Calming Thoughts for Anxious Times
photo by laurel creative
Over the past couple of days the news has seemed to hit a fever pitch. That point to which makes people think twice about their restrained attitude towards the spread of this new virus. If you are already struggling with keeping your anxiety or depression in check, this could be a very trying time. The first step is to recognize that and give yourself some grace. The second would be to make a plan to keep your own mental health in check.
There I was watching the news in the morning. Wondering if just maybe I was making a huge mistake not stockpiling toliet paper. What once seemed silly and something reserved for my mother to worry about, for some reason seemed real. Okay, I didn’t feel like I needed to stockpile toliet paper, but I thought about food and everyday medicines. For the first time, I felt like I did not have a sense of what was going on. The level headness I thought I had been keeping started seeping away. I was now caught between not wanting to feed into panic, but yet wanting to make sure my family had what they needed. I may not be hoarding supplies, but if the general public does, and things are shutting down I will no doubt become affected.
First thing I did was take an honest look at my pantry, freezer, fridge, and medicine supplies. As well as Siena’s diaper situation. Made sure to check expiration dates and see what things I had multiples of.
Looked at my current food supply and thought of how many different meals I had the capacity to make and how far that would take me. This for me was two fold. I do not want to contribute to food waste, where I buy massive amounts of things I do really need. Plus, on the positive side now is a really great time to experiment with ingredients and challenge me to really use my food items!
So then I headed out to the store to do my regular scheduled food shopping and grab a couple of more shelf stable items. Okay, and one pack of toliet paper. As I was out I stopped at my first store. Things just felt weird, I picked up on the panic vibe. As I saw shelves empty, and people loading up their carts. My stomach started flipping, and I noticed. I then noticed my heart was beating fast. As much as I was trying not to, my nerves were kicking in. I mean I literally thought I was going to crap my pants. I know that is TMI, but maybe you need a laugh?
In that moment I prayed for God to calm my nerves an to infiltrate my subconscious.
Then I started humming certain songs to myself. Different choruses of worship songs. To my surpise (which I shouldn’t have been), it worked.
The second store was wiped out of all meat, which to me looked crazy. That wasn’t helpful. Because I began thinking, does everyone else know something I don’t? However, reality check, we do not need meat to live. My vegetarian wanna be vegan sister proves that this not necessary. Is is really so bad if I live off pasta for two weeks? Should really be a dream come true. So here is what I ended up purchasing:
Chicken and beef broth. Because from that I can make soups, I can braise meats, and it can help with sauces. You could also purchase other soup bases. Plus I use these items pandemic or no pandemic.
I bought a LITTLE extra flour. Why? Because maybe for fun, I will bake a bit? Or flour is a great base for pasta, bread, dough, biscuits and the list goes on. Did I buy 10 bags? No! Just a mini one to supplement what I already had.
Oatmeal. Because oats are filling and can be made savory or sweet.
Frozen fruit and vegetables. The main thing that sends me to the store is getting fresh produce for Siena. I can thaw the fruit, although not the same I can make it work. Make smoothies with it. Boiling frozen veggies is really not that bad if you do not over do it. Then throw them in a pan and saute them quick!
Perishable almond milk. This would be the most “emergency-ish” thing I bought.
Canned beans and tuna. Chickpeas are great in salads and sauteed. Italian tuna
Frozen Shrimp. Shrimp can be put over pasta, salad, and polenta!
Which brings me to rice, polenta and basically any grain of choice as well as dried beans. I have some dried lentils I am going to bring to like and pair with pancetta.
Pancetta or prosciutto! Lasts in the fridge for a bit and is great to add to a regular tomato sauce or to help out our beans!
Produce such as acorn squash, and potatoes have great shelf life. I love tossing the acorn squash in maple syrup and chipotle, then baking!
I also have jarred olives and capers on hand to give different dishes some added flavor love. But I guess that would be considered luxuries?
Other thoughts i have had are thinking of this:
It is not winter! Although we may not be able to visit places like we normally do we are not totally stuck in doors. The weather is getting warmer and the sun is shining. We can still take walks, bring the kids outside to draw with chalk and blow bubbles.
Thank God I have the means to go purchase extra food and medicine.
What closets need to be cleaned out and organized? Being I have to be home more and so does my husband. Let’s make a list together of a couple of things we would like to accomplish that we wouldn’t other wise b/c we are busy being super social.
Let’s only check the news periodically. Maybe just in the morning and once at night. Not have it on the tv steadily streaming throughout the house. Put on the worship music and fill your home with his calming presence.
Do you have extra time and resources? Can you make an extra meal and drop it off to someone who is truly home bound or struggling to feed their family as the cannot work their job? Thinking of how you can help others can really get your mind off yourself!
Grab a couple of more acitivties for your kids. Because they are stuck home as well. And quite honestly, let’s just give each other a pass on the tv watching!
Our schedules may be changing but still get up and get dressed! It helps keep some sort of routine and motivation. I always have to be careful I do not give into the all day pj temptation.
I have to keep telling myself this isn’t forever. This is a small amount of time that we will eventually be looking back on. Yes, I am sad our disney trip is cancelled. Yes, I am slightly worried about our parents who are older somehow getting this. But I have to remind myself of God’s promises and keep these verses close to my heart:
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6
The Lord will keep you from all harm- he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. Psalm 121: 7-8
But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high. I call out to the Lord, and he answers me from his holy mountain. I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me. Psalm 3:3-5
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze Isaiah 43:2
The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. Psalm 34:10
Please note: If you are feeling anxious or as if you may be having physical symptoms of a panic attack please call your local healthcare provider. Furthermore, if you are feeling hopeless and having thoughts of a suicidal nature please reach out and talk to someone immediately: 1-800-273-8255 and speak with a counselor. Isolation is challenging for us all please do not hesitate to reach out family, friends, and again healthcare providers.