Summary

The article discusses personal coping mechanisms during the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the comfort found in music, animal crackers, creativity, Irish whiskey, walks, and warm baths.

Abstract

The author reflects on the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and shares their personal strategies for stress relief amidst the chaos. These strategies include listening to music, reminiscing with animal crackers, engaging in creative activities like woodworking and writing, enjoying Irish whiskey, taking long walks, and relaxing in a warm bath. The author emphasizes the importance of being socially responsible by staying home and thanks those who are doing their part. The article concludes with an invitation for readers to share their own coping methods and encourages them to find comfort in simple pleasures during these trying times.

Opinions

The author expresses a longing for comfort and simplicity, reminiscent of childhood, as a way to cope with the stress of the pandemic.
Music is highlighted as a powerful source of comfort and stress relief, with personal anecdotes about its impact on the author and their husband.
The author values creativity and encourages readers to engage in creative hobbies as a form of therapy.
Irish whiskey is presented as a enjoyable way to unwind after a day of physical work, suggesting that moderation and context are important in its consumption.
The article conveys the importance of nature and exercise, even during times of social distancing, for mental and physical well-being.
A warm bath is described as a ritual for relaxation and a symbolic way to wash away stress.
The author expresses gratitude towards those adhering to health guidelines and acknowledges the collective struggle of society during the pandemic.

Animal Crackers, Irish Whiskey, & A Warm Bath

Comforts Amid Chaos

It’s been one of those weeks where I just want to sit in my mother’s lap and have her tell me everything is going to be alright, AND mean it. I want to sit in a large, over-sized rocker for hours, and maybe read a book in the quiet. I want the people who tell you that if you pray hard enough, everything will be alright to be right.

COVID19 has wreaked havoc on the world. People have been directed to stay home and not to gather with others. Non-essential businesses have closed down. Many essential businesses have shortened their hours. Schools have closed. Live entertainment venues have closed their doors and forced creatives to, well, be creative in how they share their talents with the world.

We, as a world, are struggling. We, as humans, are social creatures and as such being home with only those who live with us has become stressful.

Photo by Daniele Levis Pelusi on Unsplash

Are you being socially responsible and staying home except for the essentials? Are you wearing a mask for your protection as well as the protection of others? If so, I thank you. I know it is difficult, but as someone with an immune compromised husband who is on dialysis, I am grateful for your responsibility.

But staying home can be stressful. I’d like to share the things we are doing as stress relief.

MUSIC

As I sit here listening to a “living room concert” by Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood after the ACM ‘Our Country’ special event, I find myself a bit calmer.

Music has been in my life since I was an infant. Mom would put on a stack of classical records when she put me to bed. By the time the stack of records had dropped and finished playing, I would be asleep. I sang in church and school choirs, and I learned piano and violin. I play music when I’m stressed, when I’m melancholy or sad, when I’m happy.

My husband, Thom, lives for music. He is my morning DJ, sometimes letting the system play what ever comes next; other times, he chooses songs that inspire and motivate him or special songs for me.

Music is truly Thom’s medicine. He has pulled up songs on his cell phone in the emergency room, in a doctor’s office, and in the hospital.

Thom’s tattoo — because music is sometimes the best medicine there is.

ANIMAL CRACKERS

The other day I stopped at Tractor Supply Company for dog food, but also found a large container of animal crackers. They bring me back to simpler times of life and of good memories.

But fresh, homemade cookies also do the trick — especially Thom’s chocolate chip cookies. Fresh out of the oven. Still warm.

Oops. Did I get your mouth watering? Sorry. Guess you just might have to go out and make a batch of your favorite cookies.

INDULGING YOUR CREATIVE SIDE

We’ve spent a number of hours out in our wood and craft shop. Thom is a wood turner who can get lost for hours in a single piece of wood. In addition to writing, I enjoy re-purposing glass pieces, cigar boxes, and old silverware.

Two glass sculptures and a necklace made from a spoon from my creative desk in the shop.

You don’t have to go to the extent we do. Coloring on a blank sheet of paper with crayons can be just as therapeutic.

IRISH WHISKEY

As of tonight, the bottle of Irish whiskey that we got for Christmas is gone. We don’t imbibe a great deal, but after two days of working in our shop in the beautiful weather, we are sore and exhausted. Irish whiskey takes the edge off. I love its flavor.

A LONG WALK

Just because we, as a society, are practicing social distancing, doesn’t mean that you can’t get fresh air, sunshine, and exercise. A walk around the block by yourself can put you in a better frame of mind, and as you walk, if you look for signs of spring around you, life can feel a little more hopeful.

A WARM BATH

Sitting in a warm bath with only the light from the battery operated candles is therapeutic, especially with your favorite fragrance-scented bubble bath. Then, my favorite part. I let the water drain out of the tub while I lay there imagining all my troubles, all my frustrations, all my stress racing down the drain with the water.

How about you? What are your comforts in these stressful times? How are you coping?

Thanks for reading.

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Rebecca (Becky) spent 34 years in a teaching career, but when she retired in 2014, she picked up her pen and pursued her passion to write. As a high school English teacher, Becky held the philosophy that she wouldn’t give any writing assignment that she personally wouldn’t or couldn’t do. That philosophy strengthened and broadened her own writing.

In addition to publishing her writing on various platforms, Becky also blogs at Life is for Living, a blog to encourage, motivate, and help others live the best life possible. As an extension of Life is for Living, she also publishes a weekly newsletter, Let’s Chat. (Check it out HERE.) Life is for Living also has a social media presence with the group Coffee on my Porch. (Check it out HERE.)

After teaching writing for 34 years, Becky began Ink & Keyboard, a blog for writers at all levels. She supplements what she writes on the blog with a subscription newsletter, The Writer’s Notebook (Check it out HERE.), the social media group Ink & Keyboard (Check it out HERE.), and a Medium publication Ink & Keyboard (Check it out HERE.).