I have been trying not to dwell on unseen particles in the
air and on my Amazon boxes. It can be very anxiety provoking especially for those
prone to worry and sadness. How do we
stay safe, healthy AND normal throughout an unknown period of time while we
battle COVID-19? Just as most of us had to do when we were diagnosed with PD,
it’s time to adapt again. I am getting better at it.
What adaptations have you made during the social distancing era?
Zoom is now part of my life. I host a weekly happy hour for friends and one for
relatives. We used it for book club. Even my support groups and fitness classes
are virtual now. Turns out, seeing everyone like they are in the introduction
to The Brady Bunch isn’t all that bad. It is a good way to adapt and carry
on. Another adaptation – I am trading toilet paper and paper towels for items
that I need. For my mental health, watching a morning dove sit on her egg(s) on
a nest in my bedroom windowsill has been calming.
It was a bit tougher to adapt to no family Seder at Passover
(I assume the same will be for those celebrating Easter). Next year, together! Luckily
one of my ‘quarantine buddies’ invited me over to join their abbreviated family
Seder. I am grateful to them. Of course, it is ironic that we observe the
Jewish holiday celebrating freedom at a time when our movements aren’t so free.
However, another lesson of the holiday is that we are all in this together whether
it be the Exodus from Egypt and wondering in the desert for 40 years or flattening
the curve so we can save lives.
If you have read my other blogs, you know I am a hiker. I’ve
taken this new-found time to complete some of the local hikes on my list. There
is a hiking expression that is fit for this occasion: Uphill can’t last forever,
it will level off, then there’s some refreshing downhill. So, this too shall pass,
and it will be refreshing to reconnect and reengage.
During this time, it is also very important to stay focused
on what has worked for your PD journey. Continue to exercise, just adapt to online
classes and/or use equipment at home. Get enough sleep and eat well. All of this will help you power your immune
system. Use meditation techniques and online calming tools to reduce anxiety. Find
a new normal to stay the course.
What adaptations will we continue and what one’s will be
stored for the next challenge we encounter?
Either way, keep adapting and do what’s necessary to nurture your
relationships. Find your normal.
I will be starting to podcast in May. Stay tuned for more information on my
website: https://17branches.org
I’d like to hear from you.
Please leave comments below.
Awesome blog!!
It was a lovely quirky Seder in this strange time in our history and it was all the more special with you there!
Sheryl, As you say we all need to find our “New Normal”. We are very fortunate to have places to live, food to eat and friends to help us through this. It is a battle but not a war. Americans are resilient people. We will get through it. Your suggestions are spot on. Thank you for your insights and I look forward to your podcast.