If you don’t learn from history, you’re bound to repeat it. We have heard this famous saying, so let us apply it today. We are at the tail end of what some call a global pandemic. So let’s look at some things we could need if a pandemic happened again: the importance of stress management, having a plan, a social circle.
Stress Management
Sometimes, we get so caught up in the moment that we lose sight of the goal. Stress and anxiety can do this to people, and it will not be an exception in a pandemic. Since the pandemic won’t go away in a day, you will have to live in your current situation for some time. Unless you change your environment for the better or accept it, it won’t change. One way to lower stress and anxiety is to remember that God is in control and that “all things work together for the better of them that love God –Rom 8:28.” Does this mean you do nothing? No, you continue to do your best day in and out, but you don’t fear the pandemic because God’s plan will happen. You can limit stress and anxiety by having a plan.
Make A Plan
It is a good idea, no matter when, to have a plan. Plans are no exception during a pandemic when stores might close, items might not be in stock, and prices may rise. To relieve ourselves of stress, we should have a buffer of all necessary tools and goods to allow us time to acquire more goods when we need them. If a store is closed or a good is out of stock, we should use substitution economics. Substitution economics, in short, is when you substitute a good or service for another good or service: e.g., you don’t have spaghetti sauce, so you use tomato sauce, onions, and green pepper to make spaghetti sauce. Using substitution economics will help you when you don’t have a cache of that good. Combining a stockpile of goods and intelligent application of substitution economics will help relieve you through any hard time, not just a pandemic. I will leave you with this; remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Social Circle
People are social, so when a pandemic separates people, it is essential to stay in touch. When people talk to those they care about, they can relieve stress and become more optimistic about the future. It is important to note that relationships with people in trying times can be uplifting and discouraging. Some ways we can stay in touch are through social media and snail-mail. However, sometimes we need to see and talk to people face to face. That is why we should have a group of people going towards the same objective as you.
Living Today
A pandemic is just around the corner, so we better be ready. These three points can help during our vulgar lives. To forget to learn from our past is to waste that time in total. So these are my words of wisdom: go and live in this pandemic. Don’t forget about stress, always have a plan, get some friends.
