First Baptist Church of Herndon

Your New Normal

Linda Soller | Mar 30, 2020

In your wildest dreams, did you ever expect your new normal to look like your life does today? I’m guessing the answer is no. So, below are a few suggestions for coping with your new normal. They won’t all be right for you, but then again be open to try something new.

1. First - Pray for those you know and those you don’t. Pray for those who are not taking this serious enough and for those who have been hit hardest. Turn it over to God.
2. Find one source of reliable non-political news and don’t overload yourself with it. Too much information can add stress.
3. Remember in the airlines they say put your oxygen mask on first then help others. Why? You can’t help others if you have passed out! Take care of yourself. It’s important.
4. Get exercise. Walk around inside or outside of your house. And if you had a routine exercise program pre-COVID19 then try to keep it up as best you can.
5. Try meditation. Yes mediation. It’s not some scary religion. Meditation helps focus your brain on something other than what is stressing you out. It gives your brain a break. Even better if you can do it at about the same time and place each day / or during the day. Eventually just going to that place may calm you.
6. Contact your friends and family. Use FaceTime, texting, social media, email, snail mail, and the phone. Hearing familiar voices really helps. After you discuss the “how are you doing part”, because you will go there, try talking about routine things. Discuss books you are reading, favorite crafts, and your favorite TV show.
7. Keep a journal. Focus on what went right with your day or week, what you want to do when this craziness is over.
8. Reach out to neighbors to let them know there is life behind that closed front door.
9. Use this time for projects like decluttering, spring cleaning, etc.
10. Turn it over to God.

Life is full of surprises. For now, this is your new normal. One day you will have a story to tell. Only you can write that story.

Be humble, be grateful, and be love in our world this week! :o) Linda