{"id":2286,"date":"2020-10-07T00:28:54","date_gmt":"2020-10-07T00:28:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/yourmorningcupofinspiration\/?p=2286"},"modified":"2020-10-07T00:28:54","modified_gmt":"2020-10-07T00:28:54","slug":"making-the-most-of-being-cooped-up-during-covid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/yourmorningcupofinspiration\/2020\/10\/making-the-most-of-being-cooped-up-during-covid.html","title":{"rendered":"Making the Most of Being Cooped Up During COVID"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"cooped<\/a>
Photo by Tatiana from Pexels<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Recently, more and more of my friends are starting to feel the strain of being cooped up during COVID-19. For instance, I have one friend who is single.\u00a0 He misses the ability to have friends over for dinner or drinks.\u00a0 These days, he feels quite lonely because he is unable to see his friends regularly and in-person.<\/p>\n

By contrast, I have another friend who lives with her husband and son in a city apartment.\u00a0 Their tight quarters usually are not an issue since her husband normally works at an office, and her son goes to school.\u00a0 However, since the pandemic started, her husband is working from home, and her son is attending school online.\u00a0 So, the three of them are cooped up, 24\/7, in a small apartment.\u00a0 After 6 months of this, all their nerves, understandably, are getting frayed.<\/p>\n

Whether you are living with people, or you are on your own, the pandemic restrictions are challenging.\u00a0 It is no small wonder that so many people want to say, \u201cThe heck with it,\u201d and go back to normal life, regardless of the risks.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, we aren\u2019t out of the woods yet with respect to the pandemic.\u00a0 So, mask wearing, social distancing and aggressive handwashing are things that we will be doing for the foreseeable future.\u00a0 Similarly, being cooped up at home is something that we also need to get used to until they find a vaccine.<\/p>\n

The good news is that there are ways to make the isolation of the pandemic a positive experience.\u00a0 It simply takes a shift in attitude.\u00a0 Below are ways that you can make the most of being cooped up during COVID.<\/p>\n

Have A Purpose During The Pandemic<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Many people struggle with the isolation of the pandemic because they aren\u2019t doing their normal activities.\u00a0 Dining out, clothes shopping, and going to the gym are activities that one can do on only a very limited basis these days.\u00a0 Previously, those kinds of activities filled up our free time.<\/p>\n

As a result, due to the pandemic, most of us have more free time on our hands these days.\u00a0 The challenge is to use that time productively, rather than lamenting about how you can’t go to your favorite restaurant.\u00a0 The way to do that is to have a Pandemic Purpose.<\/p>\n

Set some goals to accomplish with your new-found free time.\u00a0 For example, many people are using their free time to adopt healthier habits.\u00a0 Where I live, our development\u2019s walking paths are being used more than ever with folks trying to adopt better exercise habits.\u00a0 At our house, my husband has gotten back into long distance biking, and I have been doing one hour of yoga every morning since the pandemic started.<\/p>\n

You also might consider learning a new skill.\u00a0 For instance, with your free time, you could learn a new language.\u00a0 Or, you could learn a new cooking skill.\u00a0 Many folks have taken up bread making during the pandemic – a wholesome and tasty endeavor!<\/p>\n

The key is to use your new-found free time in a way that is positive.\u00a0\u00a0 Yes, we could spend our time being frustrated by the current situation.\u00a0 But the far better approach is to see our new found free time as an opportunity for self-improvement.<\/p>\n

While Cooped up During COVID, Take Advantage of Technology<\/strong><\/h3>\n

It is hard not to see family and friends in person.\u00a0 And with the holidays coming up, it is especially difficult to not be able to visit with those relatives who are more vulnerable to COVID, and who truly have to be under quarantine.\u00a0 As a result, it is more important than ever to take advantage of technology.<\/p>\n

Video chatting is a great way to connect with people who you can\u2019t see in person.\u00a0 I\u2019ve been using Facetime with friends over the past couple of months, and Zoom every week with family.\u00a0 These video chat services are all free.\u00a0 And it makes a huge difference to be able to have a \u201cface-to-face\u201d conversation, as opposed to emailing or texting.<\/p>\n

If you have older family members who simply can\u2019t figure out video chatting, email also is a great way to stay in touch.\u00a0 Almost everyone has an email account and access to a computer.\u00a0 Email is a great way to check in on folks and let them know that you are thinking about them.<\/p>\n

So, while we can\u2019t see those we love as readily as we would like, we can take advantage of all that technology has to offer.\u00a0 Use video chatting, emailing and texting.\u00a0 They are wonderful ways to stay connected safely<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Develop a Spiritual Practice<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Part of the challenge of the pandemic is that it has left many people feeling hopeless.\u00a0 Our way of life has changed almost overnight.\u00a0 We have gone from freely going about our business to wearing masks in public, social distancing and facing travel restrictions.\u00a0 It has been a major adjustment for folks.\u00a0 And presently, there is no end in sight.\u00a0 As a result, some people understandably are feeling depressed or hopeless due to all this change.<\/p>\n

That is why it is more important than ever to develop a spiritual practice.\u00a0 In fact, I find that the people who mentally suffer the most from the isolation of the pandemic are those who have no spiritual practice.\u00a0 Without a faith or spiritual practice, it is easy to feel like life is random and without meaning.<\/p>\n

If you are suffering mentally from the pandemic, I would encourage you to develop a spiritual practice.\u00a0 It matters little which one.\u00a0 All the major religions \u2013 Christianity, Judaism, Islam and Buddhism \u2013 offer wisdom and comfort in difficult times.<\/p>\n

Take Advantage of Zoom Services and YouTube Videos to Reignite Your Faith<\/strong><\/h3>\n

For myself, these days I take great solace in my Christian faith.\u00a0 My Sunday morning Zoom church service is the most important hour of my week.\u00a0 The sermon and the hymns remind me of what is important: being kind and serving others.<\/p>\n

And when the pastor discusses historic events in the Bible, it reminds me that what we are going through now is really a small blip in history.\u00a0 Humanity has gone through difficult times in the past, and undoubtedly, we will go through difficult times again.\u00a0 The issue is how we deal with those difficulties.<\/p>\n

So, if you are feeling the strain of being cooped up or isolated, I encourage you to reignite your faith.\u00a0 Read inspirational books.\u00a0 Listen to spiritual podcasts or videos.\u00a0 For example, one of my favorite Buddhist meditation teachers is Tara Brach (tarabrach.com<\/a>).\u00a0 I encourage you to try one of her YouTube classes.\u00a0 They are both calming and thought-provoking.<\/p>\n

Being cooped up during this pandemic is a challenge for many.\u00a0 If you are feeling hopeless or depressed by the lifestyle changes that have come with the pandemic, I encourage you to try some of the approaches above.\u00a0 If you do, you may surprise yourself.\u00a0 This difficult period may turn out to be one of the most productive and positive periods of your life.\u00a0 (To read about the ways in which our children are learning valuable life lessons from the pandemic experience, click here<\/a>.)<\/p>\n

Email: meerabelle@meerabelledey.com<\/strong><\/p>\n

To receive my free e-book, “The Confidence Course,” and my weekly newsletter, visit meerabelledey.com<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Recently, more and more of my friends are starting to feel the strain of being cooped up during COVID-19. For instance, I have one friend who is single.\u00a0 He misses the ability to have friends over for dinner or drinks.\u00a0 These days, he feels quite lonely because he is unable to see his friends regularly…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":593,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2286","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nMaking the Most of Being Cooped Up During COVID - Your Morning Cup of Inspiration<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Being cooped up during COVID can be challenging. 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