12 years ago I travelled to Thailand for five and a half months. I flew by myself, stayed by myself, but went to visit and help out some friends who were in Thailand. During this time, being alone without family, (at 19 years old) it took a lot out of me. The lack of physical contact, the lack of english speaking friends, the lack of North American lifestyle and happiness took a toll on me emotionally and psychologically. When I was to return to Edmonton there was a crazy snow storm which grounded many planes if not, at one point, all planes at the Vancouver Airport in December 2008. Vancouver was my last plane ride back home. The total trip ride from Bangkok, Thailand to Edmonton was supposed to be about 22 hours. My parents were going to pick me up from the airport so I didn’t feel that I needed a winter jacket or boots filling up my suitcase. Heading into the summer seasons in Thailand I left Thailand in sandals, a thin white t shirt and (thankfully) blue jeans which is the clothing I ended up wearing at the Vancouver Airport for THREE DAYS.

As I sat at the Vancouver Airport I went from terminal to terminal unable to get on a fight. As soon as my first flight was cancelled I, along with hundreds of other people, were only able to get standby tickets. Flight after missed flight my world started to crumble around me. I stopped counting how many flights I continued to not be able to board after 8 flights. No food, no water, no family, and no money (because I used my credit card to buy a sweater the credit card cancelled my card as it was being used in Vancouver & not Edmonton). People all around me started to panic in fear.

I even “got sick”. I had an infection in my eye, nose and throat (I even lost my voice). I know I had infections because I actually left the airport in an ambulance after panicking to security and returned that evening.

I already lived though a “social distancing” phase. I know what it is like to feel quarantine and, what seems to feel like, “no way out”. So World, I get it. This time, however, it is on a much grander scale but the thing is, there are experiences I learned on that 3 day journey being stuck in the airport that now, at present day, help me. So, with that experience and the start of this one… Here are 10 ways to ease your mind (and home life) during social distancing:

Make a music play list and have it on ALL DAY LONG. Music brings peace to your soul and having a solid play list WORKS! But seriously, choose your songs WISELY. What are your lyrics saying? Go through iTunes or spotify and check out the inspirational section. Find upbeat, soothing songs!

Positive Podcasts. Have you heard of the study about the two plants and one had mean things said to it and it wilted and died whereas the other plant had positive words spoken to it and it flourished. Check out some amazing podcasts about love, not to fear, peace in a fallen world ect. Do some digging and listen to words of wisdom.

Make healthy meals. Food is a BIG DEAL right now and I don’t mean the quantity you have but the quality. Food can trigger hormone imbalances and other nasty things that you do NOT need to be feeling right now. So take the time (because you have lots of it) to make a fun, healthy meals to enjoy.

FaceTime. Serious you need some contact with your loved ones. Keep the community! Whether it’s through facebook messenger or you iPhone/facetime or something else – make a call, texting isn’t going to cut it.

Be Thankful. Have an attitude of gratitude. The best thing that you can do for you mind and soul is to wake up and immediately say something that you are thankful for. Because let’s be honest there is someone, somewhere else that has it way way far worse than you.

Read. You’re telling your kids to read so take your own medicine and read. I mean read a book that you have always wanted to read or been meaning to read not read your Twitter feeds.

Be creative! It looks like puzzles are making a comeback and we do love puzzles but it could even be painting or drawing. Do you remember a number of years ago when adult colouring books were a hit? Well that colouring book sure came in handy the other day for me! I sat at our kitchen table in the sunshine and coloured. No, I wasn’t able to colour a whole page but even just taking that time to be creative was a win.

Play. How often do we send our kids outside while we stay inside and go on social media or clean house? Answer is probably VERY often. It’s time to let-it-go (thanks Elsa) and go outside WITH your kids and play. Build a snowman or play tag or make forts. Your babies are growing up and this is such a unique time to spend investing into them and, intern, your relationship. We decided to buy a giant unicorn costume and go on family walks!

Journal. Pick up a dollar store notepad or start a free blog. Write out what you did that day, the songs you listened to, the FUN things that happened. And set some goals for yourself saying “Tomorrow I’d like to…”. You could even combine being creative with the journaling and draw what you felt that day.

Pray. Always take time for your creator. Your father, Your Friend. Talk to God and He will sustain you (Psalm 55:22).

We are in this together.