The content from this blog was originally presented in a webinar entitled “Coping Through the Chaos of COVID.”

The COVID-19 quarantine has greedily robbed us of many things that are important to us: people we love, jobs we need, activities we enjoy. Even our experience of what remains “untouched” by the quarantine can at times be tainted.

Why is this? Let’s examine some of those factors underpinning this difficult season and what we can do to shift our experience.

Furthermore, let’s start by examining the concept of capacity. Capacity is literally defined as “the maximum amount that something can contain.”

Think, the fluid capacity of my water bottle is 24 ounces. It is limited to that amount of water.

Anything more and it starts to overflow. Likewise, we humans have a capacity limit as well.

But, here’s where it gets tricky: our capacity is not inscribed on us, like a water bottle. Capacity varies from person to person.

And to make it even more complicated, a person’s capacity is never the same for long. It’s always changing.

Additionally, in order to adapt the concept of capacity to humans, we need to start with a new definition. For our purposes we’ll define capacity as our ability to manage what life throws at us in a healthy, godly way.

When our capacity is strong, we find we can handle the stresses of life. When our capacity is compromised, we experience life as harder and more stressful. We don’t always have a Godly response.

For many of us the quarantine is taking a toll on our capacity. How so?

Well, let’s just look at one piece of the pie and talk about loss for a moment. What are the losses you have experienced during COVID? Loss of:

Normal, routine life
Family or friends through death
Job
Finances
Connection with friends and family

The list of losses goes on and on. Every loss we have experienced at the hands of COVID has the potential to diminish our capacity.

This in turn can affect our emotional wellness, our relationships, and sometimes our faith. So if you’ve noticed yourself acting differently, with more edginess, less energy, more anxiety than normal or less motivation, remind yourself that it’s hard to be your normal self when life is so abnormal.

Additionally, another factor affecting our capacity is the social distancing element of COVID. Not being able to be in the physical presence of friends and family has left people feeling more lonely than before.

Keep in mind, we have grandparents that can’t see, let alone hug their grandchildren. Single folks who can no longer hangout with friends.

People in nursing homes can’t receive visitors. As being created after the image of the triune God, we are designed for relationships.

Expanding Our Capacity

So, what should we do if we notice our capacity is compromised? There are definite ways to expand our capacity that are taught through our Christian counseling services.

One practice one could take up is learning to engage in wise, biblical self-care can help restore some of our capacity. As we do so, we ought to think holistically, considering how to best care for mind, body and soul.

First, we need to slow down and recognize the impact that the quarantine has had on us. This requires allowing oneself to feel and honestly acknowledge those feelings.

In Psalm 69:1-4 David acknowledged his desperation and fear to God: “Save me, O God! For the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in deep mire, where there is no foothold; I have come into deep waters, and the flood sweeps over me.

I am weary with my crying out; my throat is parched. My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God.” God both invites our desperate cries and calls us to trust Him.

Second, we need to connect with God in deeper, more intimate ways. If we are not abiding with him, we will not be bearing fruit in this season.

Additionally, in the scramble to recalibrate our routines and schedules of quarantine, we may have pushed our time of prayer and reading Scripture to the margins. If we do not live on the Word of God, our capacity will surely be diminished.

Third, we need to experience connection to others. The potential for loneliness during this time is devastating.

Ask yourself, how can we engage in self care to address this? Well, you are either lonely, or you know someone who is lonely.

Regardless of which position you find yourself in, reach out. If you’re feeling lonely, to whom can you text, call, email or write a letter? If you’re not lonely, think of at least one person who could benefit from hearing you.

If you do not know where to start or maybe how to, reach out to our Christian counseling services in West Chester. And if you’ve already been reaching out, continue to do so.

Tending to our Physical Bodies

Finally, we need to tend to and care for our physical bodies. In 1 Kings 19 we see Elijah literally running for his life from Queen Jezebel.

He is physically exhausted and emotionally overwhelmed and asks God to “take away [his] life.” Elijah sleeps, an angel delivers him food, he rests again and again the angel provides him food.

It is after he has recuperated and rested that God comes to speak to Elijah. In this situation of Elijah’s despondency and extreme exhaustion God chooses to tend to his body and mind first before addressing him.

Here are some self-care tips:

Prayer and alone time with God - If you have not slowed down to reflect on the impact this season has had on you, grab a journal and get alone. Talk with God.

Sleep - If you’re having trouble sleeping there are a lot of great sleep hygiene tips, including no screen time for at least 30 minutes before bed, If you’re having trouble relaxing at night Google “Progressive Muscle Relaxation.”

Diet - How is your nutrition during COVID? I know I hit the sugar hard when I’m stressed. Make sure your food intake is staying balanced.

Connection with others - Some of you may be very connected with others, but you’re often the one pouring into others. Who can you connect with that can pour into you?

Exercise - There are some very creative quarantine workouts you can do from home. An intense workout can boost our mood for several hours.

Get outside - There’s a Swiss saying that goes something like: “There’s no bad weather, just inappropriate clothing.”

Even 15 minutes outside can be beneficial to health and wellness. Find beauty as Spring blooms. Soak it in, and remind yourself that we will emerge from the hibernation of quarantine.