HOPE (24/7) or
Samaritans (UK): “We make sure there’s someone there for anyone who needs someone.”
Call them at 116 123,
or you could even put your thoughts and feelings on paper and send it to:
Chris
Freepost RSRB-KKBY-CYJK
PO Box 9090
STIRLING FK8 2SA
Continue the Conversation
So how are you going to combat the frenzied worry? Stay safe and stay calm!
Sharing is Caring
Panic is the thing that is way more dangerous. This reminder was very helpful in this time of crisis.
True, we need the positive energy and there’s no need to panic. It’s funny to see what fear can do to people. – Knycx Journeying
Yess to everything you wrote! Positivity is key because there’s nothing we can do. This is an opportunity as well to rest and be with family. We’ve been quarantined a week and even though it’s not easy, I haven’t slept this much in years. 🙂 So I’m enjoying that I finally have a break…
I’m only watching the press conferences now, as the Main Stream Media is completely outed itself to be in the fearmongering business, and worthless as an accurate info source. That alone has upped the positivity in my day! xoxo Robin
Good tips at this moment of crisis. We need to stay calm and spread positivity. Let us hope the crisis gets over soon.
Thank you for the tips. A timely reminder that we always need to keep calm no matter the situation.
Those are all good tips, thanks for sharing. It is definitely important to be kind to one another. Everyone deals with stress and crazy situations in different ways.
We have to be aware that this is momentary but it’s hard and we qqcan take a lot of people in terms of psychology Manor we have to learn how to be kind and positive and help to decrease this disease.
I think these might be the best three tips we could ever get during this time. Attitude means a lot, especially when so many of us are trying to just stay healthy through all of this.
Thanks for sharing this and I can feel the positive energy. Yes, we are all in lockdown yet we should still try our best to be happy and combat this disease, and its very important – Knycx Journeying
i so much agree to this. number 3 is also really helpful. talking to your loved ones especially those who are away is a must to keep the worries away. let’s do this together!
If everyone would just be kind I’m convinced 80% of the issues triggering the worry and anxiety would go away. How is it that something so simple is so hard for people?
It’s been ok so far, but I’m sure as the time goes on, it will be harder to stay positive. My oldest is already upset that she can’t see her friends.
I’m honestly not panicked and hopefully I am always kind. I love this reminder to stay connected however, as an introvert, easy to become completely a hermit!
I agree, staying kind and positive is what we need to do. We all need to do our part to stay in and NOT spread this virus. If we do that we can make a difference and beat this virus. We have to. Stay well!
We all need to understand that this virus is just not an everyday event. And unless we each take our precautions it can lead to a catastrophic situation which slowly it us moving towards. Nice suggestions to keep our cool, not panic and be realistic.
Kindness….kindness….kindness! Me thinks that this is even more helpful than handwashing, itself.
thank you for sharing positivity amidst the crisis. some people now are getting selfish, hoarding some stocks for their own good, not thinking of others. above all, we need to be kind and help each other. together, we can do this!
I just hope things become fine fast and people are relieved of the dreaded fear. Panic needs to be controlled by being calm and cool.
I am so hoping this blows over soon…
Our neighborhood has figured a way to keep our seniors at home by running their errands and doing their shopping. We are also putting together lunches for school kids. Doing something takes away our worrying.
I think we all need to remember to stay calm and be kind right now. The current danger is putting everyone in a state of near panic, and that doesn’t help anyone.