Routine could save your sanity and keep your family safe in the weeks and months ahead

I know it sounds boring, but the thought of weeks and months of self-isolation is boring at best.  It is potentially deadly at worst, and that’s not because of the Coronavirus.

The real threat is what this may do to the fabric of our society as represented through what happens in the millions of homes in every country over the face of the earth.

There are many ‘homes’ where children are not safe, just as there are many where a partner or family are not safe, because of children or adults who will not respond well to such isolation.

One of our saving graces is the self-care that until a few weeks ago we would read much of.  We don’t see much of that at present.  Everything is about COVID-19.

But to get through this crisis alive — and yes again, that’s nothing about the impact of the virus, and more about remaining intact as a family and as individuals — we will need to really watch our mental health.

Routine is all important — especially in terms of diet (even if our diets will be severely restricted), sleep (which will be difficult because we may end up in all sorts of bad practices), and exercise (which will also be more difficult than it ever has been).

We will need to be especially prayer and mindful of hope in connection with our relationship with God.  We will need to believe that life will return to normal again, even if our world may be remarkably changed for it.

It will be vitally important for each of us to help those who rely on us to maintain some kind of healthy routine, for physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health.

At least in this way we keep what is within our control within our control.  We will not be able to control the losses that are coming, but at least we will stay strong enough to survive.

To attain a good routine and to maintain it will take quite a bit of work and self-discipline, but if we’re to survive these unprecedented times in our own history, we will need to pay close attention to receiving and abiding by God’s help.

God will help us as we help ourselves.  Obviously in saying this I’m mindful of children and adults for whom remaining safe is a mirage.  For those adults who are in charge of households, it will be vital for us to work out a routine that everyone can accept and thrive through.

Routines provide predictability in volatile times.  They give young minds some basis with which to be grounded.  In routine there’s at least some semblance of safety and security.  Routines that provide a means of fun, creativity, rest and peace will help anxious minds and sad hearts.

Photo by Soroush Karimi on Unsplash