Oct 29th, 2020: Impact of Social Distancing

Here are some of the key symptoms that have been caused by social distancing. 

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Anger
• Loneliness
• Feelings of frustration
• Boredom

These indicators tell us that we are relational beings. When we feel disconnected from others, our emotional well-being is compromised. Being alone is not that healthy for us. Our minds, our hearts, and our bodies can be impacted negatively.

Anxiety: We are worried about the future, about sickness and death, about not knowing what to do, where to go, and who to call. 

R: We need to learn to receive every single day of our life as a gift. Tomorrow belongs to God, and we need to make the best of today. Some people can use our help.

Depression: When we dwell in negative thoughts all day long, it is easy to be depressed. 

R: We might want to reach out to someone we trust. Share our thoughts and feelings. Share our doubts and our hope.

Anger: Being told what to do and how to behave makes us feel as if we are not in control. That by itself will induce a lot of anger.

R: We either believe that some people are out to get us or everyone is trying the best they can with what they know. We will lose more control over what is beneficial by being angry.

Loneliness: We are already lonely in some ways without COVID-19. Social distancing only adds to our existing loneliness.

R: Make sure that we differentiate between being alone and being lonely. The roots of loneliness are not Covid-19 alone. We need to be more open to explore these roots. Sometimes it can be our false understanding of ourselves. Sometimes it can be our perception of happiness. 

Feeling of frustration: We cannot do what we usually do. We feel helpless , and that is frustrating. There is so much we want to get done, and yet we feel as if we accomplished very little.

R: The fact is that we are not alone in dealing with these restrictions. We might want to learn to enjoy simple things in life. The real greatness might depend on how we manage ourselves daily. 

Boredom: Our minds wander more often if we don't have a concrete plan for our day. Sometimes we don't feel like we make a difference. We lose our motivation to do much of anything.

R: It is time to discover our creativity. Read books that we have never read before. Do things with our hands. Learn to fix things. Learn to make things.

Ephesians 4: 9

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."

Hebrews 10: 24-25

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."