Lockdown 51

Lockdown Day 51 - 16 May 2020

Every time I go out for my weekly shopping I wonder if I am not taking this whole sanitizing strip/wash/shower routine too far. During the weeks preceding Day 1 of Lockdown, we were all coming to terms with washing hands, social distancing and cleaning surfaces. No masks and no shower routine. Then came Lockdown. We stayed home. We heard research telling us how long the virus can last on various items and surfaces. To this day we still don't know if any of these measures, 

except for social distancing, really work (the jury will always be out on this matter). 

And now, after 7 weeks and 2 days, the numbers have not done what we expected and the country is fighting for the economy, for their lives. Not against a virus (South Africans are famous rule breakers🙄) but against Lockdown Levels. 

So I wonder, if I keep my distance, keep my hands clean and wear a screen over my face, isnt that enough? Or am I going to let my paranoia get the better of me and keep the strip/wash/shower routine? 

All of the above set aside, the truth is all of us are in some way or another placed under involutary stress. Lockdown stress.  Most people have a natural instinct to de-stress under 'normal' stress conditions. The process is different for all of us, but we succeed most of the time in keeping the stress at bay. Under the current circumstances research is now being conducted and the number of people suddenly diagnosed with depression and various other stress related conditions has escalated worldwide. 

De-stressing is going to become a regular item on our daily agenda in the months to come. A few de-stressing things to do include music and online shows, dance, reading and creative pastimes such as baking, DIY, gardening and art projects. Spiritual activities such as Bible study, quiet /prayer times  and introspective activities such as blogging (Mm hm aha YEAH 💃) or journaling are also extremely important. Last, but not least, is of course exercise. 

Conducting work, home things and leisure in the same space is challenging. But to do this for an unknown period of time is what makes this even more difficult. This is why you need to have your own therapy hour. Whatever it is, plán for it and do nót compromise! One hour a week at the very least will increase your dopamine and serotonin (happy hormones) levels to make you feel better about yourself and everything else. So have a look at your routine and think about it a little. You be the judge if your therapy hour is satisfactory. 

We are in this together, so we might as well encourage one another. 

But we need to fill our own vessels first. 

The words of Psalm 51:12 from the TPT describe it best, "Let my passion for life be restored, tasting joy in every breakthrough you bring to me. Hold me close to you with a willing spirit that obeys whatever you say." God's got you. 

I leave you with a Danny Gokey song:

https://youtu.be/F77v41jbOYs