Between the political climate and the pandemic currently in the United States, it’s likely that many of us are experiencing a tough time. According to a Harris Poll survey taken on behalf of the American Psychological Association (APA), 67 percent of adults said that the government’s response to the pandemic was a “significant source” of stress.
Let’s be honest—we’re all going through a hard time right now, what alone if you’re also dealing with a crossway in your life on top of everything. Recent graduates didn’t get to properly celebrate, healthy people are worried about the possibility of contracting this scary virus, and a large swath of our country needs to prepare for surviving a hurricane. Check out these four great options to help you through this tough time:
Focus on Your Health
There’s not a lot more stressful during a pandemic than worrying that your health insurance won’t cover you if you get sick and require medical care. Luckily, by looking into short term health insurance plans, you can find peace of mind that you will be covered if you get sick or injured. Short-term plans are great for health insurance coverage for otherwise healthy people that are without health insurance, between insurance companies, or are looking for a cheaper alternative to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans.
Keep in mind that, unlike a lot of plans under the Affordable Care Act, most of these short-term plans will not cover things such as maternity, mental health services, or preexisting medical conditions (they’re intended more for healthy people). However, if you are in good health, this could be the ideal solution for you if you missed an open enrollment period or are in a waiting period for a more permanent health insurance plan.
These short-term plans cover emergency services, and, in some cases, will cover prescription drugs to keep you covered in case you get sick or injured and require medical services. Under the Trump administration, these short-term plans now count as medical coverage and you can no longer receive penalties for having a short-term plan as opposed to an ACA medical plan. While you will pay higher prices for deductibles with short-term medical insurance, you will always have the peace of mind that you have health coverage if you require medical care.
Focus on Your Faith or Spirituality
According to Dr. Kirsten Bradbury, in her article published in Psychology Today earlier this year, faith and spirituality can provide a great sense of comfort in trying times (especially in the grieving process). If you’re of the Christian faith and desire to grow closer to God, then consider purchasing some paperback bibles. Cokesbury has a variety of Bible texts including New Testament Bibles, paperback Bibles, ESV Bibles, large print Bibles, the good news translation, and Bibles approved by the American Bible Society.
Whether it’s a new Bible for small group Bible studies, a worship Bible, or a paperback edition of the full ESV Bible; you’re sure to find something to meet your needs at Cokesbury. Here you’ll find paperback Bibles in the following Bible translations: New Testament, ESV, NIV, NRVS, KJV, NKJV, NLT, and the Common English Bible.
Find a New Hobby
Being in a slump can be the best time to find a new sense of joy in your life. Maybe try surfing lessons for beginners to learn the basics of surfing from instructors with a passion for the sport ready to teach surf lessons at all skill levels. The beginner surf lesson will teach the beginner surfer the basics of surfing and help them catch their first wave. Surfing could be the ideal hobby for someone struggling as the surf instructors at Ohana Surf Project also teach the “mental, emotional, and spiritual elements” of surfing to get you in touch with nature and the beauty of the sport.
These surf lessons are customizable for your skill level (private lessons are available for beginners and those who cannot swim) and a surfboard will be provided for the surf lesson. So, if you’ve been surfing before, but have been on a bit of a “surf break” they are ready to help you pick it up again. All surf instructors are CPR, First Aid, and Lifeguard certified and are enthusiastic surfers themselves sure to know the best surf spots. The surf school surf instructors are willing to provide extra private lessons (private lessons can be provided on request, either way) considering the COVID-19 pandemic as well. Check out their website for promotions and information about being a beginner to surfing! If you want also to learn how to ride on the diagonal check out this post by Ombe.
Make Time for Self-Care
A recent article from the Mayo Clinic noted how living through this time of “dual pandemics” (COVID-19 and “social unrest caused by racism”) can pose a threat to our mental health. According to Dr. Taylor-Desir (who was interviewed for the Mayo Clinic piece), it is important to “make a real effort in self-care” as a way to get control when we can’t control the world around us.
For example, according to the Psychology Today article previously mentioned, doing something creative to express yourself in times of distress can have a “wide range of benefits.” This article also notes that in times of grief and crisis, self-care can take a hit and that’s ok. The best option is to focus on nutrition, sleep, and compassion with yourself until you’re ready to take proper care of yourself again.
If you’re struggling with your mental health care, utilizing online tools such as virtual therapy sessions and group video chats can be a great option for getting help and staying connected.
